Racial slur used against Asian American candidate mars Michigan primary

MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Representatives Stephanie Chang, left, and Bettie Cook Scott

A MICHIGAN LAWMAKER apologized for making racial slurs against her Asian American opponent in the race for the Democratic nomination for state Senate District 1.

State Rep. Bettie Cook Scott drew fire for calling using the old "ching-chong" insult against  Rep. Stephanie Chang, who eventually won the Aug. 7 primary contest for the state Senate. Scott came in third.

Scott issued an apology Thursday (Aug. 17) after she was heard the using "ching-chong" slur on election day and saying that she was disgusted “seeing Black people holding signs for these Asians and not supporting their own people."

She was telling voters to not vote for "ching-chong," and was confronted by Chang's husband, Sean Gray, who is African American.

Gray said that Scott called him a "fool" for marrying Chang.

Through her lawyer Bill Noakes, Scott's apology continued: “Those are not the kinds of comments that should be made nor are they the kind of comments I would normally make,”

“I humbly apologize to Rep. Chang and to her husband, Mr. Gray, and to the broader Asian American community."

“These comments are offensive to all Asian Americans,” Chang told the Detroit Metro Times. “It isn’t about me. It’s about an elected official disrespecting entire populations, whether they be Asian American, immigrant, or residents of Sen. District 1 or (Cook’s) own current House district.”

The Democratic Party and community groups responded harshly to Scott's statements and called for an apology to Chang and to voters.

"If an individual doesn’t share our fundamental values of tolerance, decency, and respect, they should find another party." said Democratic Party chairman Brandon Dillon said in a statement Thursday.

Chang plans to meet with Scott next week.

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