TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) — Mi-Lady Bakery in downtown Tifton is facing criticism on social media after a Facebook comment was made by Kyle Rhodes, who is listed as the company’s secretary in Georgia business records.

The comment, posted from a profile named Kyle Rhodes under a post on the Blue Lives Matter Facebook page, says “All voters of these stupid b****** line up to pick cotton.”

The Blue Lives Matter post says Katherine Juhan-Arnold, a Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent, Tyler Harper, in the Nov. 3 election for the position of Georgia agriculture commissioner. It says she is scheduled to take office in January of 2027.

The bakery responded in a Facebook statement, saying the comment does not reflect the views of its owner.

Bakery statement

The Mi-Lady Bakery Facebook page posted the following statement Thursday, Nov. 12:

“The recent post on another Facebook page account made by Kyle Rhodes is NOT a reflection of the ownership of Mi-Lady Bakery. CHIP RHODES is the SOLE owner of Mi-Lady Bakery and this is not his belief.”

The statement then included remarks attributed to Chip Rhodes:

“As a small business owner, I believe in treating every person with dignity, fairness, and respect. Our community is made up of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and political opinions, and every one of the deserves respect. The recent statement referring to voters as people who should “line up to pick cotton” is DEEPLY offensive, racially degrading, and completely unacceptable. No one should be demeaned for exercising their right to vote. Small businesses depend on strong communities, mutual respect, and the support of all people. we can disagree without insulting, degrading, or dividing one another. There is simply no place for this kind of rhetoric in our community.”

WALB’s Taylor Lewis spoke to the manager of the bakery in-person on Friday, Nov. 13. The only comment provided was that they’re actively addressing the situation.

What records and the bakery’s website show

Georgia Secretary of State business records list Mi-Lady Bakery, Inc. as an active domestic profit corporation located at 275 Brumby Way in Tifton. The records list Chip Rhodes as CEO, Kayla Cater as CFO, and Kyle Rhodes as secretary.

The bakery’s website says the Rhodes family came to Tifton in 1959. It says Frank and Mabel Rhodes bought the bakery in 1963, and that the legacy is now carried on by third-generation siblings, Kayla and Kyle Rhodes.

Community reaction

Community members expressed outrage on social media after the bakery’s statement was posted. These are comments from people under the post, as they appeared on Facebook:

“That makes me sick to my stomach that people are like this and are so blatant about it. Disgusting”

“Yikes ”

“This administration has brought out the worst in people. It’s made people so comfortable that they freely speak how they speak in closed doors and we should be thankful tbh. Cause we can open our eyes and realize the demons around us.”

A separate Facebook post about the bakery said:

“BLACK WOMEN WE ARE BEING TARGETED AT AN ALL TIME HIGH BC OF THE OUTCOME OF THE PAST MIDTERM ELECTIONS…. TRUE COLORS ARE #ONCE AGAIN SURFACING!!!! BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU SPEND YOUR BLACK DOLLARS! I WILL #NEVER SUPPORT THEM AGAIN!!! AND YOU SHOULDNT EITHER. DO NOT GIVE THEM A SECOND THOUGHT OF STEPPING FOOT IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENT.”

City leaders respond

The mayor of Tifton has responded to the incident, saying the community is not responsible for one individual’s comments.

“On behalf of the City of Tifton, we support and appreciate all businesses in this community. We can’t be responsible as a community for one individual’s comments, thoughts, or actions. With all of the good and positive progress we are making in this community, we choose to focus on the good. We’ll look forward to working with our new legislators and making sure Tifton is on their radar. And we will support them every step of the way,” said Mayor Julie Smith.

Councilman Lester L. Cromer Jr. also responded to the incident, saying:

“Every election season something interesting happens. The masks come off, true colors are revealed, and racism finds its way out the shadows in certain individuals.

Recently, a statement reportedly made in response to the election of Black Women saying, ‘All voters of these stupid b****** line up to pick cotton’ goes far beyond political disagreement.

Let’s call it what it is: a deeply racist and degrading statement directed at Black Women and those who supported them.

What’s equally disturbing is how some business owners forget that the very communities they disrespect are often the same communities spending money in their establishments and helping keep their doors open.

You have every right to your political opinion, but freedom of speech doesn’t mean freedom from accountability.

Never take the loyalty, support or the purchasing power of your customer base for granted.

People are watching. People are listening.

And most importantly, people are remembering.

Some masks don’t slip. They come completely off."

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