ATLANTA – State Representative Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), today issued the following statement in response to the alleged hiring bias of a government office in Hoschton, Georgia:
“Mayor Theresa Kenerly says she ‘loves the town and loves the people and is not prejudice.’ In Hoschton, Georgia, Mayor Kenerly’s alleged statement that she ‘pulled the resume of Keith Henry as city administrator because he is black, and the city isn’t ready for this’ is nothing short of prejudice and evidence of implicit bias.”
“I am appalled, yet not surprised that the Mayor felt privileged and comfortable in making such a racist statement.”
“The resurgence in white supremacy in recent years plagues our country and hits home right here in Georgia. This act clearly violates anti-discrimination laws and the Mayor of Hoschton should be held accountable. The Mayor’s tearful apology is more about getting caught than a sincere heartfelt regret, and as an elected official in 2019, she harbors racist behaviors.”
“If she cannot uphold the very laws that she swore to protect, then it is time for her to go. She was elected to represent all of the people, not just those who look like her.”
Rep. Bennett joins other members of the GLBC who are calling for the resignation of Mayor Kenerly.
The GLBC is a non-profit and non-partisan organization, and it seeks to help protect the rights of African Americans, people of color and persons who are disenfranchised.
For more information, please contact State Representative Park Cannon (D-Atlanta) at 404-246-3790.
Representative Karen Bennett represents the citizens of Districts 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Health & Human Services and Regulated Industries committees.
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