Photo: City of Huntsville
The first Black councilwoman of Huntsville, Alabama was targeted with a racist letter, calling her a "dumb n*****" with a "nappy head," per Atlanta Black Star.
Last week, Michelle Watkins, the first Black woman elected to represent North Huntsville's District 1, took to social media to share the racist letter she received in the mail.
The handwritten letter, addressed to Watkins' office on the sixth floor of Huntsville's City Council building, contained apparent grammatical errors, a racial slur, and an insult about her appearance.
“Dear, Please to try not acting like a dumb [n-word] in front of the camera! Fix your nappy head!” the letter reads, “Thanks, Tennessee Valley.”
In response to the letter, Watkins wrote on social media, “Is my hair nappy? I received this today through the mail at the City of Huntsville.”
Mayor Tommy Battle released a statement condemning the "malicious attack" against Watkins.
“I saw the malicious attack on Council Member Michelle Watkins, and it makes me mad,” Battle said. “I condemn and detest this kind of attack. Our community is much better than what that message reflects. The City denounces this incident in the strongest terms. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The Huntsville-Madison County NAACP also issued a statement, calling out the "vile and racist letter."
“The Huntsville-Madison County NAACP Branch unequivocally condemns the vile and racist letter recently sent to Councilwoman Michelle Watkins,” the group said. “This act of hatred is not only a personal attack on a dedicated public servant, but also an assault on the values of equity, justice, and dignity that we, as a society, must uphold.”
“We stand in full solidarity with Councilwoman Watkins and affirm her right to serve her community free from threats, intimidation, and racism in any form. No one—especially an elected official working to uplift and represent her constituents—should be subjected to such hateful rhetoric.”
The NAACP branch urged authorities to launch an investigation into the incident.
“This incident is a stark reminder that racism remains a persistent threat in our communities, and it must be confronted with courage and unity,” the group's statement continued. “The Huntsville-Madison County NAACP Branch remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting civil rights and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race, can live and lead without fear.”
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