House Speaker Michael Busch announced Tuesday he has removed Del. Mary Ann Lisanti as chair of a subcommittee. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s House speaker has removed a white lawmaker from a leadership position for using a racial slur for black people. House Speaker Michael Busch announced Tuesday he has removed Del. Mary Ann Lisanti as chair of a subcommittee. Lisanti, a Democrat from Harford County, told reporters she would issue a statement later in the day. She apologized to the House Democratic Caucus Tuesday morning, after apologizing to leaders of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus on Monday. In a letter to Busch Tuesday, Del. Darryl Barnes, the chair of the black caucus, called Lisanti’s words “a blatant act of racism” and, referring to Black History Month, said they came at “a time where we should be recognizing achievements in the African-American community.” While acknowledging Lisanti’s apology, Barnes said the caucus felt “as though her apology is woefully inadequate” and that her use of the slur shows that she cannot “be entrusted in a leadership role moving forward.” He called for swift discipline and sensitivity training for Lisanti. The speaker said Lisanti has agreed to take sensitivity training. The Washington Post reported Monday that Lisanti allegedly used the slur to refer to Prince George’s County during an after-hours gathering at an Annapolis cigar bar. She told the Post earlier this month that she didn’t recall using the slur, but was “sure everyone has used it.” Copyright © 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.<doc-sep>HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. (WJZ) — A white delegate from Harford County apologized for allegedly calling Prince George’s County, Maryland an “n-word district” during an after-hours gathering at an Annapolis cigar bar. Del. Mary Ann Lisanti (D) apologized to leaders of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland after they confronted her Monday night, according to The Washington Post. WJZ has independently confirmed the Post’s report. Lisanti attempted to dodge WJZ’s cameras until she had no choice later Tuesday afternoon. [WJZ Reporter:] “Some of your colleagues are calling for you to resign, but others are supporting you, any comment on that? Is there anything you’d like to say to the people you represent in Harford County?” “I’ve made a press statement,” Lisanti said. [WJZ Reporter:] “Are you going to stay in your post?” “I’ve made my statement,” Lisanti replied. [WJZ Reporter:] “Are you going to resign?” “I’ve made my statement,” She said again. The allegations are that she told a white colleague that when he campaigned in Prince George’s on behalf of a candidate he was door-knocking “n-word district.” However, Lisanti told black colleagues she did not recall saying that. Lisanti allegedly made the remarks in a small, racially mixed group of lawmakers at Annapolis Cigar in late January. Lisanti, 51, represents Havre de Grace, Abingdon, Belcamp, and Aberdeen Proving Ground. She’s a second-term lawmaker and a member of the House Economics Matters Committee. Prior to her post as a Maryland lawmaker, she served two terms on Harford County Council and was the city manager for Havre de Grace. House Speaker Michael Busch announced Tuesday he has removed Del. Mary Ann Lisanti as chair of a subcommittee. “While I believe her apology was heartfelt,” he said. “the damage among her colleagues and the public has been done.” She apologized to the House Democratic Caucus Tuesday morning, after apologizing to leaders of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus on Monday. The speaker says Lisanti also has agreed to take sensitivity training. “I think when she first came before us, I do not believe she was contrite,” said delegate Darryl Barnes. “I don’t think she fully understood the magnitude of the words that came out of her mouth. Now the impact is greater, the people are responding to what’s going on. So I think she fully starting to understand what’s going on.” Lisanti released the aforementioned statement Tuesday afternoon: “I deeply apologize to the citizens of my district, people of Maryland, all of my colleagues in the Maryland General Assembly and everyone reading this for my word choice several weeks ago. I am sickened that a word that is not in my vocabulary came out of my mouth. It does not represent my belief system, my life’s work or what is my heart. Last evening I met with the Legislative Black Caucus to express my deepest regret for the pain I have caused my colleagues in the General Assembly and repent. This morning, I expressed the same to the entire Democratic Caucus. Earlier today, I met with House Speaker Busch and agreed to step down from my leadership position. I also agreed to participate in sensitivity training. I understand that the use of inappropriate and insensitive language is not acceptable under any circumstance. I am sorry for the hurt I have caused and will do everything I can to help heal that pain and regain the trust of my colleagues and constituents. I pray for forgiveness.” The calls for the delegate to resign are growing not only here in Annapolis but across the state. The African-American Democratic Clubs of Maryland want for her to leave immediately. A legislative aide told WJZ the outcome could set a bad example. “This is not ok. This, it should not be tolerated. For her to stay in here, what is Annapolis saying to our constituents.” said aide Nina McHugh. In the letter, Del. Lisanti also said she will undergo sensitivity training and prays for forgiveness. Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook Associated Press reporting was used in this post.<doc-sep>Screenshot : YouTube ( Comcast Newsmakers ) It happens to us all. Even the smartest people have momentary lapses of memory when they misplace the car keys; can’t recall if they unplugged the iron or forget when they called a majority black county the n-word in public. Advertisement Well, that’s what happened to Maryland Democrat Mary Ann Lisanti, who, according to the Washington Post, apologized to the state’s Legislative Black Caucus for allegedly calling 65 percent-black Prince George’s County a “nigger district,” even though Lisanti says she doesn’t recall saying it. “I am sickened that a word that is not in my vocabulary came out of my mouth,” Lisanti said in a statement a few weeks ago. “It does not represent my belief system, my life’s work or what is my heart.” This always happens to me. I apologize for shit I didn’t do all the time. I’m still salty about not being asked to host the Oscars even though, unlike Kevin Hart, I apologized for being mean to Rihanna when she asked me out on a date. Like Lisanti, Khaleesi of cuss words, I also don’t understand why anyone would believe that the words actually coming out of someone’s mouth represented them in any way. It is patently unfair. Lisanti, who represents 85 percent-white Harford, Md., reportedly used the slur in front of a racially mixed group of lawmakers while having a few drinks at an Annapolis, Md., cigar bar. She was allegedly talking to a white colleague and told him that campaigning in PG County was door-knocking in the “nigger district.” The group didn’t include Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes, who left before any n-bombs were thrown, apparently aware of what happens when Caucasians start partaking in high-end whiskey while smoking Wypipo blunts. Sample-Hughes did, however, called the slur “disheartening and frustrating.” The Post reports: Questioned by The Washington Post earlier this month about her alleged use of the racial slur, Lisanti said: “I don’t recall that . . . I don’t recall much of that evening.” When asked whether she has ever used the slur, she said: “I’m sure I have . . . I’m sure everyone has used it. I’ve used the f-word. I used the Lord’s name in vain.” Sample-Hughes said Monday night that she wondered why Lisanti seemed comfortable with the word and asked during the meeting if Lisanti grew up in a household where the word was used. “She didn’t give a direct response,” Sample-Hughes said. Advertisement Lisante noted that in her — Wait ... Did she just say she’s sure everyone has used the n-word? You know that means that she only hangs around people who use the n-word because she says she’s sure of it like I’m sure everyone inhales, breathes, shits and eats fried chicken. I also use the word “motherfucker” a lot. Advertisement I mean, a whole lot. But not so often that I believe everyone has used it. I bet Santa Claus doesn’t call Rudolph a “red-nosed motherfucking reindeer.” Even if I’m smoking a Black & Mild while drinking Champale, I wouldn’t use the word motherfucker in church or around my grandmother (I usually sit in the non-smoking section at my church, but you catch my drift). Advertisement And some people don’t use the n-word. I’m definitely sure of that. I bet Rachel Maddow doesn’t use it. Or Steve Kerr. In fact, you know who invented the phrase “the n-word?” MOTHERFUCKERS WHO DON’T USE THE N-WORD! Rep. Jay Walker, who is black, says he was standing right there when Lisanti used the word, but what do you do when white people start slinging the n-word around like they’re at a Klan meeting or the White House? Well, Walker said he “addressed it with her privately.” Advertisement Also, even though I don’t remember it, I would like to apologize to Taylor Swift, Michael Rapaport and all the white people I slandered by referring to them as “white people.” It does not represent my belief system, my life’s work or what is my heart. “I think you feel like, especially as a person of color and a black woman in the House, you want to feel like your colleagues respect you, that you can work together,” Wanika Fisher, who actually represents Prince Ge or ge’s County in the Maryland House of Delegates, told The Root. Advertisement “And when people make degrading comments, whether it’s in a social setting or not, you want to know the legislation and the things you’re bringing are being respected. And I think that’s what’s quite disturbing about it,” Fisher added. “If an elected official can say that, imagine what’s happening on the streets of Maryland.” Asked if she believed Lisanti was “sickened” by the word that is not in her vocabulary, as Listanti alleges, Fisher replied: “No. When you have a problem, the first step is to admit you have a problem.” Advertisement See? Everything’s ok. There is no problem. Now please excuse me while I email Mary Ann Lisanti to see if she’d like to get out of “nigger county” and do some campaigning here.<doc-sep>
A white legislator from Maryland reportedly was confronted this week by fellow lawmakers and forced to apologize after she allegedly referred to one of the state’s predominantly black counties as a “n—er district.” Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti — a Democrat representing Harford — allegedly was speaking to a white colleague late last month during an “after-hours gathering” at an Annapolis cigar bar when she uttered the racial slur, according to the Washington Post. “I’m sure everyone has used it,” said Lisanti, 51, during an interview with the newspaper. The Post apparently confronted her earlier this month and asked about her alleged use of the word. “I don’t recall that,” Lisanti said. “I don’t recall much of that evening.” Asked whether she has ever used the slur before, the second-term lawmaker said: “I’m sure I have … I’m sure everyone has used it. I’ve used the f-word. I used the Lord’s name in vain.” Lisanti reportedly was questioned again Monday night about the incident — this time by members of Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus. Only then did she give her apology. “She apologized several times,” Delegate Darryl Barnes (D-Prince George’s) told the Post. “She recognizes how she has hurt so many within the caucus, and she hoped to repent from this.” Lisanti was in front of a racially mixed group of legislators when she allegedly made her remark about Prince George’s County. She had been discussing her white colleague’s campaign efforts last fall — which included knocking on doors in Prince George’s County, one of richest majority-black communities in the US, according to the Post. “There is no place in the House of Delegates for any racial slurs — or slurs of any kind in society in general,” said House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel). Lisanti did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday, though she did release a statement saying she would be stepping down as chair of the unemployment insurance subcommittee on the House Economic Matters Committee. “I understand that the use of inappropriate and insensitive language is not acceptable under any circumstance,” Lisanti said. “I am sorry for the hurt I have caused and will do everything I can to help heal that pain and regain the trust of my colleagues and constituents. I pray for forgiveness.”