Marion Barry Blood Clot Helps Councilman Find his 'Religion'
Councilman Marion Barry was hospitalized Monday in Las Vegas after suffering from a blood clot, causing him to find his "religion."
The former Washington D.C. mayor was heading to Nevada to participate in the International Council of Shopping Centers convention before falling ill and being taken to the hospital.
The councilman posted on Twitter Sunday that the blood clot developed while waiting on a Tennessee plane. The 76-year-old also addressed an issue he raised last month after suggesting that there were too many Filipino nurses in hospitals.
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"[I]f you go to the hospital now, you'll find a number of immigrants who are nurses, particularly from the Philippines," Barry said at a hearing on the University of the District of Columbia's budget last month, when addressing the issue of employing more African Americans.
However, after receiving medical treatment from a staff which included some Filipino nurses, the councilman proclaimed that he had found his "religion in Vegas."
"Being sick brings religion as much as I need to fight for the needs of my community I certainly don't want to hurt anyone in the process," Barry said. "So I got my religion in Vegas. Go figure. Much love to ALL my brothers from another mother and sisters from another mister. Peace. MB"
The councilman, who had previously defended that he was not being racist with his remark, suggested with his apology and thanks, that he may in fact have undermined the skill of Filipino nurses.
"I also thank outstanding medical staff incl kind professional Filipino staff. I stand corrected; I truly didn't mean 2 hurt or offend," Barry added on Twitter. "Well, well, well I am now ONLY b/c those who had big hearts showed me mine needed to be bigger. Thank you."
The councilman also reported that he would be able to leave the hospital and return to the conference, which was attended by a number of other politicians, although he would have to take blood thinners.
