Arkansas mayor in blackface, racist stunt.

What a douche. From ArkCity:

Arkansas City Mayor Mell Kuhn on Thursday issued an apology for his actions during a fundraising event in Winfield that some residents found insulting and racially offensive.

Kuhn met with the area NAACP president in Wichita Wednesday evening in response to mounting controversy about his decision to portray a black woman with a derogatory name for the Men In Tights fundraiser.

The event is held by CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and is a beauty pageant spoof with men dressing as women. This was its 10th year.

After the meeting in Wichita, Kuhn signed the following statement, which is posted on the NAACP's Web site, wichitanaacp.org.

"It has been brought to my attention how offensive this was and I absolutely agree that it was shortsighted of me not to see that in the first place. I am sincerely sorry and I sincerely apologize for the offensive nature of my actions. This was not CASA, this was of my own volition, and I take full responsibility for my actions. The buck absolutely stops here."

The apology is a reversal from statements Kuhn made to the Traveler yesterday, in which he defended naming his character"Smellishis Poon" and painting his face dark for the event.

He said he originally intended to portray an over-the-top black women, but the performance ended up being more of a general "exotic, ethnic" character. In fact the judges awarded him Mr. CASA, and most creative talent, and the audience liked his performance, he said.

But interviews with people there indicated that some found the name inappropriate, even for a cross-dressing event, and were bothered by the racial caricature. Comments on Traveler blogs also were very critical.

Kuhn said yesterday criticism of his actions were PC "bullshit" and "I don't give a damn what anybody thinks."

But after an hour-long conversation with Kevin Myles, president of the Wichita NAACP, Kuhn said he now realizes why some people would be offended. The Wichita chapter represents the Ark City area.