Gary Shipman, Democratic candidate competing for the North Carolina House, told a crowd on Sunday that he was a member of the African-American community according to the News & Observer.

When asked at the event how he would promote inclusion and "enthuse African-Americans," Shipman, a white man said, "I'm a member of the African-American community, and I've been where you are. I've been in your communities."

When asked about his remarks, Shipman saw no wrongdoing. He stated he never claimed to be Black, but still took ownership of being a part of the black community.

"I’ve eaten at many a fish fry held by my 'brothers' and 'sisters,' 'aunts' and 'uncles' in that community; I’ve celebrated birthdays, births, marriages, graduations, Christmas, Thanksgiving, July 4, etc., with many members of the African-American community," he wrote in a statement to The News & Observer.

He went on to say that other black people see him as a member of the community.

"There are people within that community and elsewhere that refer to me (and treat me) like their 'brother' or 'pops' or 'uncle', and I refer to them (and treat them) like my 'brothers', 'sisters' and children," Shipman wrote.

"Like other members of my family, many members of the African-American community have called me in the middle of the night when someone was sick or to come help them or some other member of their family, and I’ve responded — because they are my family," Shipman said. "Three years ago, when an African-American kid who I had known since he was born had his last parent die, I took him into my house for his final year of high school, helped get him ready for college, and just like I would one of my own, 'pushed' him out into the world to make his own way."

The most problematic statement of all is that Shipman said he doesn't see color.

"I don’t see color, I see people; and not because I’m running for the NC House either — I’ve talked the talk and walked the walk for many, many years," he said.

Gary Shipman,

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