Cub Scout Kicked Out of Den for Questioning Lawmaker About Gun Control
An 11-year-old Colorado Cub Scout was kicked out of his den after he questioned a Republican state lawmaker about her position on gun control and controversial comments she made in 2013 about health and black people eating fried chicken.
Ames Mayfield's Cub Scouts group were told to come ready for their October 9th scout meeting in Broomfield with questions for State Senator Vicki Marble about issues important to them. Mayfield told Marble he was shocked that she'd sponsored a bill allowing domestic violence offenders to own guns and said, "There is something wrong in our country where Republicans believe it's a right to own a gun but a privilege to have health care." He also told Marble he was, quote, "astonished that you blamed black people" for their health problems, which she denied she'd done.
When Marble drew criticism in 2013 for seemingly drawing a link between the health of black people and eating fried chicken and barbecue, she said she was saddened that her comments were interpreted as disparaging.
Mayfield's mother, Lori Mayfield, said a local scout leader told her later that the topic of gun control was inappropriate because of its political nature and that her son's questions were disrespectful. The Boy Scouts wouldn't comment on why Mayfield as asked to leave, but said he is joining a new den. Marble said she didn't blame Mayfield, believing there was a, quote, "element of manipulation involved" by his mother. But Lori Mayfield denied that, saying she and her son researched Marble together, and she just typed up his questions using his own words.
Here's the "fried chicken incident," so you can decide for yourself whether it's racist:
(Pulse Networks)