A Manchester House Representative has apologized for repeatedly using a racial slur in speaking with a young Black activist at the State House after he testified last month, but it came late and sounded hollow to the BIPOC community.
Rep. Nicole Klein Knight, D-Manchester, was removed from the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee after members of the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community organizers made the matter public in a letter.
Klein Knight sent the young man an apology Tuesday.
“I immediately regretted it, and agree that no one should be using that language, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart for the pain it has caused,” Klein Knight wrote. “If you ever want to have a discussion with me about this I will be more than happy to do so, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Klein Knight is in her second term. She said she remained silent until House officials finished their inquiry.
A dozen members of the BIPOC community issued a news release Tuesday about Klein Knight’s apology, saying the situation has revealed the depths of racism in the New Hampshire State House, and on all sides of the aisle with House members and others weighing in on social media.
“Two weeks later, these same Democratic Representatives are still insulting and gaslighting us, choosing to betray the same organizers from whom they sought endorsements for their campaigns,” the release said.
“However, the response did not contain an actual apology, evident by Rep. Klein Knight refusing to take ownership of her usage of the word, neglecting to communicate genuine remorse, and victim-blaming the young Black man who was harmed by her actions,” the release said.
The release was signed by Sebastian Fuentes, Deborah Opramolla, Asma Elhuni, Clifton West, Marcus Ponce de Leon, Jordan Thompson, Carlos Cardona, Alissandra Rodriguez-Murray, Emma Shapiro-Weiss, Grace Kindeke, Erika Perez and Duaa Zahra.
Klein Knight invalidated her apology by tweeting about being unfairly judged, the release said.
“A genuine apology must communicate sincere empathy, remorse and a promise to learn from the mistake. Someone who is truly apologetic does not scorn or blame those they hurt. We send this statement to make it clear that Rep. Klein Knight has not made things right.
“Accountability is love in action. We must have the collective courage to confront what is wrong and unjust with unflinching, honest love.”