"'Taco'-like Latin community"... Various criticisms follow US First Lady's biased remarks

Even Trump Faced Embarrassment After Posting Taco Photos to Support Hispanics in the Past

Jill Biden, wife of U.S. President Joe Biden (right), is giving a speech related to COVID-19 on June 24 last year (local time) at a drive-thru vaccination site in Kissimmee, Florida, together with Anthony Fauci (left), director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] Jill Biden, wife of U.S. President Joe Biden, faced criticism from various quarters after comparing the Latino community to the Mexican representative dish "taco."

According to the British BBC on the 11th (local time), Mrs. Biden attended the annual meeting of the U.S. Latino civic organization "Unidos US" held in San Antonio, Texas.

She praised Ra?l Izaguirre, a Latino former Democratic congressman who led the organization for 30 years, and in appealing to Latino voters, said, "This community is as special as the 'breakfast taco' here in San Antonio."

San Antonio has a population that is about 65% Hispanic and Latino, with a particularly high proportion of Mexican Americans. It is presumed that Mrs. Biden used this expression considering that tacos are a representative food of Mexico.

However, conservatives and the Hispanic community have issued successive criticisms of the remark.

Republican Congressman Andy Biggs pointed out on Twitter, "Now I understand why Hispanic voters are increasingly leaving the Democratic Party."

The Hispanic Journalists Association released a statement saying, "The heritage of Latinos consists of numerous diasporas, cultures, and food traditions," and urged, "Do not try to confine us to the stereotype of just 'taco' while ignoring this complexity."

The association also criticized Mrs. Biden and those involved in the speech, saying, "They need to better understand the diversity of our community."

There have been past cases where linking "taco" with the Hispanic community caused embarrassment. Former President Donald Trump posted a photo eating tacos on Twitter during his 2016 presidential campaign and wrote, "I love Hispanics," which drew heavy criticism both inside and outside the political sphere.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.