North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, vying for the Republican nomination for governor, took to the podium at a holiday breakfast in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to share his reflections on America’s ongoing challenges. In his 10-minute address at the Church of God in Christ, Forest delved into thought-provoking theories regarding the concept of race and the contentious issue of abortion rights, as revealed in audio obtained by Slate.
Forest kicked off his speech by recounting his daughter’s biology project on genetics, sparking reflections on dominant and recessive genes and their relevance to skin color. He humorously pondered if attendance at church could be determined by the presence of attached or detached earlobes, highlighting the misinterpretation of human dignity.
Expanding on his theme, Forest emphasized that God’s creation of Adam and Eve encompassed a genetic code capable of producing the diverse spectrum of human colors and features seen today. He lamented the categorization of individuals based on skin color into political identity groups, challenging conventional racial labels and emphasizing the diversity within humanity.
However, Forest’s discourse took a controversial turn when he asserted that Planned Parenthood was established with the intention of eradicating the black race, echoing a commonly cited but disputed narrative of anti-abortion rhetoric. He urged communities, irrespective of race, to unite in opposition to what he portrayed as a threat to human ideals and God’s intentions.
Forest’s remarks prompted scrutiny and critique, with some viewing his comments as a sophisticated denial of racial realities and an oversimplification of complex social issues. His juxtaposition of genetic diversity with contentious abortion rhetoric underscored the polarizing nature of his discourse.
Forest’s office and campaign have not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
