From The Journal Gazette State Sen. Zay responds to 3-year-old Facebook discussion

Huntington Sen. Andy Zay said “racism is not real” and lamented the plight of the white male in a three-year-old Facebook discussion that surfaced this week online.

Zay was not a state senator when the private debate occurred, which has since become public. But he is running for re-election to the Senate District 17 seat in the fall.

“Racism is not real. The biggest minority class in America is the white male,” he said in the direct message conversation. “More white males are refused to college, medical schools and law schools than any other group. Yes there are more, but these so called minorities are given way more opportunity to succeed and be part of successful programs than the average white male.”

…

Zay sent a statement to The Journal Gazette Monday saying:

“Racism is not a topic that should be taken lightly, and I should have been more careful with my words in the discussion that has been posted online by others. My remarks were part of a much broader discussion on the American Dream. I believe every Hoosier and every person should be treated equally regardless of race. I agree with the words of Martin Luther King Jr. that all people should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.”

Indiana Democratic Party Chair John Zody weighed in on the Senator’s statement still missing the mark to explain his word choice, and apparent beliefs.

“Regardless of when he said it, the statements made by State Senator Andy Zay are disgusting,” said Zody. “We are living in a state where a lawmaker elected to protect Hoosiers appears to have little concern for those in harm’s way – either through words or action. I would encourage Senator Zay to not be “more careful” with his words as he says, but to take them down altogether and recognize that racism is, in fact, a very real problem in our society. In the meantime, while Republican leadership at the Statehouse is silent, Indiana Democrats will continue fighting until every Hoosier feels safe, secure and protected equally under Indiana law.”

###