Joe Biden issued a statement intended to “clarify” controversial comments on Latino and black Americans, but declined to apologize directly for his phrasing.
“Earlier today, I made some comments about diversity in the African American and Latino communities that I want to clarify. In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith — not by identity, not on issues, not at all,” the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said on Twitter on Thursday.
Earlier today, I made some comments about diversity in the African American and Latino communities that I want to clarify. In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith—not by identity, not on issues, not at all.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 7, 2020
He was referencing his comment in which he suggested that Latino communities have much more diversity of thought than black communities. “Unlike the African American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things,” Biden said in a Tuesday interview released Thursday.
Biden continued his clarification in subsequent tweets: “Throughout my career I’ve witnessed the diversity of thought, background, and sentiment within the African American community. It’s this diversity that makes our workplaces, communities, and country a better place. My commitment to you is this: I will always listen, I will never stop fighting for the African American community and I will never stop fighting for a more equitable future.”
My commitment to you is this: I will always listen, I will never stop fighting for the African American community and I will never stop fighting for a more equitable future.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 7, 2020
The comment sparked a flurry of attacks on Thursday from President Trump and his surrogates.
“Joe Biden, this morning, totally disparaged and insulted the black community. What he said is incredible. And I don’t know what’s going on with him, but it was a very insulting statement he made,” Trump said on Thursday. “I guess you’ll figure that out. You’ll see it in a little while. But it was a great insult to the black community.”
Biden’s lack of support among Hispanic voters was an issue for him in the Democratic primaries, and he is hoping to increase his support among the demographic in the general election. Earlier this week, Biden released a plan aimed at empowering the Latino community in the United States.
