When presented in committee with legislation that would strip educational funding from DREAMERS, Rep. Valdenia Winn spoke out, noting that the legislation as written was racist and full of unfair assumptions.
“This is a racist, sexist, fear-mongering bill,” said Winn, a member of the House Education Committee. “I want to apologize to the students and parents whose lives are being hijacked by the racist bigots who support this bill, because this bill is an act —”It was then, according to a story in the Topeka Capital-Journal, that Barker interrupted Winn.
“Mr. Chairman, I object,” said Barker, who earlier made a motion to pass the bill. “She just referred to this committee as racist.”
“I said ‘supporters,’” Winn replied. “You can do anything you want.”
“I object,” Barker repeated.
“If the shoe fits, it fits,” Winn said. “This is an example of institutional racism.”