State Senator Kevin Parker, who shocked pretty much everyone when he called his Republican colleagues "racists" and "white supremacists" last week (and stood by those remarks), decided to apologize yesterday. Sort of. The Brooklyn Democrat started, "To the extent that my words last week brought commotion and emotion to this house in ways that may distract or divert us from the important work of the people of New York State, work that’s so important for all of us. I offer my sincerest apologies for my zealous advocacy."
But then he added, "But to the extent that my words bring debate and discussion to this house on the issue of race and exclusion. I offer my sincerest commitment to continue that debate and that discussion, and ask you to be partners in that debate," and "I can't see into anyone's soul, and I should not have personalized my comments because the issues I spoke about are larger than just one individual or group."
City Room reports that Parker claimed he received death threats over his remarks.
