Gibbons comes down hard on Garcia remark

Terry Webster

Friday, July 28, 2000 | 11:15 a.m.

Congressman Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., is joining the long list of critics who are upset about a racial remark used by Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia during a radio broadcast.

In a letter released this morning, Gibbons criticizes Garcia for making a statement that has offended people not only in Las Vegas, but throughout the country.

Gibbons wrote that Garcia's remark "simply has no place in our modern society. Furthermore, your decision to use such inappropriate language during a public forum is inexcusable for someone charged with the responsibility of serving as a role model for our students and as a representative of our community."

Additionally, Gibbons chastised Garcia for his political clumsiness.

"As a member of Congress who represents the Clark County School District, I have fought hard to obtain federal funding to support the schools of Clark County in their work to provide a high quality education to our students," Gibbons wrote. "Consequently, having respect for the leader of the Clark County School District is something I take very seriously ... It is my hope that you will serve as a superintendent with high moral character that our community and students can respect."

Garcia's comments in the Wednesday broadcast struck a sour chord that is resounding through the community.

Garcia, who apologized profusely for the remark, made it clear Thursday he wishes he could rewind it and erase it. But the comment already aired over television and radio stations, shocked and outraged many people.

"I would like to extend a profound apology to anyone in our community who I have, in any way, offended by my comments condemning racism," said Garcia, who began leading the district, the country's sixth largest, on July 5. "My intent was to take a bold stance against racism. To illustrate my opposition, I used emotionally laden terminology. I sincerely regret that my choice of words offended others."

In the radio broadcast, Garcia said he abhors bigotry, then added: "I never see colors. To me, people are people. I always say this, and it sounds strange. Niggers come in all colors, and a nigger is someone who doesn't respect themselves or any others. Everybody has them."

Garcia said Thursday that one of the reasons he has worked in education for the past 26 years is to do everything he can to eradicate racism.

"I believe that education is without a doubt the best instrument to achieve this end," he said.

For some of the taxpayers attending the packed Clark County School Board meeting, his apology seemed enough.

"I'm not going to attack you," said Beatrice Turner. "Some people are going to take this and blow it all out of proportion. We need to give you a chance."

Many of the speakers said they hope the remark will be used to prompt dialogue on racism and to "let the healing begin."

Others made it clear, however, that Garcia's apology wasn't enough.

State Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, chairman of the Assembly's Education Committee, said there was nothing amusing about it.

"I went to one or two receptions to welcome Mr. Garcia and I was glad to welcome him," said Williams. "What do we get in return for that? A demeaning attitude that affects children and families."

Like Gibbons, Williams questioned how Garcia could make remarks that offend people who hold the purse strings of the school district.

After the meeting Thursday a Las Vegas teacher said the comment was bad enough to make her consider leaving the school district.

"It really shows the caliber of a person who would use a term like that," said Anese Nuriddin, a second grade teacher. "Everyone knows it's negative and insulting. He needs to go back to wherever he came from. He is not professional."

One point all of the public speakers appeared to agree on was that Garcia's use of the slur was inappropriate, even in a statement against racism.

An exception to that stance was made by a Rancho High School student.

Mariana Kihuen said the term can be used by hard-core racists, by black teenagers as a term of endearment to each other or as a way to describe a person who has no respect for themselves or others. She said she believes the final example was Garcia's intent.

"We've all made mistakes," said School Board member Larry Mason.