Rep. Ayanna Pressley suggested that part of the reason black people in the United States have been hit hard by the coronavirus is due to the “comorbidities of structural racism” and “food apartheid systems.”
“The coronavirus is the third leading cause of death for black Americans,” the Massachusetts Democrat said on MSNBC this week. “So, the most vulnerable and marginalized communities because of the comorbidities of structural racism, because of unequal access to healthcare, because of transportation deserts and food apartheid systems have been the most vulnerable to contracting this virus. “
.@AyannaPressley says black Americans are most vulnerable to contracting COVID:
“Because of the comorbidities of structural racism
Because of unequal access to healthcare.
Because of transportation deserts and food apartheid systems.”pic.twitter.com/zFQrnFJt7V— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 12, 2020
Pressley’s comment quickly drew criticism on Twitter from those on the Right, including from national security consultant David Reaboi who tweeted, “I’m not sure they understand the extent to which this kind of insanity radicalizes people. Who’d want to share a country with this?”
I’m not sure they understand the extent to which this kind of insanity radicalizes people. Who’d want to share a country with this? https://t.co/0E3ZS0soE5
— David Reaboi (@davereaboi) December 11, 2020
“Food apartheid systems?” author Ryan Girdusky tweeted. “You mean if you live near a Whole Foods you can’t get COVID.”
Food apartheid systems?
You mean if you live near a Whole Foods you can’t get COVID https://t.co/hT2E0GKTcf
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) December 12, 2020
“Food apartheid systems,” podcaster Dave Rubin tweeted. “These people are absolute embarrassments and should have no power over you.”
“Food apartheid systems.”
These people are absolute embarrassments and should have no power over you. https://t.co/CYBr98xmWn
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) December 11, 2020
The congresswoman responded to Rubin’s comment on Twitter and stood by her use of the phrase “food apartheid systems.”
“I said exactly what it is,” Pressley tweeted. “Food apartheid looks at the whole food system & takes into account income, race & geo. It recognizes social & racial inequalities & that the *systems* in place are what makes it difficult for people in low income areas to access fresh, healthy food.”
I said exactly what it is. “Food apartheid looks at the whole food system & takes into account income, race & geo. It recognizes social & racial inequalities & that the *systems* in place are what makes it difficult for people in low income areas to access fresh, healthy food.” https://t.co/5B0A6WR3rJ
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) December 11, 2020
