Colorado Professor, Doctor Calls Michelle Obama 'Monkey Face' with 'Poor Ebonic English,' Keeps Job

Despite making racist comments about First Lady Michelle Obama, a Colorado professor and doctor will keep her job where she makes $363,600 a year.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Despite what too many people seem to believe, claiming you're "not racist" actually does not necessarily mean you're not racist. However, that's what one Colorado professor and doctor is claiming after making racist comments about First Lady Michelle Obama.

According to Denver 7, Dr. Michelle Herren is a pediatric anesthesiologist who works at Denver Health Medical Center as well as an assistant professor at Colorado University's School of Medicine. She's also not a fan of FLOTUS, as she made clear in a racist Facebook post.

On Facebook, Herren posted a picture of Michelle Obama yelling, and added her own caption: "Doesn't seem to be speaking too eloquently here, thank god we can't hear her! Harvard??? That's a place for 'entitled' folks said all the liberals!" In the comments, Herren added, "Monkey face and poor ebonic English!!! There! I feel better and am still not racist!!! Just calling it like it is!"

Of course, even after being called out for the posts (which she's deleted), Herren doubled down on her argument that she's actually not racist. She says the comments were taken "out of context," and claims she was responding to another post which argued that it's OK to "say whatever they want about Melania Trump, but if they do the same about Michelle Obama they're considered racist," according to Denver 7.

But as noted by Joann Nieto, who exposed the posts, "Hiding behind the excuse that you're not racist, doesn't negate the fact that you are being racist."

Dr. Herren, who makes $363,600 a year, will keep from her job with Denver Health, where she's worked since late 2007. Denver Health said in a statement: "We don't condone nor do we agree with the statements Dr. Herren made, as they are inconsistent with Denver Health's mission and values. However, we cannot control the opinions our staff choose to express as private individuals."

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time that the always classy First Lady has been the victim of racist remarks. Earlier this month, a mayor in West Virginia resigned after calling her an "ape." Before that, a Georgia teacher aide was fired for calling her a "gorilla."

Latest in Life