Iftar Timings Mar 29 - Ramazan 18

Lahore
LHR
06:20 PM
Karachi
KHI
06:47 PM
Islamabad
ISB
06:26 PM
Peshawar
PWR
06:31 PM
Quetta
QTA
06:49 PM

News

We are not tacos, Jill Biden told as Hispanic remark backfires

July 12, 2022 11:16 PM


A culturally insensitive comment by US First Lady Jill Biden which spread like wildfire across social media prompted a White House apology Tuesday and outrage from a group which insisted Hispanics "are not tacos."

During a speech Monday in Texas, Biden hailed the state's diversity as being "as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio."

Her remark may have been a nod to a popular dish in heavily Hispanic southern Texas but it fell flat as a pancake, quickly becoming a focus of derision, scorn and political opportunism.

"The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community," Biden press secretary Michael LaRosa said on Twitter.

The mea culpa came the morning after a scathing rebuke by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, which warned Biden against reducing their diverse community to "stereotypes."

"We are not tacos," NAHJ said.

"Using breakfast tacos to try to demonstrate the uniqueness of Latinos in San Antonio demonstrates a lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the diversity of the Latinos in the region."

The first lady's Texas trip was intended to appeal to Hispanic voters, traditionally an important electoral component for President Joe Biden's Democratic Party.

The United States is home to some 62 million Hispanics, according to 2020 census data.

The NAHJ said it urged Biden "to take the time in the future to better understand the complexities of our people and communities."

With some four months to go before the US midterm congressional elections, Republicans joined in the criticism.

"Hispanics aren't a monolith," congressman Carlos Gimenez of Florida posted on Twitter.

"No wonder Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party!" congressman Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican, said.

Over the past year, President Biden's approval rating has dropped from 55 percent to just 26 percent among Hispanic voters, a Quinnipiac poll showed.

 



Most Read

  1. Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh
  2. Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation
  3. Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing
  4. Sahiba meets her father for the first time Sahiba meets her father for the first time
  5. Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba
  6. ‘Khaie's incredible ending receives rave reviews and big applause ‘Khaie's incredible ending receives rave reviews and big applause

Opinion

  1. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  2. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  4. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer

  6. Literate the Religious Illiterate
    Literate the Religious Illiterate

    By Dr Asif Channer