Kansas County Commissioner Makes ‘Master Race’ Comment to Black Woman at Board Meeting

A county commissioner in Kansas told an African-American woman that they were part of the “master race” during a Tuesday board meeting, The Kansas City Star reports. Triveece Penelton was reportedly explaining development options for a county road at the meeting when Leavenworth County Commissioner Louis Klemp made the remark. “I don’t want you to think I’m picking on you, because, we’re part of the master race,” Klemp said, while bringing his fingers to his own teeth. “You know you got a gap in your teeth, you’re the masters, don’t ever forget that.” Klemp, who was appointed to his seat by the Republican committee, reportedly also made comments about slaves nearly a year ago at another meeting. According to local news outlet KCTV, Klemp said Confederate commander Robert E. Lee was a “wonderful part of history” and claimed his “great-great grandfather had a slave.” Commissioner Bob Holland told KCTV that Klemp’s most recent remarks had nothing to do with the meeting’s agenda and demanded Klemp to resign. “I think he is a racist myself. I do,” Holland said. “I think he owes an apology to that woman. I think he owes an apology to the whole commission and the county.”