No More Racism In Kansas

Petition to remove Rep. Connie O'Brien, of Kansas, from office:

Rep. Connie O'Brien (of District 42 in Kansas) has shown her true colors. In a discussion of the Kansas House Federal and State Committee, Rep. O'Brien spoke in favor of repealing a law that allowed for "in-state tuition being granted to the children of undocumented immigrants." She recounted an anecdote of taking one of her children (of which she has 11) to fill out the Federal Application For Student Aid to help pay his college. The lawmaker, of course, made too much money, and the son's application was rejected.

She spoke additionally of a young woman in the line with them who was being approved, and that (and this is a direct quote):

"My son whos a Kansas resident, born here, raised here, didnt qualify for any financial aid. Yet this girl was going to get financial aid. My son was kinda upset about it because he works and pays for his own schooling and his books and everything and he didnt think that was fair. We didnt ask the girl what nationality she was, we didnt think that was proper. But we could tell by looking at her that she was not originally from this country."

When asked to explain how she could "tell by looking" that this person was illegal, and undeserving of such assistance, she went on to say:

"Well she wasnt black, she wasnt Asian, and she had the olive complexion."

The district Rep. O'brien represents, District 42, is located in northeastern Kansas, incorporating parts of Leavenworth County, including the Cities of Linwood, Tonganoxie, Lansing, and Leavenworth, along with the Townships of Alexandria, High Prairie, Reno, Sherman, Stranger, Tonganoxie and Delaware.

District 42 has a total population of around 20,878. (info taken from Rep. O'Brien's Website).

While this is especially embarrassing for the constituents in her district, it is embarrassing for ALL Kansans. We, as a state, already have a poor enough reputation in the midwest alone, let alone in the eyes of the entire country. To have elected lawmakers that are so blatantly and overtly racist is shaming for our entire state.

To add insult to injury, rather than submitting a timely apology, the lawmaker has refused to apologize, saying she's been told she's "got olive complexion..." and will not apologize until she's "had time to think."

To not only be so embarrassingly prejudiced in an official capacity (the event happened in a Committee Meeting), but to then refuse to acknowledge the wrongness of her actions, is monstrous, and Rep. O'Brien should resign from her post immediately, for the protection and dignity of ALL Kansans.

For more info on the incident, use this link:
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/02/15/ks-gop-rep-obrien/