Doctor Suggests 'Colored' People Don't Wash As Much

Just to show that racism isn’t a stupid man’s disease, there’s ER doctor and Ohio state Senator … and a Republican, because, of course … . Steve Huffman. Huffman was recently fired from his position at TeamHealth, a firm that outsources health care providers to medical facilities, after suggesting that “the colored population” don’t wash their hands as well as others.

In 2020. A doctor. Colored population.

The racist Republican lawmaker—and why is he still in office—made that comment during a hearing on whether racism ought to be declared a public health crisis in Ohio, during which he asked Ohio Commission on Minority Health executive director Angela Dawson, a black woman, why there were higher rates of COVID-19 infections among black Americans, and said:

“Could it just be that African Americans—the colored population—do not wash their hands as well as other groups?”

After being fired, and saying some word salad garbage about his question being  asked in an “unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful” Huffman issued a fuller apology via Facebook:

“At a legislative committee hearing on Tuesday, I used an insensitive and offensive term while asking a question. I had absolutely no malicious intent, but I recognize that my choice of words was unacceptable and hurtful. I apologize, and I make no excuses.”

No malicious intent in suggesting that colored people don’t wash their hands because, well, colored. In 2020.

I think the Ohio Senate needs to ask someone to pack his racism and go.