Has it been missed by me? It has been six days now since pictures of a Republican legislative candidate in blackface emerged, eliciting a response from GOP colleagues, her, and Lake Kari.
Ann Mary Mendoza, who apparently thought it would be a lot of fun, posed as a Native American with her body painted brown for Halloween last Friday. She thought it would be a great time, as she dressed up as Aunt Jemima.
However, we have not received any explanation from Mendoza and mostly silence from Republican leaders who are endorsing her legislative campaign.
Lake critiques Hobbs. But no indignation here?
Despite being a freshman in 1984, she discovered old yearbooks from Hobbs High School that revealed the controversial “slave day” event. Even in her role as a legislative Black staffer, she never misses an opportunity to brand Katie Hobbs, her opponent, as a racist for her wrongful dismissal of a minority Senate leader.
Where is the outrage about an adult in the 21st century who thinks it’s okay to dress up for Halloween as a talking, walking symbol of racism and stuff their petticoat with padding to paint their entire body black, denigrating an entire race of people with an exaggerated stereotype?
Another perspective: Why is racial discrimination still accepted in the realm of sports?
This isn’t about political correctness run amok. Anybody who has studied history knows the baggage that is packed into that shoe polish.
It is best for a woman who wants to follow the rest of the laws to make a serious lapse in judgment.
On Tuesday, ABC News 15 confirmed that some pictures of Mendoza’s deceased son appeared on her Facebook page.
Most of the rest of the Republican Party’s leading lights, and Lake, who has endorsed Mendoza, only silence is there from yet.
This is not the initial lapse in judgment from Mendoza.
In 2014, Mesa Police Sgt. Brandon Mendoza, who became one of President Donald Trump’s “Angel Moms,” lost her son to a drunk driver who was in the country unlawfully. Additionally, there was silence from Mendoza.
Legislative District 9, which encompasses the western area of Mesa and certain sections of Tempe, is currently witnessing one of the most fiercely contested electoral competitions in the state. It seems evident that she believes adopting a low-profile approach is the optimal tactic for securing victory in the race for a House seat.
This is not Mendoza’s initial encounter with questionable decision-making.
Just hours before speaking at the 2020 National Republican Convention, she promoted a string of tweets about a Jewish plot to control the world, sprinkled with conspiracy theories like QAnon.
Then she proceeded to inform the journalist regarding a Jewish financial family that formerly “possessed the United States.” Mendoza expressed regret and removed the tweet. Subsequently, she informed an Arizona Republic journalist that she had not read the complete post prior to retweeting it and that it did not represent her opinions.
In 2020, the Republican National Committee wisely removed Mendoza from its roster.
In 2022, do not expect the Arizona Republican Party to remove her from its list of approved legislative candidates.
The Democratic Party is calling on her to withdraw from the race, especially after she engaged in the racist and offensive use of blackface, refusing to respond to the disqualification of the photos called Austin Lorena and Blattman Seth.
So far, the sole reaction from Republicans has been to quickly come to Mendoza’s aid.
Blasius Melissa’s 15 ABC stated that Mendoza possesses a “kind and generous nature” and that her darkened facial cosmetics “are no more offensive than those worn by a drag performer,” according to Kathleen Winn, a former Republican candidate for Congress.
Similarly, Rep. Debbie Lesko did not perceive any issue.
“According to her written statement to Blasius, Mary Ann Mendoza assures that voters will receive that. This is the aspect that voters are concerned about – a protected border and practical strategies that will maintain the strength of Arizona. Just before an election, adversaries with liberal views shared Halloween pictures from ten years ago. Instead of fixating on those images, voters should divert their attention.”
That, along with a woman who seems oblivious to how her decisions affect certain individuals she aims to speak for.
Upon further reflection, she may integrate smoothly into the Arizona Legislature.