Brooklyn congresswoman's comments on slavery raise eyebrows - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Brooklyn congresswoman's comments on slavery to Stephen Colbert raise eyebrows

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NEW YORK (AP) -

Rep. Yvette Clarke's remarks on New York history took some ribbing from Stephen Colbert.

First, the impish TV host goaded Clarke to rap. She demurred, then sportingly tried to wing a few words.

Then Colbert asked what she'd say if she could travel back to 1898.

Her reply: "Set me free."

The incredulous Colbert asked from what. The Brooklyn Democrat said: "slavery."

Colbert said he didn't realize Brooklyn had slavery then. Clarke said she was "pretty sure there was."

New York state abolished slavery in 1827.

Asked who'd be enslaving her in 1898, Clarke said "the Dutch."

Wrong. The Dutch ceded control of New Amsterdam to the English in the late 1600s.

Clarke's spokeswoman, Kristia Beaubrun, told the Daily News it was "supposed to be humorous."

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