Sally Kern, the homophobic Oklahoma state legislator who last week made racist and misogynistic comments on the House floor, has received an official rebuke from her peers. On Monday, Kern apologized, then was rebuked by a 76-16 vote.
“Is this just because they’re black that they’re in prison or could it be because they didn’t want to work hard in school?” Kern asked last week, adding “I taught school for 20 years and I saw a lot of people of color who didn’t want to work as hard — they wanted it given to them.”
The Oklahoma legislator added, “women usually don’t want to work as hard as a man” because “women tend to think a little more about their family.”
In June of 2009, Kern wrote, “Granting marriage status to homosexuals who comprise little more than 3 percent of the population would be like granting all applicants admission to a prestigious college just because a few meet the qualifications. That school’s status would fall. Likewise, the status of marriage will fall if same-sex marriage is legalized.”
The following month she signed a “Proclamation for Morality,†which blamed the U.S.’s economic crisis on, among other acts of “debauchery,†same-sex marriage.
“WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national
moral crisis; and
WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion,
pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and
many other forms of debauchery; and
WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking
the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and
WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused
to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of
Prayer; and
WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States
disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to
an immoral behaviorâ€
In 2008, Kern said, “Studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it’s the death knell of this country. I honestly think it’s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam — which I think is a big threat, okay? Cause what’s happening now is they are going after, in schools, two-year olds…And this stuff is deadly, and it’s spreading, and it will destroy our young people, it will destroy this nation.”
Here is the text of Kern’s apology:
“I want to humbly apologize for any statements last night about women and African Americans. My words were, obviously, not spoken correctly and for that I humbly apologize. Unfortunately, when we take “words or sentences” out of the total context of a speech debated on the floor, there can be false misrepresentations, but the most important part is to always go to the heart of the matter.
“I never intended to convey anything more than all races include people who can be lazy at times. Laziness never accomplishes much for anyone. Certainly laziness is not the reason for this but it can be a contributing factor just as it can be for any other race. I completely agree with Martin Luther King’s statement that it should be the content of one’s character and not the color of their skin by which we judge them. I have endeavored my whole life to practice that statement and truly believe that we are all created equal. In a very inadequate and poorly worded way I was meaning to say that government should not give preference based only upon race or gender. I deeply regret the anguish and insult I have caused to all African Americans and sincerely apologize and ask for your forgiveness. My husband and I serve in an inner city church ministering to people of every race because we love all people.
“I also want to humbly apologize for my statement that women do not work as hard as men. Every woman is a CEO–a Chief Everything Officer. Whether they enter the work force or stay at home, women are some of the hardest workers in the world. When a woman enters the work force, because they have a job and a family they often decide not to make the same level of commitment to their job as a man does simply because they must juggle home and job. Thank God for the many wonderful men who understand this and help their spouses but the saying “a woman’s work is never done” certainly shows that women have to balance the two more than most men. Usually, women are more family-first orientated. This is all I meant. There are thousands of women all over the world who are wonderful examples of hard workers.  Also, please keep in mind, I am a working woman.
“We live in a sound bite society and our media likes to take only a portion of a dialog and use just a slice of it. You can take a portion of something someone says and make it say anything you want it to say. Without a doubt, what I said was poorly stated and did not convey the meaning I wanted to get across for this I am truly sorry and humbly apologize.”