The election of Donald Trump seemed to have removed all inhibitions from racists who believe they no longer have to hide. What this mayor did to disrespect a Latino councilman was no accident.
Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell called Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler ‘Boy’
Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell may believe that he is living in Jim Crow America. He called Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler ‘boy’ disrespectfully. The mayor was attempting to hurry through a contract.
“I haven’t had an opportunity to speak yet,” Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler said interrupting the rushing mayor.
“Well, you better speak up, boy,” Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell replied.
“Excuse me?” Wheeler said in disgust. ”
“Excuse you,” The mayor responded defiantly.
“No, that’s very offensive,” Wheeler replied. “I am a Council Member of the city. Don’t call me boy.”
“Act like it,” the mayor interjected with continued defiance.
“Because I am trying to speak on an ordinance?” Wheeler replied.
“In a timely manner,” the mayor shouted.
“I barely had the opportunity to speak,” Wheeler replied.
“Talk,” the mayor continued. “Now is your opportunity.”
“Don’t talk to me like that again,” Wheeler replied assertively. “Don’t call me boy again.”
“That’s almost a threat,” the mayor said. “That sounds like a threat.”
The councilman did not bite.
“You called me boy,” the councilman replied. “That is very disrespectful. I am not threatening you.”
“You’ve got about one minute to get started,” said the mayor.
“Um, it’s incredible,” the councilman said in disbelief. “I mean at the level of respect on this council. That you are going to call council members, boy.”
“You are a prime member of that,” the mayor replied.
According to the Houston Chronicle,
After Wheeler finished his comments about the contract, Isbell seemed to relent, saying, “You’re right, council member, and that was a slip of the tongue on the ‘boy.’ ”
Wheeler later said the mayor had not apologized since the meeting. Isbell did not respond to messages seeking comment. It was no mere slip of the tongue to Pat Gonzales, who said she and other Hispanics had been insulted by the mayor on numerous occasions.
She harkened back to a 2014 council meeting when she said Isbell forced a north-side constituent to deliver a grievance about flooding in broken English rather than let her translate for him. Councilman Ornaldo Ybarra recalled the episode, too. The “boy” comment “was him being racist, being bold and being cocky,” Gonzales said. “And he doesn’t care.”
She is among the plaintiffs in the voting rights lawsuit.
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