Tag: Plantation

The astounding, racial rant took place during a candidates forum on Thursday, at which Deputy Assembly Speaker Earlene Hooper (D-Hempstead) branded opponent Taylor Raynor as a tool of white power brokers. “I have been able to survive, and I fight for my people. Then I have to come here and fight with my people,” Hooper said. “So, that’s what happened now, we have a plantation.” As Raynor shook her head and frowned just a few feet away, the 30-year incumbent wrapped up her remarks by doubling down. “My time is up, but I leave you with this: [the] white man fooled us out of Africa,” Hooper told the largely black audience. “Don’t let him fool you out of a seat where you have power.” Hooper, the fourth-ranking leader in the Assembly, then glared directly at Raynor as she stormed away from the podium to cheers and applause. Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said Hooper’s speech before the New Hempstead Democratic Club had cost her his backing in the Sept. 13 primary election. I condemn those remarks. “I’ve supported Earlene in the past. It’s likely I will be endorsing Taylor.” Hooper, a retired social worker, has served in the Assembly since winning a special election in March 1988.