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Jill Biden criticized for saying Latinos are as unique as 'breakfast tacos'
This Mother’s Day, I wanted to be with Ukrainian mothers and their children. Over the last few months, far too many Ukrainians have had to flee their homes – forcing them to leave behind their loved ones. (Jill Biden Twitter account)

US first lady Jill Biden’s attempt to compliment Latinos flopped on Monday (July 11) when she said they were as unique as “breakfast tacos,” prompting criticism from across the political spectrum, the Alatabiya English reported, citing Reuters.

Speaking in San Antonio at the annual conference of UnidosUS, formerly known as the National Council of La Raza, Biden attempted to praise Raul Yzaguirre, who led the civil rights and advocacy organization for 30 years.

Biden said: “Raul helped build this organization with the understanding that 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 New York City, people love the convenience stores known as bodegas that are often run by Dominican or Puerto Rican merchants. Biden mispronounced the word as “bogedas.”

Miami has long been a destination for Latinos who migrate to the US.

Hispanic and Latino Americans are Americans of full or partial Spanish, and/or Latin American ancestry. More broadly, these demographics include all Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latino regardless of ancestry - Photo. Pixabay

According to US Census data, San Antonio is also one of the great Latino cities in the US, with a population of nearly 1.5 million people that is 65 percent Hispanic or Latino.

The largely Mexican-American city is fond of its breakfast tacos, part of the local cuisine.

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The National Association of Hispanic Journalists was not impressed, saying Biden and her speech writers ought to “better understand the complexities of our people.”

The association said in a statement: “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.”

Conservatives on social media jumped on the gaffe, wondering what the liberal outrage would sound like if a prominent Republican had said it.

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Republican from Arizona, wrote on Twitter: “No wonder Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party!” US Representative Andy Biggs.”

Source: alarabiyaenglish