Senator posts racist email from a constituent to show bigotry is ‘alive and well’ in SC

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Columbia Democrat Mia McLeod posted on social media a screenshot of a constituent’s email that referred to her by using a racial epithet and expletive. The constituent was responding to her “save the date” invitation to a Jan. 28 fundraiser.

“I was a bit taken aback, but not totally shocked,” McLeod, who is black, told The Post and Courier on Wednesday.

New York state Senator John Liu recently shared a racist voicemail he received, highlighting the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. In South Carolina, state Senator Mia McLeod also faced racism when she received a racial slur via email.

Some conservative Republicans have been blocking debate on the issue, while opponents argue that it’s difficult to determine someone’s thoughts and that the law could be misused.

Survivors of the 2015 racist massacre at Emanuel AME church have urged senators to take action, emphasizing the need to address hate crimes effectively. Additionally, Senator Tim Scott, the Senate’s lone Black Republican from South Carolina, has shared racist and threatening voicemails he received, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to racism in the state.