Ten O'Clock News

[Alex Rodriguez] People who are basically insidious segregationists ought to be concerned about what we're doing because we're doing a very American thing. [Reporter Marcus Jones] Alex Rodriguez, head of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, is known for speaking his mind, but the comments he made to a reporter for this Jewish newspaper (The Jewish Advocate) have convinced some minority leaders that Rodriguez should step down from his position. [Jack Robinson] The NAACP is calling up on Governor Michael Dukakis to replace Commissioner Rodriguez, as his outspoken biases have served to compromise his position and the purpose of the agency that is entrusted with the eradication of the very same biases and stereotypes that Mr. Rodriguez has exhibited. [Jones] The NAACP objects to remarks Rodriguez made regarding the origin of anti-Semitic feelings among blacks. Rodriguez is quoted as saying "American blacks, especially in the South, grew up listening to anti-Jewish rhetoric on the part of whites. This could not help but inculcate them with feelings of dislike and mistrust toward Jewish people." Calling for Commissioner Rodriguez's resignation may seem harsh, but

there is concern that such a move may cause a rift between blacks and Hispanics. Yet there are some in the Latino community who support Robinson's position. [Latina interviewed] The NAACP does have a concern, because when you have someone in a position such as Commissioner Rodriguez, then we would expect that these sort of things are not made public. We all have our problems, but again I think he has an office to uphold that... [Jones] Do you think he might cause a rift between blacks and Hispanics? [Black woman] I don't think it will go that far, but it'll make people a little wary. [Black man] I don't think he should be set, you know, asked for his resignation. I think he's a good commissioner, and they should check where the source, where it came from. [Jones] In a written release today, Rodriguez said "I apologize to anyone who feels offended. I reject prejudice and I deplore generalizations about any group." He also said his words were taken out of context. But Bernard Hyatt, editor and publisher of The Jewish Advocate, defended the accuracy of the report. [Hyatt] Every interviewee says that things are out of context, I'll probably say that

this is out of context, but it's what you said. As long as...and he didn't deny that it is what he said...and I think that he's been put under a great strain, for no good reason really. [Jones] Hyatt says he never expected the article to generate so much controversy. He praises Rodriguez, however, for his honesty. [Hyatt] I think it's a very courageous thing to say that 'I have my feelings, I have my thoughts, I have my biases for that matter, but I don't apply them to the case at hand.' [Jones] The Advocate has agreed to publish an unedited letter from Rodriguez to, as he put it, "correct the record," a record which he says includes some 22 years spent fighting discrimination. For the 10 O'Clock News, I'm Marcus Jones.