Shelby County Republicans voice support for Black lawmaker GOP says was target of racial slur

The Shelby County Republican Party on Tuesday came to the defense of Alabama’s only Republican Black state lawmaker, who the GOP claimed was indirectly called the N-word by a Black Democrat.

In talking to Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R-Pelham, while debating Paschal’s parental rights bill earlier this month, state Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, made a reference to the lyrics of the Jay-Z song, “The Story of O.J.” The song repeatedly uses a form of the N-word. Givan, however, did not fully quote the lyrics, or say the N-word and did not directly call Paschal the word, according to a video of the exchange.

“When Jay-Z penned that song, he penned that song for a time such as this,” Givan said during her exchange with Paschal on the House floor. “Do you want me to sing it? Because I don’t have a problem with it. I can stand by anything I say. But I think there’s enough people here today that have Googled it.

“Still one. Still one. Still one. Don’t matter how you come in here, when you leave here, you still one,” Givan continued. “When you sit down, you still one. When you get up, you still one. When you go to bed at night, you still one. When you look in the mirror at yourself, you still one. That’s the story of O.J. Light-skinned, dark-skinned, you still one. You’re going to always be one when you walk up in here, and every day you wake up. Don’t you ever forget that.”

The state Republican Party demanded an apology from Givan over her remarks. The Democrat declined, adding that GOP policies hurt Black people and other minorities.

“I remain unapologetic for exercising my right to free speech. Republicans are the ones who owe me and the people of Alabama an apology for trying to silence me and those who strongly disagree with their misguided agenda that hurts people of color, women, and other minority and marginalized groups.

“As I remain unapologetic, I will not be silenced. I will continue to defend democracy. I await your apology.”

Paschal accused Givan of being angry at him because he is a Black Republican.

“I will never be bullied or insulted into apologizing for what I am - a God-fearing conservative and military veteran who believes in the U.S. Constitution and the right of every person to live their lives free from government overreach. No person should have their race or skin color questioned or attacked simply because they choose to think for themselves, and if a Republican made the same statements, the condemnation from the media would have been swift and permanent. This incident is yet another example of the Democrats’ nationwide pattern of disrupting the decorum of legislative proceedings.”

On Tuesday, the Shelby County GOP added to the chorus of Republican voices who stood behind Paschal over the dispute. Paschal’s district is located in Shelby County.

“The Shelby County Republican Party stands behind all our legislative members. However, we feel it is important to voice our support for one of our newest members, Rep. Kenneth Paschal, who as the only minority Republican House member, faces challenges other members do not, especially from those who oppose his views,” the party said in a statement issued Tuesday. “Yet, Rep. Paschal treats those who agree with him, as well as those who disagree, with dignity and respect, regardless of how he is treated in return.

“We understand that Rep. Paschal and other minority Republicans face uphill battles both now and in the future. We are proud and appreciative, but not surprised, of the way Rep. Paschal represents his district and the Republican Party,” the statement continued. “He continues to display the character expected when he was elected. Thank you, Rep. Paschal.”