This has been a rough week for Republican Florida state Sen. Frank Artiles. On Monday, in what can only be described as a terrible lapse in judgment, if not an outright racist/sexist fit, he used the words “niggas,” “bitch,” and “girl” in an outburst with his black colleagues. Then on Wednesday, he fumbled an apology, using the excuse that he grew up in a diverse community. Today, amid mounting pressure, he resigned:
“My actions and my presence in government is now a distraction to my colleagues, the legislative process, and the citizens of our great State,” Artiles wrote. “I am responsible and I am accountable and effective immediately, I am resigning from the Florida State Senate.
“It’s clear there are consequences to every action, and in this area, I will need time for personal reflection and growth.”
Let this be a lesson that some language, no matter how “down” you think you are with any community, is deeply offensive and inappropriate for certain environments. And frankly, calling a woman a “bitch” and “girl” is usually not okay in any context—especially when you are a lawmaker. Good riddance. This clears the way for a special election and a Democrat to fill his seat. And we need all the seats we can get. So far this makes Bill O’Reilly out at Fox and Frank Artiles out in the Florida state Senate. Looks like Republicans, racists and misogynists seem to be having a horrible, no good, very bad week.
Read the full resignation letter here.