Clay school board member: Most black people are nasty, rude, problematic
BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The chair of the Clay County School Board said one of her colleagues should consider resigning after posting a video to Facebook in which he said about African Americans, “80%, they’re being nasty, they’re being rude, they’re being problematic, always trying to fight, always disrespecting. So why would I want to be around people like that?”
The Clay News and Views website published the now-deleted social media post from school board member Robert Alvero’s account.
In the video, the Cuban immigrant, elected to the school board in 2024, stated, “I have had 80% more negative experience with the African American community in this country than with white people. That being said, it doesn’t mean I haven’t had good experiences with African American people. I have met a lot of great African American people, and I am still friends with them because they’re good, decent people, but that’s the 20% of the people I have met.”
Alvero added that because of his personal experience, he understands the views expressed by far-right political commentator Nick Fuentes, who, according to multiple sources, has promoted white nationalism, Christian nationalism, antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and other extremist views.
“I understand where Nick Fuentes is coming from,” Alvero states in the 1-minute, 22-second video, which appears to have been recorded from a vehicle. “Also, about what Nick Fuentes says, that everybody has a little bit of racism in them. I agree. I am Cuban. And sometimes I feel I am racist against my own people because we have our own personality, our own culture that a lot of other people don’t like. I learned how to be an American. So right now, I’m not even similar to my own race, so that’s why sometimes I don’t like to be around them.”
Clay GOP: Resign
School Board Chair Erin Skipper released a statement saying that she was aware of Alvero’s comments. She said she hoped Alvero “does the right thing and considers resigning.”
Skipper added that she plans on bringing up Alvero’s comments during the January 8 school board meeting.
In its own statement, the Clay County Republican Party Executive Board demanded Alvero’s immediate resignation.
“Clay County elected officials should always hold themselves to a higher standard and represent all people regardless of ethnicity,” wrote Rhonda Jett, the executive board’s chair. “The remarks that were made do not reflect what our community exemplifies.”
State official wants answers
Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas directed Alvero to appear before the State Board of Education on January 21 to explain his conduct.
“It is unclear to me how an individual entrusted with the oversight of educating over 39,000 students in Clay County could speak in such a way,” the state official wrote in a letter to Alvero. “This is even more concerning considering almost 7,000 (17.8%) of Clay County’s students are African American, and the district is filled with many hardworking African American teachers, school leaders, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and other employees. I can only imagine their deep disappointment during this holiday season on learning of your views.”
Alvero’s attorney, Anthony Sabatini, said his client would not appear before the state board.
“They have no authority to summon or reprimand or anything,” the attorney told First Coast News. “So, he requested him to show up. Obviously, Mr. Alvero would never waste his time appearing before a board that has literally no authority whatsoever on him, and so no, he won’t be there.”
Damage control
In a follow-up Facebook video, the school board member said he did not intend to offend anyone.
He added that in his original video, he was reflecting on his experiences as a Cuban immigrant living in downtown Jacksonville.
“I was saying that during my time there, I faced many negative interactions, including being called names and even physically assaulted,” he said. “But I also met many good decent people, people who remain my friends today. I want to clarify that these experiences are personal and didn’t mean to be generalized. Not everybody’s the same. It was meant to say people’s characters are not defined by their visual characteristics, life experiences, or socioeconomic standards. We as people are divisive.”
He added that as a Christian man, he loves everyone.
“Regardless of their race, I recognize that I could have expressed my thoughts more clearly, and I sincerely apologize if I offended anyone. That was never my intention. I believe actions speak louder than words, and I treat everyone with respect. My friendships are based on the content of their character, and that should be for everyone.”
Sabatini characterized criticism of his client as “ridiculous.”
“ANY adverse state action taken against Alvero in an attempt to punish him & force him into adopting politically correct viewpoints, will be responded to with a lawsuit for First Amendment Retaliation,” he said in a Facebook post.
