Black ministers vouch for Pittenger after racial fumble | McClatchy Washington Bureau

His image reeling amid criticism that he made racist comments about Charlotte’s African-American protesters, North Carolina Rep. Robert Pittenger on Wednesday circulated testimonial letters from four black ministers who vouched for his character.

“I am not offering an escape for his statement,” the Rev. Charles E. Mack, Sr. of the Progressive Baptist Church wrote. “As my mom used to teach her children, engage your mind before putting your mouth in gear.”

Mack said Pittenger failed to do that before commenting over the BBC-TV news program that the city’s African-American demonstrators “hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not.”

Pittenger’s comments flew around the internet and made national television news. On the satirical HBO television show “Last Week Tonight,” host John Oliver mocked the congressman’s followup comment that he has a lot of African-American friends, joking that he likely has but one left.

Mack said Pittenger has apologized and that the congressman’s remark does not “in any way represent this man,” whom he called a friend of more than 30 years.

“Jealousy is obviously felt when you look at how certain privileges are restricted in the lighter hue community and not shared (a)cross other communities,” he wrote, expressing hope that “we can be honest, speak truths and still keep our friends in proper fellowship.”

The Rev. Robyn Gool, pastor of the Victory Christian Center, called Pittenger’s record “one of integrity, diligence and a continual effort towards the bettering of our city, state and nation.”

“In my relationship with him over these many years, I have never seen or perceived a racist spirit or heard a negative comment, but rather a genuine effort to understand the African-American issues,” Gool wrote.

The Rev. Phillip R.J. Davis, pastor of the Nations Ford Community Church, and Cynthia Davis, its founding pastor, praised Pittenger’s support for young black males, noting that he serves on the board of the Male Leadership Academy of Charlotte.

In a letter to Pittenger, they called him “a person of high moral character and ethical fortitude with a heart of compassion.”