WASHINGTON 鈥� D.C. Council member Trayon White, who鈥檚 apologized for anti-Semitic remarks in a March 16 Facebook Live video, showed contrition again during a breakfast meeting Tuesday with both council colleagues and local Jewish leaders.
鈥淎gain, I say my sincere apologizes and love,鈥� said White, a Democrat representing Ward 8.
Now telling Jewish leaders “Growing up in ward 8 I had no idea what anti Semitism was.
My ignorance.
As a leader I should be held accountable”鈥� Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4)
Since his comments, White said he鈥檚 learned more about the Jewish religion, its culture and its persecution.
鈥淧eople say, 鈥楾rayon, you shouldn鈥檛 keep apologizing,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淚 say, 鈥業 beg to differ, because if I鈥檝e said anything or done anything to hurt anyone, I should apologize as much as needed.鈥欌��
According to NBC Washington鈥檚 Mark Segraves, the meeting began with Council Chairman Phil Mendelson noting the irony of White鈥檚 remarks.
Meeting opens with remarks by noting remarks “ironic” given had just gone through sensitivity training on racism
鈥� Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4)
Jewish members of the council had an opportunity to talk about their own experiences with anti-Semitism during the meeting. Jewish community leaders also had a chance to ask questions, and other council members shared their thoughts.
Those gathered seemed to accept White鈥檚 apology as heartfelt. Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington Executive Director Ron Halber, who called the remarks 鈥渄eeply hurtful,鈥� said the sincere apology and ensuing dialogue made the gathering more than just symbolic.
鈥淲e feel that the council member鈥檚 apology is genuine,鈥� Halber said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 expressed a great desire to work with us, and that鈥檚 a great way for all of us to move forward.鈥�
This is not the first time that the council has dealt with bigoted remarks from a colleague. Council member Jack Evans 鈥� the longest serving member of the council 鈥� cited Marion Barry鈥檚 2012 remarks about Asians.
Longest serving member of points to history of DC Council and “dirty asians” remark by and says “this isn’t the last time something like this will happen”
鈥� Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4)
Council members, who have not censured White, pledged to do more about making the incident a teachable moment, and Jewish leaders indicated that they will be watching. Halber said he expects 鈥渟ome concrete measures鈥� to be implemented.
And Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, said any real proof of progress will be the D.C. Council鈥檚 response moving forward.
鈥淚gnorance is not an excuse, and there鈥檚 obviously聽a gap of moral leadership,鈥� Lustig said. 鈥淭he fact that the statement was said in the first place, even if it was said out of ignorance, that is even more concerning.鈥�
Following the meeting with the Jewish leaders, White refused to answer questions about whether he believes that the weather can be controlled by humans. Segraves reports that White slammed his office door when he was asked further about his Facebook Live post.
