San Jose Councilwoman Stirs Racial Uproar : Minorities: Black lawmaker makes remarks interpreted as prejudicial toward Latinos, Asian-Americans and gays. She is being pressured to resign.

Barely five months into her term, the lone African-American on San Jose’s City Council is facing a possible recall and has been officially condemned by her colleagues in a furor over her remarks about minorities.

During a speech this month at a black empowerment workshop, Councilwoman Kathy Cole charged that Latinos, Asian-Americans and homosexuals enjoy preferential treatment at San Jose City Hall.

Cole referred to Latinos as tenacious “pit bulls” and, using her fingers to pull her eyes into slits, said of Asians: “If you get up and slant your eyes, you might get something out of the deal.”

The remarks, which were videotaped, caused an uproar in San Jose, prompting a number of community groups--including African-American organizations--to assail Cole as a bigot and demand that she resign. Cole has apologized but refused to resign.

On Tuesday, the City Council weighed in, voting 10-0 after an emotional four-hour hearing to condemn Cole for remarks that Mayor Susan Hammer called deplorable. The formal condemnation was said to be unprecedented in San Jose history.

“We are one of the most diverse cities in the world, and that is something people here celebrate, not something we regret,” Councilwoman Margie Fernandez said in an interview. “Kathy’s actions are not in keeping with the values of San Jose, and she should resign.”

Black community leaders, who expected Cole to be a key advocate when she was elected last November, appear to be split over how to resolve what they call a painful dilemma.

Most agree that Cole’s comments were damaging to race relations in the nation’s 11th-largest city. But some believe that the controversy will all blow over, and others insist that she must step down or be recalled.

“Sometimes we get caught up in the emotion of speech and our head doesn’t always say what our heart really means,” said Pastor Willie T. Gaines of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where Cole has been a member for 18 years. “The fact is, we all make mistakes.”

Ron McPherson, president of the Santa Clara County Black Chamber of Commerce, agreed but said that in this case, Cole must pay for her mistake.

“There are some African-Americans who say we must stand by her even though she is wrong,” said McPherson, who belongs to Cole’s church but plans to work to oust her from office. “I cannot. If we tolerate bigotry in Kathy Cole’s case, then how can we set a higher standard for others?”

Cole, 46, is a political rookie who owns a San Jose auto polish business with her husband, Sam. Last fall, she received the endorsement of the City Hall Establishment and handily won her council seat in southeast San Jose’s Evergreen district, where Latinos and Asian-Americans outnumber blacks nine to one.

When the flap over her remarks surfaced, Cole defended her comments and insisted that she was misinterpreted. Then, as the controversy swelled, Cole issued a four-page apology asking the city for forgiveness.

In an interview Wednesday, Cole said she meant her comments as compliments to the minority groups. She said her audience was black activists “wondering how they could enjoy what they see other groups enjoying. While my words were unfortunate, there was never an intent to hurt.”

Although the drama has been “very distressing,” Cole said she will fight to hold her seat and said many in her district support her.

“The only consolation I have is that I know who I am,” Cole said. “I know that I generally love people.”