AMOS BROWN COMMENTARY ON LUCAS CONTROVERSY JUST ADDED! On Monday’s Afternoons with Amos, Host Amos Brown commented on the remarks made by Charlotte Lucas, Exec VP of Lucas Oil, that were negative and insensitive towards minorities. In his commentary and speaking with a caller to the program, Brown indicated his strong displeasure with Mrs. Lucas’ remarks. But in the spirit of AM1310 The Light, Amos called on Lucas and Lucas Oil to explain their record in hiring African-Americans, including African-American managers, and some evidence of how the company has provided in the words of the company “significant financial support” to organizations that serve Indianapolis’ African-American community. Brown said until he gets that information, he will not use the term “Lucas Oil” when referring to the downtown stadium. Brown also invited Charlotte Lucas to appear on the program in the spirit of “forgiveness and redemption”. Click the Media Player for Amos’ Commentary. Runs 7 Minutes ©2014 WTLC/Radio One. Read the Full Story of the Charlotte Lucas Controversy Below. In a story that only WRTV/Channel 6 covered, Investigative Reporter Rafael Sanchez reported on a Facebook post from the wife of the owner of the Lucas Oil Company, Charlotte Lucas. According to the Channel 6 story, Mrs. Lucas’ rant was disparaging about minorities. Here’s what she said on Facebook (now deleted).
“I’m sick and tired of minorities running our country! As far as I’m concerned, I don’t think that atheists (minority), muslims (sic) (minority) nor any other minority group has the right to tell the majority of the people in the United States what they can and cannot do here. Is everyone so scared that they can’t fight back for what is right or wrong with his country?” In a phone conversation with Sanchez, Mrs. Lucas supposedly said, “I was very upset when I wrote that I will not elaborate other than to say that there are certain people who are trying to make the whole world eat what they want to eat and do what they want to do. I don’t think it’s any of their business what I put in my mouth. Thank you.”
Charlotte Lucas is the wife of and Executive Vice-President of Lucas Oil, an oil products company which after a multi-million dollar payment to the Indianapolis Colts, has their name emblazoned on Lucas Oil Stadium. A stadium paid for by the taxes of Hoosiers, including minorities of all types. Mrs. Lucas’ anti-minorities rant shocks because I attended an event last spring at the Madame Walker Theater where the African-American arts and cultural organization gave a top award to Mrs. Lucas.
After Sanchez’ story aired, and a controversy began to boil, PR folks for Lucas and Lucas Oil sent a written apology supposedly from Charlotte Lucas which read: “I apologize to everyone for the insensitive comments posted on my Facebook account. My comments did not reflect my personal views about any individual or minority group, only my frustration that our government system sometimes seems out of balance. We live in a great country, but the agenda for our elected officials is too often dictated by special interest groups. My comments did not reflect my true feelings, and I am sorry for anyone may have been offended.”
In addition, an attorney for Lucas Oil also sent a statement to Channel 6 vouching for the Lucas Oil’s efforts at diversity. Said Attorney Robert Patison, “Actions speak louder than words. Lucas Oil is a small, family-owned, American company that prides itself on being a highly integrated and diverse organization with a great sense of community. We provide significant financial support for a broad range of organizations that serve the needs of veterans, women, other minority groups, and disadvantaged individuals throughout the United States. Fairness and equality are core values of our company.”
That may well be, but since Lucas Oil Company has had a prominent spot in Indianapolis after the opening of the stadium, and other than the award Mrs. Lucas received from the Walker, I’ve not seen a lot of evidence of Lucas Oil providing “significant financial support” to organizations that serve the largest minority group in Indianapolis – our African-American community.
Watch the two WRTV/Channel 6 stories on this controversy and weigh in. WRTV/Channel 6 Story On Charlotte Lucas Facebook Rant
WRTV/Channel 6 Story On Charlotte Lucas Apologizing for Minorities Rant
