Politicsslaveryarkansas politicsDeath Penalty

Jon Hubbard, Arkansas Legislator, Defends Pro-Slavery Comments

GOP Legislator Doubles Down On Pro-Slavery Position
By 

Contributor

|

The Republican Arkansas state legislator whose writing in favor of slavery has embroiled the state GOP in controversy is now defending his viewpoints on the subject.

State Rep. Jon Hubbard (R-Jonesboro) told the Jonesboro Sun on Tuesday that he continues to believe the viewpoints he expressed in a 2010 book that slavery was a "blessing" for blacks, TalkBusiness.net reports. In the book, Hubbard argued that blacks received a better quality of life as slaves in the U.S. than they did in Africa, and that African-Americans would not be in the U.S. were it not for slavery. Hubbard's comments -- first reported by the Arkansas Times on Friday -- led to a series of revelations about fellow Arkansas Republicans, including Rep. Loy Mauch (R-Bismarck) writing a series of letters to the editor defending slavery and legislative candidate Charlie Fuqua writing in a 2012 book that he wanted to deport all Muslims and establish the death penalty for rebellious children.

In the interview with the Jonesboro Sun, Hubbard said he did not know "any other way that black people in America could have gotten here." He also said slavery was not justified.

TalkBusiness.net reports:

“Slavery was cruel, but as a result of slavery, we have African-Americans living in this country today who are living here in situations that are probably much better to endure than if they were living in Sub-Saharan Africa. If you had the choice knowing the lifestyle of people living in Africa and knowing the lifestyle of people living in the United States, which would you choose? Pure and simple.”

Where do you even begin in analyzing this quote? While he doesn’t say it directly in the above quote, he is once again basically stating that slavery was a “blessing in disguise.”

Another quote along the same line:

“But I think the end result -- that they [African-Americans] did get to live in America, although the means for getting here were terrible -- I think the end result was better than it would have been if they had to live in Africa themselves.”

Hubbard did not return multiple requests for comment Wednesday.

Hubbard's comments have set off a firestorm in Arkansas, with Republicans distancing themselves from Hubbard, Mauch and Fuqua. The state Republican Party announced that it will not be providing any more assistance to the trio. U.S. Reps. Tim Griffin and Steve Womack, along with the Benton County Republican Party and state Rep. Prissy Hickerson (R-Texarkana) -- all who have donated to either Hubbard or Mauch -- have all come out against the comments. Benton County Republican Chairman Mike Sevak also endorsed the Emancipation Proclamation in a Tuesday interview with HuffPost.

Americans for Prosperity, an advocacy group funded by the Koch brothers, has sent out mailers backing Hubbard and Mauch, but distanced itself on Tuesday from their slavery comments.

AFP spokeswoman Teresa Oelke told HuffPost that the group supports "an equal opportunity to pursue prosperity, regardless of race or ethnicity."

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Americans for Prosperity is a super PAC. The group is a 501(c)4 advocacy organization.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Tea Party Statements
'2nd Amendment Remedies'(01 of06)
Open Image Modal
During Nevada's 2010 Senate election, an audio clip surfaced of Sharron Angle raising "Second Amendment remedies" as a viable solution to take when "government becomes out of control."The Tea Party-backed hopeful ultimately proved unsuccessful in her campaign to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. (credit:Getty)
'I Do Not Wear High Heels'(02 of06)
Open Image Modal
Ken Buck, a Tea Party-backed contender who ultimately fell short in his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet in Colorado, made headlines in 2010 when he quipped that people should vote for him "because I do not wear high heels."
'I Am Not A Witch'(03 of06)
Open Image Modal
Christine O'Donnell captured headlines in 2010 with a now-infamous campaign ad in which she tells voters, "I'm not a witch." She says, "I'm nothing you've heard. I'm you."O'Donnell was defeated in her campaign for Senate in Delaware by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons. (credit:Getty)
Scientists For Creationism?(04 of06)
Open Image Modal
Rep. Michele Bachmann said in October of 2006, "There are hundreds and hundreds of scientists, many of them holding Nobel Prizes, who believe in intelligent design." (credit:AP)
Democrats = Communists?(05 of06)
Open Image Modal
HuffPost's Jen Bendery reported in April of this year:
As many as 80 House Democrats are communists, according to Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.).West warned constituents at a Tuesday town hall event that he's "heard" that dozens of his Democratic colleagues in the House are members of the Communist Party, the Palm Beach Post reported. There are currently 190 House Democrats.West spokeswoman Angela Melvin later defended West's comments -- and clarified to whom West was referring."The Congressman was referring to the 76 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Communist Party has publicly referred to the Progressive Caucus as its allies. The Progressive Caucus speaks for itself. These individuals certainly aren't proponents of free markets or individual economic freedom," Melvin said in a statement to The Huffington Post.
 (credit:AP)
Welfare Prison Dorms?(06 of06)
Open Image Modal
The AP reported in August of 2010 on then-New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino:
Throughout his campaign, Paladino has criticized New York's rich menu of social service benefits, which he says encourages [undocumented] immigrants and needy people to live in the state. He has promised a 20 percent reduction in the state budget and a 10 percent income tax cut if elected.Asked at the meeting how he would achieve those savings, Paladino laid out several plans that included converting underused state prisons into centers that would house welfare recipients. There, they would do work for the state - "military service, in some cases park service, in other cases public works service," he said - while prison guards would be retrained to work as counselors."Instead of handing out the welfare checks, we'll teach people how to earn their check. We'll teach them personal hygiene ... the personal things they don't get when they come from dysfunctional homes," Paladino said....Paladino told The Associated Press the dormitory living would be voluntary, not mandatory, and would give welfare recipients an opportunity to take public, state-sponsored jobs far from home."These are beautiful properties with basketball courts, bathroom facilities, toilet facilities. Many young people would love to get the hell out of cities," Paladino he said.He also defended his hygiene remarks, saying he had trained inner-city troops in the Army and knows their needs."You have to teach them basic things - taking care of themselves, physical fitness. In their dysfunctional environment, they never learned these things," he said.
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip