Given the flap over Glenn Beck’s “Planet of the Apes” reference, here’s this from the Midwest. Is it the same? Similar? Why? Why not?
“NOT the whiteman’s bitch” is the candidate’s phrase Ieshuh (eye-ee-sha) Griffin wants to use on the ballot in her Independent run for the Wisconsin State Assembly. In Wisconsin a candidate for public office can use a descriptive phrase of up to five words to appear on the ballot next to his/her name. In Griffin’s case, the Government Accountability Board, which oversees such things, voted to bar the use of the phrase, finding it to be “pejorative.”
Ms. Griffin, an African American seeking an assembly seat from a downtown Milwaukee district, appealed the Accountability Board’s ruling to the elections board. She prevailed, but lost, in a 3-2 decision in her favor. A two thirds vote was needed to overturn the decision. The sixth member of the elections board did not attend the meeting.
The candidate then took her case to the United States District Court on a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. Unfortunately, habeas corpus is a writ used to seek release from unwarranted custody. Since she was not in custody, the court threw the case out on procedural grounds. Ms. Griffin has vowed to appeal and seek an emergency hearing before the U. S. Supreme Court.
Ms. Griffin, who is running as an Independent, argues that the phrase is a reflection of her independent nature, saying, “It’s a freedom of expression. It’s not racial. It’s not a slur.” She went on to argue that use of the word “bitch” was not intended to refer to a woman, but rather to a “female dog that rolls over”. She describes herself as a 30-ish community activist, and points out that she used the phrase on the nomination papers used to gain the signatures necessary to appear on the ballot.
Cross posted at Elijah’s Sweete Spot.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.