Speaker Mattiello Continues to Stumble When Discussing Issues of Race, Fenton Fung Slams Him

Speaker Mattiello Continues to Stumble When Discussing Issues of Race, Fenton Fung Slams Him

Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello for the second time in two weeks blundered in discussing race, this time voicing that he was not sure of Rhode Island’s role in slavery.

"Quite frankly, I’m going to look at the definitions of plantation — they do have actual definitions and not just connotations. I am a believer in respecting history and it’s not perfect, but you respect your history," said Mattiello in a radio interview. 

"We have a very unique name, but by the same token I don’t want to offend anybody, so I think the best thing to do is to put it on the ballot and let everybody vote their consciouses, see where it goes and take it from there. But I have an open mind and we’ll take it from there," said Mattiello in response to a movement -- and legislation -- to remove "Providence Plantations" from Rhode Island's full state name. 

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Slavery in Focus

"Quite frankly I have to educate myself because I originally did not think we had actual slavery in Rhode Island and that might not be accurate — if we did, they might sway my opinion the other way. I’ll make my judgment," said Mattiello in his interview on WPRO AM with Gene Valicenti. "But I do believe in respecting history, I don’t like the taking down of monuments or anything else that’s happening in this day and age. If you forget history you’re doomed to repeat it."

Later on Friday, his office issued a statement trying to clean up the damage caused by Mattiello in his radio interview.

“Speaker Mattiello is certainly aware of Rhode Island’s shameful involvement in the slave trade. He supports placing on the ballot this November the removal of the word ‘plantations’ from the state’s name so that all Rhode Islanders can make their opinions known.  As this discussion is evolving, the Speaker is asking Rhode Islanders to join him in learning more about this sad chapter in our state’s history.  We began the journey in the House last night by passing a resolution calling for all public schools to incorporate African-American history as part of the curriculum.”

Barbara Ann Fenton Fung, Mattiello’s Republican opponent this year in the race for House District 15, slammed the Speaker for the comments.

“I don't expect every Rhode Islander to be able to recite this history, but I do expect our state's leaders to have a much better understanding of our past than the Speaker demonstrated today on the radio. While there are so many reasons why Nick Mattiello should no longer hold elected office, he just gave his constituents yet another,” said Fenton Fung.

"Rhode Island played a leading role in the transatlantic slave trade. Not only did Rhode Islanders have slaves—they had more per capita than any other New England state—but they also entered with gusto into the trade. By the close of the eighteenth century, Rhode Islanders had mounted at least a thousand voyages from Africa to the Americas," according to Brown University.

Mattiello, who once said he did not believe there is such a thing as “white privilege," gave a five-minute speech at a press conference at the Rhode Island State House organized by State Representative Anastasia Williams two weeks ago.

“I support Black Lives Matter,” said Mattiello.

A woman from the crowd challenged Mattiello’s claim, “How are you supporting Black Lives Matter, how, what are you doing for us?’

Mattiello said, “The way I live my life.”

Then Williams came and interrupted the exchange and excused Mattiello from the podium.

“Let me just say, I am not here defending his stance or what he said, but…,” said Williams.

Moving On

In February of 2020, GoLocal columnist Robert Whitcomb prophesied that maybe it was time for Mattiello to depart.

“I’m getting the sense that the end of the Rhode Island House speakership of Nicholas Mattiello, the most powerful politician in the state, may be coming sooner than had been anticipated because of spreading opposition in the Democratic caucus and real or perceived scandals.  Drip, drip...Approaching critical mass? It should be said that the speaker has done some good things for Rhode Island, especially for its economy," wrote Whitcomb.

Fenton Fung added, “Growing up on Aquidneck Island, I think we all visited the graves at God's Little Acre from an early age.  The city's dark past is hard to reconcile at times with the immense beauty of some of the most famous buildings that were constructed with enslaved Africans.  Touro Synagogue was once part of the Underground Railroad, but only a few blocks away the Redwood Library was initially underwritten by the profits of a slave trader.”

State Representative Raymond Hull said, "He is ignorant of our state’s history, ignorant of the experiences and history of people of color in our state and our country. It’s a disgrace, especially for someone who is fond of passing himself off as an informed and intelligent person. Rhode Island deserves better and Nicholas Mattiello is simply unfit to be Speaker. 

Fenton Fung is the wife of Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and she is not related to GoLocal CEO and Co-Founder Josh Fenton.