Bucks president Peter Feigin said last week while speaking to the Rotary Club of Madison that Milwaukee was the “most segregated, racist” place he’s ever experienced. The New York native received national attention from the comments.
Milwaukee’s Mayor Tom Barrett responded to Feigin’s comments saying he’s eager to work with the Bucks to improve racial outcomes in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:
After his earlier comments about Milwaukee being the “most segregated, racist” place gained national attention, Bucks President Peter Feigin sought Tuesday to tamp down controversy by praising the community.
“Milwaukee is a terrific community with wonderful people and I am proud to be a part of it,” Feigin said in a statement. “I was addressing a question about the social, economic and geographic divides that exist and how we can help address them. It wasn’t my intention to characterize the general community as overtly racist.”
Feigin’s comments praising Milwaukee came nearly a week after the New York City native gave a stark assessment of the community while speaking to the Rotary Club of Madison, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
“Very bluntly, Milwaukee is the most segregated, racist place I’ve ever experienced in my life,” Feigin was quoted as saying. “It just is a place that is antiquated. It is in desperate need of repair and has happened for a long, long time. One of our messages and one of our goals is to lead by example.”
In response to his comments, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he’s eager to work with the Bucks to improve racial disparities in Milwaukee.
Barrett said he had a “good conversation” with Feigin on Monday, and told him, “I’m happy that you’re engaged in trying to improve our community.”
The mayor added that work needs to be done to address racial issues in Milwaukee.
For more on Feigin’s comments, visit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
