Marion Barry: ‘Dirty Shops’ Asian Comments Not Race-Related

Controversial Washington Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry has toiled in the political spotlight for both positive gains and infamously negative reasons as well. Barry’s recent “dirty shops” comments toward Asian business owners in his district ignited a firestorm of bad press; however, Barry responded to the unsavory buzz that has ensued over the comments, saying they were not inspired by race.

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Speaking with Reason TV, the four-time former mayor of D.C. sidestepped the controversy with silky political ease. ““That’s not racial,” Barry told Reason. “The fact is that 95 percent of the carry-outs in Ward 8 are owned or managed by Asians. So I’m finished with that.”

On April 3, Barry said:

“We’ve got to do something about these Asians coming in, opening up businesses, those dirty shops. They ought to go, I’ll just say that right now, you know. But we need African-American businesspeople to be able to take their places, too.”