US First Lady compares Latino Americans to breakfast tacos
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After US First Lady compares Latino Americans to breakfast Tacos, several Latino senators respond as well as the National Association of Latino Journalists.
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US First Lady Jill Biden
US First Lady Jill Biden is receiving harsh criticism from a wide spectrum of individuals and groups for comparing Latino Americans to breakfast tacos, the typical Mexican dish made of a tortilla topped with a filling.
"The variety of the Latino population is as distinctive as the morning tacos in San Antonio, Texas," the First Lady said on Monday during a speech in support of civil rights leader Raul Yzaguirre.
Soon after, the First Lady and her communications staff were urged by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists "to take time to better understand the complexities of our people and communities" via social media.
"We are not tacos. Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures, and food traditions. Do not reduce us to stereotypes," the statement said.
US Senator Marco Rubio, who is also of Cuban descent, altered his Twitter profile image to a taco in protest.
"New Profile Pic," Rubio wrote.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/QsYqCaNOoP
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 12, 2022
The Arizona Republican and US Congressman Andy Biggs was among many who took issue with Biden's remark about Latinos leaving the Democratic Party owing to their displeasure with how they are being treated in addition to their challenging socioeconomic circumstances.
"No wonder Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party!" Biggs said via Twitter.
Jill Biden says Hispanics are as “unique” as tacos and calls bodegas “bogidas.”
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) July 11, 2022
No wonder Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party! pic.twitter.com/rhBB1pSNvZ
Meanwhile, Biden’s press service sought to defuse the criticism by offering an apology for her statement.
"The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community," Michael LaRosa, Biden’s press secretary, said via Twitter.
The First Lady's divisive statement comes as President Joe Biden's popularity rating is at an all-time low ahead of the November midterm elections. The remarks also come as Biden and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the president of Mexico, are scheduled to meet on Tuesday despite deteriorating bilateral ties.
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