City Councilman Who Ignored Black Woman’s Request To Be Addressed By Her Doctoral Title Loses His Job

A white city official in North Carolina has been fired after ignoring a Black woman’s request to be addressed by her doctoral title.

The city council ousted Tony Collins, a member of the Greensboro Zoning Commission, this week after he engaged in a heated exchange with Carrie Rosario, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, The Charlotte Observer reported.

“It was a very disrespectful exchange between an important commissioner and a public citizen,” City Councilwoman Sharon Hightower said after her colleagues voted unanimously Tuesday night to remove Collins. “That should never happen.”

The tense exchange between Collins and Rosario happened during a virtual meeting on Monday toward the end of a four-hour Zoning Commission meeting. While Rosario was raising concerns about a development project a few hundred feet from her house, Collins said the discussion had veered off course. He also addressed the resident as Mrs. Rosario while responding to her concern.

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“It’s Dr. Rosario, thank you, sir,” the professor said in response.

But Collins ignored the comment and proceeded to make his argument.

“If Mrs. Rosario has something,” he continued.

Refusing to be ignored, the educator reiterated her proper title.

“Dr. Rosario,” she said.

The city official remained stubborn.

“Well, you know, I’m sorry,” he responded. “Your name says on here ‘Carrie Rosario.’ Hey Carrie.”

The back-and-forth continued as the city official insisted on calling the resident by the name on her computer screen.

“I’m verbalizing my name is Dr. Carrie Rosario. And it really speaks very negatively of you as a commissioner to be disrespectful,” she said. “Out of respect, I would like you to call me by the name that I’m asking you to call me by.”

As the city council reviewed a clip of the exchange on Tuesday, Hightower said Collins was using his “white privilege” by continuously refusing Rosario’s request, The Greensboro News & Record reported.

In an interview with McClatchy News on Wednesday, Hightower said Collins’ behavior will not be tolerated.

“As a Black female, I am not going to see another Black female treated in this manner,” she said.

Source: City Councilman Who Ignored Black Woman’s Request To Be Addressed By Her Doctoral Title Loses His Job