NAACP: Tuberville ‘embarrasses’ Alabama with reparations comment, should apologize
The Alabama State Chapter of the NAACP has joined others in criticizing remarks Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville made Saturday night linking “reparation” with what he said was the Democratic Party’s support for crime.
“We encourage all Alabamians that are disgusted with Mr. Tuberville’s MAGA rhetoric and want to see change to join the Alabama NAACP in demanding he issue an apology,” Benard Simelton, President of Alabama NAACP, said in a news release.
Others have labeled the statements Tuberville made at a rally with former President Donald Trump in Nevada as racist, including former Sen. Doug Jones and former Democratic Party Chair Chris England. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels called Tuberville’s statement “insane.” Tuberville has not responded to requests for comment about the firestorm caused by his statements that the Democratic Party supported crime, remarks he made during a speech supporting Republican candidates in Nevada.
“They’re not soft on crime,” Tuberville said “They’re pro-crime. They want crime. They want crime because they want to take over what you got. They want to control what you have. They want reparation because they think the people that do the crime are owed that.”
The Alabama NAACP said Tuberville’s words were aimed at Black citizens.
“In America, when we talk about reparations, the majority of the time is about African Americans, so there is no mistake about whom he was speaking,” the organization said in its statement. “His rhetoric completely embarrasses all the citizens of Alabama. It is evident that he no longer represents all of Alabama and has dedicated himself to the MAGA crowd that applauds racist, ignorant, and polarizing speeches.”
According to the Associated Press, the Democratic Party has not taken a position on reparations, which would be some form of compensation for Americans who are descendants of slaves. Some Democrats, including President Biden, support the creation of a commission to study the idea.
The Alabama NAACP asked athletes who played for Tuberville during his time as a college football coach to speak out. Karlos Dansby, who played for Auburn under Tuberville before a long NFL career, called Tuberville’s statements “unnecessary, dead wrong, ugly.”
“We are calling on all those who support an Alabama that is welcoming to all to join with the Alabama NAACP in calling on Senator Tuberville to issue an immediately sincere and thorough apology,” the NAACP said. “Additionally, we ask those football players who made him a recognized name to follow suit in asking him to issue a sincere apology.”