PALIN: “I don’t talk to black guys”

Linn Washington Jr.: Palin's Racist Remark

[Making that racist remark, Royal contends, coupled with Gov Palin’s disengaged relations with racial minorities in Alaska speaks volumes about her character.

“When you view what happened with me in the context with what is happening with blacks and other minorities in Alaska under Gov Palin, it is clear that what I encountered was not a fluke. It shows her character,” Royal said during an interview hours after that press conference in DC where he directs the American Youth Symphony, Inc.

While that racist remark reflects character, Royal said, the flirtation by a woman who did not reveal at the time that she was both married and pregnant speaks to “mortality and fidelity.”

Royal said that in 1990, when performing with the Duke Ellington Band in Anchorage, the trombonist struck up a conversation with a woman at a fast food restaurant who initially identified herself as Sarah. During that conversation, Sarah volunteered that her last name was Heath, Royal said, after he mentioned the acclaimed jazz musician Percy Heath. Palin’s maiden name is Heath.

Royal said the conversation went smoothly until some of his fellow Band members came over to the table. Sarah’s entire demeanor changed.

While Royal is a light skin black man sometimes mistaken as white by whites, his fellow jazzmen causing Heath’s attitude shift were dark skin.

“You could see it…the body language. There was a visceral reaction,” said Royal who asked Sarah if something was wrong.

According to Royal, Heath’s response to his inquiry was, “Excuse me, but I don’t mess with black men.”

Royal said he told Heath, “I’m a black man” and Sarah responded, “But, you’re not really black.”

Royal, who admits trying to “hit on” Sarah, said he ended the conversation telling her not to worry about it and have a nice day.

Royal said he began connecting dots between that encounter 18-years ago and the current GOP VP candidate after watching a biographical report about Palin on television.

“I did not know Palin was the person I spoke with until I saw the MSNBC program,” Royal said. “My reaction was Holy Shit!”

When asked how he could possible remember a brief encounter so many years ago, Royal said, “there are a lot of details I do not remember but the key triggers are things anyone could remember and when a person says “I don’t talk to black guys” when the black guys are not actually trying to date you or talk to in anyway that is not a dating comment but a racist one.”]