Utah State Senator Apologizes for Telling Black Women 'You People Are Beautiful'

Utah State Senator Derrin Owens has apologized after strong criticism of remarks he made to Black women during a hearing of the state's Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee on Tuesday.

Owens, a Republican, was one of several lawmakers listening to testimony from the women about a proposed bill that would amend the Utah Antidiscrimination Act to provide protection from employment discrimination based on hairstyles historically associated with race, such as Afros, braids and curls.

The women offered their views on the legislation, which Owens opposes, and how they thought it would help people of color in the state. The state senator then offered comments on their appearance.

"Let me make a comment, you people are beautiful," Owens said, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

"I was in the store the other day and you won't be able to see this picture - a gentleman in front of me - a Black man had 2 young children and they were just having fun up and down the aisle," Owens said.

"He was trying to check out and I got to be friends with him. And I don't normally take pictures of children. They were two adorable Black children. Just the cutest kids in the world. One has corn rows and one has dreadlocks."

One of the witnesses, 16-year-old Tereza Richardson, responded to Owens' comment, pointing out he is not in favor of the bill.

"It felt backhanded and performative because he said, 'they are beautiful and I love them. I think they are special,' but then he doesn't want to go through with this bill," Richardson said.

Richardson's adopted mother, Holly Richardson, and Alliance for a Better Utah, a progressive group, also offered criticism of the state senator's remarks, according to Fox 13.

Owens issued a statement on his comments later on Tuesday, saying: "Individuals are taking the comments made during the committee entirely out of context. My intent was to encourage and praise the 16-year-old for having the courage to testify during the committee meeting. I did not mean to offend her or anyone. I apologize if my choice of words during the live committee came off as offensive.

"My story about the picture on my phone was about showing kindness to one another. I was helping a dad who had two beautiful rambunctious young children playing at the grocery store while he was checking out.

"I showed the kids a picture of my cows to hold their interest. Then they wanted to see themselves on my phone, so I took a picture of them posing. The dad thanked me for helping, and the clerk mentioned how nice it was to help this father. I encourage individuals to listen and consider the context of the story instead of attacking," Owens said.

The legislation on protective hairstyles was deadlocked in committee on a 2-2 vote and is likely to come up before lawmakers again.