CLEVELAND, Ohio – State Sen. Steve Huffman, a Dayton-area Republican, has been fired from his position as an emergency room doctor after using racist language to question whether people of color are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus because of poor hygiene.
During a Tuesday hearing on declaring racism a public health crisis, Huffman asked Angela Dawson, executive director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, if the “colored population” were more susceptible to coronavirus “because they do not wash their hands as well as other groups.” A statement from TeamHealth, a health professional contractor who employed Huffman as an emergency room physician, said Thursday that Huffman had been fired for his line of questioning during the hearing of the Senate Health Committee.
“Dr. Huffman’s comments are wholly inconsistent with our values and commitment to creating a tolerant and diverse workplace,” said McHenry Lee, a TeamHealth spokesman. “TeamHealth has terminated Dr. Huffman’s employment.”
The word “colored” is almost universally considered offensive. A long-held racist characterization of black people and other minorities as “dirty” has long been used by racists as an example of white superiority.
Huffman’s comments received immediate condemnation, especially as the country is currently engulfed in a debate over racial inequity. Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and Huffman’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Huffman said earlier Thursday he phrased the question in an “unintentionally awkward” way.
"I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons,” Huffman said.
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation called on Huffman to resign Thursday afternoon.
In a Facebook post later Thursday afternoon, Huffman apologized for his verbiage.
“I had absolutely no malicious intent, but I recognize that my choice of words was unacceptable and hurtful,” Huffman said. “I apologize, and I make no excuses.”
Huffman, of Tipp City, was first elected to the Statehouse in 2014 as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. He won election to the Ohio Senate’s 5th District in 2018, which includes all or parts of Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Darke counties.
Read more cleveland.com politics coverage:
Dr. Amy Acton resigns as Ohio Department of Health director
Gov. Mike DeWine expands coronavirus testing to all Ohioans
Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown decries calls for business liability relief in COVID-19 legislation
Ohio lawmakers give final OK to $1.2B for construction projects, $350M in federal coronavirus aid
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