Backstabber Report

Candidate Ieshuh Griffin’s Racially Charged Lawsuit Dismissed

Ieshuh Griffin, an independent candidate for the state Assembly in Wisconsin had her lawsuit dismissed in federal court. The lawsuit involved the state Government Accountability Board rejecting her five word description of herself she wanted placed behind her name, that would have appeared on official ballots seen by voters.

All candidates are allowed five words, as long as they are not pejorative, profane, discriminatory or includes an obscene word or phrase.

Leshuh Griffin wanted, “NOT the ‘whiteman’s bitch’” to describe herself on the ballot.

We wonder if she would be as adamant for any other female candidate who might want, “NOT the ‘blackman’s ho’” on their ballot in the rural south of Mississippi.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa said in the order filed Wednesday that Ieshuh Griffin’s lawsuit must be dismissed because it was a habeas corpus action and those require the person bringing it to be in custody, though he did not rule on the merits of the case. Ieshuh was advised that her case is for the civil courts and must be heard in the correct forum.

Griffin responded to that decision and advice on Thursday by filing a motion to get Randa replaced due to “judicial disability” and has appealed the judge’s decision rejecting her original lawsuit.

“He doesn’t have the authority to tell me what to file or when to file,” she said.

"A lot of people are telling me they support my stand," she said, though she didn't disclose exact numbers.

Griffin argued her case last month to the five white, retired judges on the board that regulates elections, saying the phrase she wanted to use was protected free speech. Though we agree that free speech is one of our most important rights afforded Americans we also believe that racially inspired snippets placed on public ballots is beyond the scope of acceptability.

Frankly, we find her choice of words discriminatory. We would find the phrase, "Because I am not black" discriminatory. In an age where a black man is the President and other minorities serve in Congress and key positions in the Judicial branch, as well as cabinet positions, it seems counter-productive to accentuate your candidacy by classifying yourself as "not the whiteman's bitch".

It's an excellent way to backstab the progress of understanding and tolerance that most Americans feel toward different races and nationalities.

The Assembly district she hopes to represent covers the east side of Milwaukee and parts of Glendale.