Jill Biden criticised for likening Latino people to ‘tacos’
Jill Biden, the US first lady, has been criticised for likening Hispanic people to tacos in a speech.
Mrs Biden tried to compliment the Hispanic community in San Antonio, Texas, during a speech on Monday, saying they were as “unique” as “breakfast tacos”.
The First Lady’s comments prompted criticism, with some urging her not to stereotype the Latino community.
Addressing the annual conference of UnidosUS, she said: “The diversity of this community, 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, is your strength.”
In response to her remark, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists said “we are not tacos”.
The association added that they should not be reduced to stereotypes, adding that Latino heritage is complex.
It suggested “her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people and communities… Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.
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San Antonio is also one of the great Latino cities in the United States, with a population of nearly 1.5 million people that is 65% Hispanic or Latino, according to US Census data.
The largely Mexican-American city is fond of its breakfast tacos, part of the local cuisine.
President Joe Biden will meet with his Mexican counterpart, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, in the White House on Tuesday.
Conservatives on social media jumped on the gaffe, wondering what the liberal outrage would sound like if a prominent Republican had said it.
“No wonder Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party!” US Representative Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, wrote on Twitter.
