"Sistas Don't Tear Each Other Down" - Rep. Williams Fires Back at Rep. Ranglin-Vassell
GoLocalProv News Team
"Sistas Don't Tear Each Other Down" - Rep. Williams Fires Back at Rep. Ranglin-Vassell
On February 13, a heated floor debate on legislation to increase the minimum wage in Rhode Island by $1 dollar turned into an explosive controversy at the State House, when Williams took her mic to declare, “I am not a house slave nor a house n*****."
Ranglin-Vassell issued an open letter on Sunday morning, in response to the allegations made by Williams that she had made the comments.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWilliams fired back on Tuesday.
Williams -- "For the Record"
Williams issued the following statement on Tuesday.
"After much contemplation and reflection, I am compelled to respond to the open letter written by Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell on February 16, 2020. Simply put, the comments and explanations she made to others regarding me while in the House Chamber on February 13 were unwarranted, disgusting and hateful. The fact that she felt the need to explain what a 'house slave' is to our shared colleagues is also utterly disturbing. I know who I am and who I choose to ally with, as I know that I am the proud daughter of Ben and Rose.
Her disrespectful and conscious action of labeling me a 'house slave' to our colleagues because she failed to properly follow the chamber rules during the minimum wage debate was completely and maliciously intended without dignity, integrity, transparency, and most importantly of all, truth. Her lack of honesty is also quite troubling. I had hoped by not revealing her name, or the names of who she spoke to, she would realize the magnitude of her actions and that she would apologize. Yet, as evidenced by her open letter to the media, she has instead chosen to continue to distract and to run and hide from the truth.
And since her letter to the media tried to establish an untruthful history of our personal and professional relationship, I must use this avenue to further correct the fictions that she continues to spread in order to protect her own self-interests.
On May 6, 2017, we had breakfast together to discuss her concerns regarding the House legislative process. This was a one-time event. In 2019, she called to discuss another matter and while on the phone for a very short period, someone came to her home and she said she needed to call me back and she never did. She should not imply that we have a relationship that we clearly do not have, nor purposely misrepresent our professional relationship as colleagues in the House of Representatives.
She referred to us as 'sistas' in her letter, yet, in the same letter she says we are merely “cordial” colleagues. 'Sistas' do not tear each other down, nor do they communicate only twice in several years, especially when we serve in the same chamber every day. The inconsistencies in her own correspondence further highlight the factual inaccuracies within her letter.
The personal and emotional pain she cited coming directly from me was caused by only her, a colleague who I respect. But, after reading her letter filled with falsehoods, I am now directly naming her, Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, as the person responsible for reprehensibly calling me a 'house slave' on the chamber floor. It is no longer all merely hearsay nor speculation.
Her comments, behavior, and denial of what she called me in the chamber is indicative of the conversations and division that will intentionally continue to harm, oppress and keep the poor and community of color behind.
As mentioned in her letter, in the spirit of Christian love, a reconciliation should take place. However, no reconciliation can occur until she tells the entire truth. She is the author of this narrative, but the truth will be the finisher of this unfortunate incident. Therefore, she needs to own up to it so that the real healing process can truly begin."