Letter: Benton commissioner’s comment to African-American judge is unacceptable

Regarding the story, “Benton commissioners want Superior Court judges to explain letter,” (TCH, Feb. 16). Jerome Delvin’s comment to Judge Cameron Mitchell, the only African-American in the conversation — “I know you got thrown into the briar patch” — is unacceptable.

Delvin’s injection of the racist Uncle Remus folktale about Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby into a serious discussion of whether we live in a community which can work together despite our divisions and differences is unforgivable.

It is not a matter of misspeaking or an unfortunate choice of a metaphor. It is an indication of a need for new, more thoughtful leadership.

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 11:24 PM with the headline "Letter: Benton commissioner’s comment to African-American judge is unacceptable."