A woman who used social media to aim racism and hate at Michelle Obama will be allowed to return to work. Following the presidential election, Pamela Ramsey Taylor, a director at Clay County Development Corporation in West Virginia, used Facebook to vilify the first lady.
In the racist post, Taylor wrote, “It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I’m tired of seeing a Ape [sic] in heels.”
The post was then liked by the mayor of Clay, Beverly Whaling, who wrote, “Just made my day Pam” in the comments section.
The post soon went viral as Taylor’s racist views created an uproar. Although she deleted the post, Taylor was suspended from her position which is a partially government-funded nonprofit organization.
A petition surfaced to force Whaling to be terminated from her position as mayor. Whaling attempted to remove herself from the racist aspect of the post by saying, “My comment was not intended at all. I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House. I am truly sorry for any hard feelings this may have caused. Those who know me know that I’m not in any way racist.”
Whaling eventually stepped down as mayor. However, Taylor will be allowed to return to her job on Dec. 23 after several weeks of being suspended. By allowing Taylor to return, the nonprofit isn’t taking a serious approach to punishing racism and should lose its funding that is provided by the government.
Since the election of Donald Trump, racists across the country have revealed themselves through words and actions. Along with racist posts on social media, hate crimes have increased since Election Day.
Trump has done little to condemn the racist acts that have taken place since his election.
