Maryland lawmaker apologises for using racist slur in floor speech

A Maryland Democratic congressman has beenforced to apologise after he used a racist slur during a speech he made on Capitol Hill.

Rep David Tronemade the apology after he dropped a disparaging term for Black people while speaking during a House Budget Committee hearing about tax policy in which the director of the Office of Budget and Management, Shalanda Young, was testifying. Ms Young is Black.

“So this Republican jigaboo that it’s the tax rate that’s stopping business investment, it’s just completely faulty by people who have never run a business. They’ve never been there. They don’t have a clue what they’re talking about,” he said.

The slur is a derogatory and offensive term for a Black person. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its origins can be traced back to a song from 1909, with the word being used throughout the early 20th century in association with the mockery of stereotypical African-American physical features.

Mr Trone apologised for his remarks in a statement to The Washington Post, claiming he misspoke and meant to use a different word.

“While attempting to use the word ‘bugaboo’ in a hearing, I misspoke and mistakenly used a phrase that is offensive,” he said.

Merriam-Webster defines “bugaboo” as “an imaginary object of fear”.

Rep David Trone

Mr Trone added that the word he used has a “long dark terrible history” and that it “should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation.”

“Upon learning the meaning of the word I was deeply disappointed to have accidentally used it, and I apologise,” he said, adding: “I recognize that as a White man, I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use — especially in the heat of the moment. Regardless of