Ohio Board of Education member claims resolution condemning 'white supremacy culture' is 'non compliant' with Civil Rights Act

Diane Fessler, a member of the Ohio Board of Education, claimed a proposed resolution condemning "white supremacy culture" is "non-compliant with the Civil Rights Act," the Intercept reports.

Footage of Fessler's arguments have gone viral on Twitter. At the time, she said, "[Board's equity resolution] condemns in the highest terms possible white supremacy culture. I don't know how that could have got past our legal department because to me it seems non-compliant with Civil Rights Act of 1964."

She added, "Can you in your wildest dreams imagine that we had adopted a resolution that said, 'The State Board of Education condemns in the highest terms possible Black culture?' Oh, we'd have a war going on now, wouldn't we?"

In a statement released to The Intercept, Ohio State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) said the longstanding Republican board member's remarks "showed 'severe racial bias' and 'extremism infecting the Ohio Legislature.'"

"There should be zero controversy over condemning white supremacy as a hateful culture of violence and division. Instead, Ms. Fessler's comments showcase not only severe racial bias but also the extremism infecting the Ohio Legislature," Sweeney said. "It is outrageous that an elected official who makes decisions about the education of our children would equate white supremacy with Black culture.

"To say that condemning white supremacy violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shows a fundamental ignorance not only of that landmark legislation but also of the definition of white supremacy itself. It is the reason why such condemnations are necessary and warranted."