Woman Who Called 'Michelle Obama an 'Ape in Heels' Fired Following Outcry

 

The officials in an all-white part of West Virginia sparked outrage across America after referring to Michelle Obama as an "ape in heels", The Telegraph UK reports.

 

Beverly Whaling who is the Mayor of Clay and Pamela Ramsey Taylor, the director of the Clay County Development Corp, which provides services to elderly and low-income residents, made the remark on Facebook and have now been removed from their jobs.

 

The mayor of the town of Clay resigned and the director of a local government-funded agency was also removed from her job following the racist comment. In her defense, Whaling had said her comment was just celebrating Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election, and the elevation of Melania Trump to First Lady.

 

Taylor wrote: "It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels." 

 

Beverly Whaling, the mayor of Clay, responded on Facebook by saying: "Just made my day Pam." The two were forced  to relinquish their positions following petitions for the racist act.

 

A petition calling for Whaling to be fired had received more than 121,000 signatures as of midday on Tuesday.

 

Jason Hubbard, a member of the Clay town council, issued a statement condemning the "horrific" post and said "racial intolerance isn't what this community is about."

 

He apologised on behalf of the town to anyone who was offended, including Michelle Obama. 

 

In her own apology the mayor denied her sentiments were racist:

 

 

She said: "I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House. I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused. Those who know me know that I'm not in any way racist."

 

Taylor, had apologised and stated that she had in “no way” intended to be racist saying "any hurt my post may have caused".

 

The official claimed she had been referring to "my personal opinion of the attractiveness (of Mrs Obama) not the colour of the skin”.

 

She also claimed the backlash had become a "hate crime against me" and that she and her children had received death threats. Taylor also said she was consulting lawyers to pursue legal action against people who had "slandered" her.

 

The town of Clay has a population of 491, none of whom are black, according to latest US Census figures.

 

Clay County has 9,000 people and 0.2 per cent of them are black.

 

In the recent US presidential election 77 per cent of voters in Clay County backed Mr Trump.