Michigan Clerk Apologizes for Calling Black Town Official 'Arrogant N****r' -- Says She's 'Far From Being Prejudiced

Image source: WEYI-TV

A Michigan town clerk has apologized for calling the local supervisor an "arrogant n----r," and said she's "far from being prejudiced" -- because she's "eaten Thanksgiving dinner with black friends at their house."

Buena Vista Township Supervisor Dwayne Parker (Image source: MLive.com)

Buena Vista Township Clerk Gloria Platko was recorded using the slur to describe Township Supervisor Dwayne Parker in a phone conversation with Interim Township Manager Dexter Mitchell in January.

In the recording, Mitchell asked Platko whether she would be willing to sit down with Parker. Platko replied that Parker was "just rubbing me the wrong way."

“He is just doing whatever he can. You know what I think of Mr. Parker right now, and I know you’re not even going to like this,” she said. “But he’s just an arrogant n----r. And I’m sorry to say it that way, but that’s the way I feel.”

Mitchell played the recording in front of about two dozen people during a township board of trustees meeting Monday, MLive.com reported. He said he had recorded Platko without her knowledge so she couldn't twist his words.

According to MLive, Platko said Parker and Mitchell have been trying to get her to resign her post since she was elected in November

“They’re trying to make it sound like a racial thing. It’s not a race thing,” she said. “This was a private phone call that he recorded. This was directed toward one person. This was not directed toward a race or a group of people."

Platko told WEYI-TV the slur was a "slip of the tongue."

“I'm sorry to my five other board members and I’m entirely sorry to this entire community,” she told the station. “I’ve eaten Thanksgiving dinner with black friends at their house. So no, I am far from being prejudiced. You need to go interview some of the black people that have supported me for the last five, six years."

She said she was "sorry for the word" she used, and "probably should've used a word like ignoramus or something like that."

The entire recording can be heard at MLive.com; Mediaite has the relevant portion below (​content warning -- strong language​):

(H/T: Mediaite)