Democratic Congressman David Trone has issued an apology after mistakenly using a racist term during a Capitol Hill hearing, acknowledging its offensive nature and the importance of responsible language.
Maryland Democratic Congressman David Trone issued an apology for his use of a racist term during a Capitol Hill hearing. The incident occurred during a House Budget Committee meeting, where Trone mistakenly said “jigaboo” instead of “bugaboo.” The term “jigaboo” is recognized as an offensive and derogatory term for a Black person, with its origins dating back to a 1909 song, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Trone acknowledged the term’s “long dark terrible history” and expressed regret for his choice of words, highlighting the importance of responsible language use, particularly by White elected officials.
The incident quickly garnered criticism on social media platforms, with some individuals calling for Trone’s resignation. Despite the backlash, Trone, who is currently a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for a Senate seat in Maryland, made no indication of stepping down. His competition includes County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who is African American, and former Republican Governor Larry Hogan.
In his apology, Trone emphasized his understanding of the gravity of his mistake and the responsibility he bears as an elected official to be mindful of his language. The apology comes amid his campaign for the Senate seat, underscoring the broader discussion on the use of language in public discourse and the responsibilities of public figures to avoid utilizing derogatory language.
