Creator of racist BART comments calls Confederate general a ‘genius’

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After apologizing for using racist language during a board meeting, a BART executive has now called a slave-owning Confederate general a “military genius”.

NAACP director John McPartland described racial equity work presented to BART staff as an inspiration for cotton picking at a Jan. 12 board meeting. He pleaded ignorance in an apology presented to Standard on Tuesday.

I’m saddened that my ignorance and education came at such a high cost, said McPartland, who is white. I’m disappointed in myself for not being aware. It was unacceptable, and we have to see what happens.

On Wednesday, a story of him making controversial comments emerged.

‘Robert E. Lee Was a Military Genius’ BART arrives at Powell Street Station in San Francisco. | Juliana Yamada / The Standard

McPartland told a black lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union that she was very eloquent in 2019 and called Robert E. Lee an exemplary general in 2020 during a discussion on Black Lives Matter. The 78-year-old said he apologized to the woman shortly after and she accepted his apology.

However, he maintained his characterization of Lee when a discussion of Black Lives Matter and policing turned to removing monuments to Americans with racist heritage. Lee, a slave owner, led the Confederate States Army to defeat in the American Civil War because of slavery.

Robert E. Lee was a military genius, McPartland told The Standard by phone Wednesday. He said that men with racist heritages are part of our history. We should also put up a plaque that says, “He’s a slave owner and a racist. They should be recognized for both.

“There is a story here”

Activists are now calling for McPartland to be removed from his roles and go further with his apology.

Reverend Julius X. Van Hook of the Contra Costa County Interfaith Council is asking that McPartland be disqualified from participating in a discussion of the violation and that he be removed from one or more BART committees. Van Hook is also asking for a written apology and a public apology for the racist comments at the next BART board meeting on January 26.

Ultimately, it’s a multibillion-dollar transportation agency representing thousands of people, Van Hook told The Standard. The impact of his words affects every runner. There is a story here.

McPartland added that he is writing a formal apology for the cotton picking statement and plans to issue a public apology in addition to personally apologizing to the black staff who made the presentation. He said he would accept whatever came his way.

BART general manager Bob Powers emailed staff after McPartland apologized on Tuesday.

“The language was insensitive and unacceptable to the staff who made the presentation as well as embarrassing to the district,” the email read. “BART is committed to ensuring a workplace free of discrimination and to providing a more inclusive and equitable workplace.”

Spokeswoman Alicia Trost said it was up to BART’s board of directors to decide on disciplinary action.

I hope I didn’t end up digging a bigger hole, McPartland said after defending Lee.

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