The Greensboro City Council has removed a Zoning Commission member after he refused to properly address a Black doctor by her formal title.
The exchange happened during a televised commission meeting Monday night. Carrie Rosario, who holds a doctorate in public health, had raised concerns about a development project. Zoning Commissioner Tony Collins, a contractor and newcomer to the board, repeatedly addressed Rosario as ”Mrs. Rosario,” despite her asking several times to be referred to as “Dr. Rosario.”
Collins said the name he saw on the screen was “Carrie Rosario,” and that what he called her “doesn't really matter.”
The clip was replayed during Tuesday's City Council meeting. Councilwoman Sharon Hightower called it “a very disrespectful exchange between an important commissioner and a public citizen” that should never have happened. She said that Collins was using “white privilege” in his refusal to honor Rosario's request.
The Charlotte Observer reports the council voted unanimously to remove Collins from the Zoning Commission.