US First Lady Jill Biden’s attempt to praise Latinos backfired on Monday when she said they were as unique as “breakfast tacos”, drawing criticism from around the world. political spectrum.
Speaking in San Antonio at the annual conference of UnidosUS, formerly known as the National Council of La Raza, Jill tried to praise Raúl Yzaguirre, who led the civil rights organization for 30 years.
“Raul helped build this organization with the understanding that the diversity of this community, as distinctive as the bodegas in the Bronx, as beautiful as the flowers in Miami and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio, is their strength. “, she said.
In New York City, people love grocery stores known as bodegas, which are usually run by Dominican or Puerto Rican merchants. The First Lady mispronounced the word as “bogedas”.
Miami has long been a destination for Latinos immigrating to the United States.
San Antonio is also one of the largest Latino cities in the United States, with a population of nearly 1.5 million people, 65% Hispanic or Latino, according to US Census data.
The mostly Mexican-American town enjoys breakfast tacos, which are part of the local cuisine.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists was unimpressed, saying Biden and his speechwriters should “better understand the complexities of our people.”
“We are not tacos. Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by a variety of diasporas, cultures and food traditions, and should not be reduced to a stereotype,” the association said in a statement.
Apology from Jill Biden’s Office
First lady Jill Biden’s office issued an apology Tuesday morning after the criticism she received for her comments about Latinos.
“The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed nothing but pure admiration and love for the Latino community,” Michael LaRosa, a spokesperson for the First Lady, said in a message on Twitter.
Nicole Chavez, from CNN who was in the room for the first lady’s speech, said the comments, which cite examples from Latin life, were met with applause in the packed conference room.
In her speech, the first lady also discussed the bipartisan gun legislation signed by the president and the Uvalde tragedy, located just outside San Antonio.
He then spoke about the diversity within the Latino community, but also about their common desires.
“Yes, the Latino community is unique. But what I’ve heard from you over and over again is that you want what every family wants. good schools. Good jobs. Safe neighborhoods,” Jill said.
She also highlighted her husband’s efforts to increase Latino representation in government.
“He [Joe Biden] appointed Latinos to the highest positions in his cabinet. He ensured that legislation, like the American Bailout, focused on equity. His team worked with all of you — Unidos and many of the affiliates here — to vaccinate Latinos, fight hunger, and invest in your small businesses.
Conservatives on social media parsed into Jill Biden’s comments, imagining what liberal outrage would have been like if a prominent Republican had said that.
“No wonder Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party!” , wrote US Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona on Twitter.
With information from CNN’s Kate Bennett and Kyle Blaine
Source: CNN Brasil
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