Florida Republican congressional hopeful Corey Poitier used the name “Buckwheat” during a speech on healthcare reform in an apparent reference to President Barack Obama In his speech to Broward County Republicans Monday, Poitier, 36, who is the only Republican candidate running to fill the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, a Democrat, said, “Listen up, Buckwheat — this is not how it is done,” the Miami Herald reported.
“Buckwheat” is a character from the 1920s Our Gang and The Little Rascals, the Herald reported. The character is considered by many African-Americans to be disparaging.
“The press has run amok with this and turned me into a racist. I’ve never seen Buckwheat as a disparaging character. People love Buckwheat,” said Poitier, who is black.
