Jill Biden is sorry. The first lady apologized Tuesday for comments she made while giving a speech in San Antonio highlighting the importance of diversity in that community.
While speaking to Unidos U.S., the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, Mrs. Biden commented on the uniqueness and diversity in San Antonio.
“As distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx,” Mrs. Biden said. “As beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio.”
While there were a few laughs in the crowd at the first lady’s comments in San Antonio, there was immediate backlash online.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) said in a statement posted to its Twitter account, “We are not tacos” and that using the breakfast food “to try to demonstrate the uniqueness of Latinos in San Antonio demonstrates a lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the diversity of Latinos in the region.”
The NAHJ said the first lady and her team should “take the time in the future to better understand the complexities of our people and communities.”
Michael LaRosa, a spokesperson for Mrs. Biden, said in a Tweet, “The first lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
