Congresswoman Sparks Outrage After Calling 77-Year-Old Black Congressman ‘Boy’

Tennessee Republican Rep. Diana Harshbarger is facing mounting backlash after using racially charged language to mock Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green—an outspoken 77-year-old Black congressman known for his fiery opposition to Donald Trump.

During an interview with a local Christian group, Harshbarger described Green—who recently made headlines for dramatically protesting Trump’s address to Congress—as “boy,” a term long condemned for its deeply racist connotations when used by white individuals to refer to Black men.

“Al Green was over here with his cane and I’m like, ‘Gosh dang it, boy,’” Harshbarger told Johnson City-based F.A.M.E. Ministries in a recorded discussion. “He does not need that cane. That cane is a prop. I swear it’s not real.”

Her comments have been slammed as racially demeaning and ignorant of historical context. The term “boy,” when directed at an older Black man, carries the weight of decades of systemic racism—used to belittle, dehumanize, and strip Black men of dignity during the Jim Crow era and beyond. Civil rights groups have long pointed out that it’s “a verbal relic of white supremacy.”

Mocking a Protest

Rep. Green had stirred up the House chamber in February by rising mid-speech and pointing his cane directly at Trump, protesting Republican-backed proposals to slash Medicaid. The protest led to a formal censure, but also earned him praise from progressives and healthcare advocates across the country.

“He stood up for millions who rely on Medicaid,” said Jamila Price, a Houston-based healthcare activist. “And now he’s being mocked with racist language for it? It’s disgraceful.”

Rather than addressing the substance of Green’s protest, Harshbarger zeroed in on his appearance. “I’m wondering,” she continued, “one of my colleagues said, ‘Unscrew the gold part off of it and see if there’s a gun in there.’ I’m, like, ‘I don’t know about that man. He’s just Weird Al.’”

A Pattern Among Republicans?

This isn’t the first time Green has been targeted with racially tinged commentary. Shortly after the incident, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert—no stranger to controversy—called Green’s walking cane a “pimp cane” on social media, sparking similar outrage.

“She might as well have said the n-word,” civil rights attorney Elie Mystal said Monday. “It’s all about the same power dynamic—mocking a Black elder for daring to speak truth to power.”

Silence and Condemnation

Neither Harshbarger’s office nor Green’s have responded to requests for comment as of Monday evening. But Democratic lawmakers are demanding accountability.

“Calling a 77-year-old Black man ‘boy’ on tape isn’t just inappropriate—it’s racist,” tweeted Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX). “We can’t let this slide.”

The Congressional Black Caucus is reportedly preparing a formal rebuke, while progressive groups are calling for a censure vote against Harshbarger, accusing her of “engaging in racially hostile rhetoric unbefitting of a U.S. representative.”

Historical Echoes

The episode draws uncomfortable parallels to America’s long and painful history of white lawmakers using racially demeaning language toward Black colleagues. The fact that it happened in 2025—and during an interview with a Christian ministry—only underscores the urgency, advocates say.

“The racism is never subtle,” said Dr. Maya Holmes, a political science professor at Howard University. “It’s deliberate, it’s coded, and it’s meant to silence and ridicule.”

As the firestorm grows, Harshbarger’s silence is only deepening the controversy—and reminding Americans that for some lawmakers, the lessons of the past remain unlearned.