Indiana parade float depicts Obama in toilet and words 'Lying African'

SHERIDAN, Ind. — An entry in Sheridan's Independence Day Parade included what some are calling a racist depiction of President Obama in a toilet and the words "Lying African."

"The parade, it's for kids. This is Independence Day," said Darryl Brownie, 31. "It was just wrong."

Brownie was at the parade with his wife and four children, ages 2 through 9, when he saw the golf cart and started taking photos. He posted the pictures on Facebook because he wanted to let the public know "how disrespectful it was."

The golf cart displayed signs for presidential candidate Donald Trump on the roof. The driver appeared to be wearing an orange prison suit and a blond wig.

Don Christy, 73, Sheridan, told The Indianapolis Star he drove the golf cart in the parade. He said he didn't fill out an entry form. He said he lined up with other floats at the high school parking lot and was waved along when the parade started.

"I'm not a Democrat. I'm not a Republican," Christy said. "I'm a patriot."

Christy said he is tired of political correctness and was just trying to be funny. The display was not intended to be racist, he said. Christy agreed that others have a right to be offended, just as he has the right to express his views.

"I apologize to anyone I offended, which would be a total liberal. I have my right to say things," Christy said. "Isn't that what the Fourth of July's about? Freedom."

Sheridan Police Chief Robert Shock said Tuesday morning that he had not yet heard any complaints about the golf cart.

"The only thing we do is lead the parade and direct traffic,"  Shock told The Indianapolis Star. "I saw it for the first time when it came by me at the parade."

The Sheridan Lions Club organized the parade. Shock said.

Rick Cox, a member of the Sheridan Lions Club, confirmed that the club runs the parade in reply to a post on Facebook.

Other Sheridan officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Sheridan, population 2,900, is a small rural community in northern Hamilton County. In 2012, the county gave 66 percent of its votes to Republican Mitt Romney and 32 percent to Obama.

Follow Vic Ryckaert on Twitter: @vicryc