Lawmaker apologizes for slur

DES MOINES -- A state lawmaker who uttered a racial slur admitted to a "character deficit" Tuesday and said he hopes the incident will help spark a dialogue on the issue in Iowa.

Flanked by black leaders at a news conference at the State Capitol, Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, apologized for using the N-word in a conversation last week with Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, a black lawmaker and Democrat from Des Moines.

"What we've learned from this is that words do have meaning, and words do hurt, and my words the other day penetrated the very soul of the difference between the races and our cultures, and for that, I'm sorry," Hatch said.

Abdul-Samad said the incident provided a teaching moment.

"Now it's time for us to go on, because this has to stop today," Abdul-Samad said.

Rev. Keith Ratliff, president of the NAACP's Iowa/Nebraska chapter, admonished Hatch for the remark.

"For state Sen. Jack Hatch or some lawmakers to suggest that because tensions were high, that it in some way excuses this type of language and dialogue, the NAACP feels is ridiculous and blatantly wrong," Ratliff said.

Linda Carter-Lewis, president of the Des Moines NAACP branch, said Hatch was interested in working with the organization to "personally grow" and help others grow from the incident.

She said the NAACP will organize a series of educational forums in which Hatch and others will participate.

"We must not let this set us back or divide us," Carter-Lewis said. "We must grow and change for the better together."

Hatch said he won't step down from his position as a result of the incident and acknowledged he might draw an opponent when he runs for re-election.

"I don't mind being challenged; I don't mind having (to) discuss this," Hatch said.