African-American ministers express support for Pittenger after his inflammatory comments

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 -- African-American ministers from three Charlotte-area churches express support for Congressman Robert Pittenger, R-Charlotte, after he told the BBC that Charlotte protesters hated "white people because white people are successful."

Posted 4:54 p.m. Sep 29, 2016 — Updated 10:59 a.m. Sep 30, 2016

As the city of Charlotte was seeking to calm racial divisions last week, Republican U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger, who represents the city, appeared to fan the flames with a quote to during an interview with the British Broadcasting Company. "They hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not." Pittenger said of the protesters.

The comments went viral on social media and quickly made their way into the mainstream media. In the days since, Pittenger has apologized saying he was “trying to discuss a lack of economic mobility for African-Americans “because of failed policies.”

This week his distributed letter from three Charlotte-area African-American pastors "whom Congressman Pittenger has worked with on may outreach efforts for over 25 years." The letters, from Pastor Charles E. Mack Sr. of the Progressive Baptist Church in Charlotte; Pastor Robyn Gool of the Victory Christian Center in Charlotte and Pastors Philip R.J Davis and Cynthia Davis of Nations Ford Community Church, are linked to this post. -- SETH EFFRON

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