UPDATED — The director of a government funded non-profit in Clay, West Virginia was fired for a facebook post likening First Lady Michelle Obama to an “ape in high heels, ” while praising the incoming first lady as “classy and dignified.” The local mayor of Clay (below right) co-signed on the comments. A move is afoot to have her ousted as well. (Updated 11/15/16)
UPDATED: 11/16/16 Clay Mayor Resigns
Original post: 11/14/16
The Mayor of Clay West Virginia and a county official are under fire, after a racist social media post attacking First Lady Michelle Obama.
Following the results of the presidential election, Pamela Taylor – an
employee with the Clay County Development Corporation posted this on her Facebook page:
“It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I’m tired of seeing an ape in heels.”
That’s when Beverly Whaling, the Mayor of Clay responded to the post saying:
“Just made my day Pam.”
Both women have deleted their Facebook pages, but not before the post was shared thousands of times. Whaling has posted an apology on social media and Taylor has been reprimanded at her job, and says that the situation has turned into a hate crime against her.
Like most of West Virginia, Donald Trump won 80% of the vote in Clay County.
