The Alabama Republican Party has asked a Black Democratic lawmaker to apologize for referencing a song, which repeatedly uses a form of the N-word, during an exchange with the only Black Republican in the 105-member House.

Rep. Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham said she would not apologize and stood by her comments.

Givan was speaking to Rep. Kenneth Paschal of Pelham during debate over Paschal’s bill on parental rights. Democrats spoke in opposition to Paschal’s bill, which the House eventually set aside without taking a vote.

In talking to Paschal she made a reference to the lyrics of the song, “The Story of O.J.” by Jay-Z, which the song repeatedly uses a form of the N-word. Givan, however, did not fully quote the lyrics, or say the N-word and did not directly call Paschal the word, according to a video of the exchange.

“When Jay-Z penned that song, he penned that song for a time such as this,” Givan said during her exchange with Paschal on the House floor. “Do you want me to sing it? Because I don’t have a problem with it. I can stand by anything I say. But I think there’s enough people here today that have Googled it.

“Still one. Still one. Still one. Don’t matter how you come in here, when you leave here, you still one. When you sit down, you still one. When you get up, you still one. When you go to bed at night, you still one. When you look in the mirror at yourself, you still one. That’s the story of O.J. Light-skinned, dark-skinned, you still one. You’re going to always be one when you walk up in here, and every day you wake up. Don’t you ever forget that.”

After those comments, Givan returned to her seat. Paschal remained at one of the mics on the House floor and did not respond. Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle called up the next speaker and debate on the bill continued until it was carried over.

Today, the state Republican Party issued a statement by Party Chair John Wahl calling for Givan to apologize.

“There is no place for bigotry or racial slurs in any part of our local, state, or federal government,” Wahl said. “Kenneth Paschal is a father, son, friend, loved one, veteran, man of faith, and duly elected representative and does not deserve to be racially attached on the house floor. The Alabama Republican Party strongly condemn Representative Juandalynn Givan of District 60 for her premeditated and inappropriate statements toward a fellow member of the Alabama House of Representatives. I call on her to apologize to Representative Kenneth Paschal immediately.”

“The people of Alabama expect their elected officials to behave in a manner becoming of that high privilege,” Wahl said. “Rep. Paschal was vulgarly referred to as a term that is beneath the dignity and respect of any human being. We cannot stand by and allow this honorable gentleman who served in uniform and continue to serve as a public servant with duty and commitment to be treated and referenced so vilely in violation of House Chamber decorum,” he continued.

The statement went on: “The Alabama Republican Party is honored to represent Alabamians from across all racial and ethnic backgrounds. We value every conservative voice and will continue to work for them to Strengthen Alabama and Restore America. We are committed to standing with the people of Alabama in defending their civil liberties and their inalienable dignity. We hold firmly to the belief all men are created equal and that all men should be judged based on the content of their character, not by the color of their skin as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr so eloquently reminded us. We encourage freedom of thought and the coming together of diverse vantage points of life.”

Givan said she would not apologize and called on Wahl to apologize to her for actions taken by the Republican Party that she said were hurtful and demeaning to Black people.

“I have a right to debate in that chamber and I have a right to defend democracy,” Givan said. “And that is what I did.”

Givan said she had mentioned “The Story of O.J.” several times previously on the House floor.

“That was not my first time referencing that song,” Givan said. “So if they interpreted that song the way they did, then they should be apologetic themselves, because it’s a matter of interpretation. So, the question today I leave you with is, how did they interpret it?”

Givan also issued a written statement, saying, “In response to recent calls from the ALGOP for me to apologize for referring to song lyrics from ‘The Story of O.J.’ by Jay Z during a recent debate over legislation In the Alabama House of Representatives, I am the one calling on the AL GOP to apologize to me for mischaracterizing my statements and asking me to apologize. This is merely another alt-right Republican distraction as they seek to cloture debate and disenfranchise those who do not agree with their toxic and extremist conservative views.

“As a female black legislator duly elected by the people of Alabama House District 60 and as a legislator committed to being the voice of the people I am honored to represent, I remain unapologetic for exercising my First Amendment right to speak.

“I made reference to a rap song by a Black rapper which I have mentioned several times previously, on the House floor without any prior objection, because it was germane to the discussion of the bill. This is because the discussion dealt with our fundamental rights, such as the fact that all people are created equal and endowed with the same rights by their Creator. All deserve equal protection under the law, especially including the sacred right to vote in our democracy.

“I remain unapologetic for exercising my right to free speech. Republicans are the ones who owe me and the people of Alabama an apology for trying to silence me and those who strongly disagree with their misguided agenda that hurts people of color, women, and other minority and marginalized groups.

“As I remain unapologetic, I will not be silenced. I will continue to defend democracy. I await your apology.”