Eva Longoria reacts to backlash after calling Latinas ‘real heroines’ of election
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In a Sunday-night tweet, Longoria clarified her words: ‘Black women have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party.’
Actress-activist Eva Longoria has apologized this morning after making a remark that discounted what many have determined is one of the most important aspects of the 2020 presidential election.
“The women of color showed up in a big way. Of course, you saw in Georgia what Black women have done, but Latina women were the real heroines here. Beating men in turnout in every state and voting for Biden/Harris at an average rate close to three to one,” Longoria said in a post-election interview on MSNBC.
Her comments were instantly construed as “anti-Blackness.”
Longoria, co-founder of the Latino Victory Fund and the opening-night host of August’s virtual Democratic National Convention, tweeted out a clarification of her remarks.
“I’m so sorry and sad to hear that my comments on MSNBC could be perceived as taking credit from Black women,” she wrote. “When I said that Latinas were heroines in this election, I simply meant that they turned out in greater numbers and voted more progressively than LATINO MEN.”
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Noting the “history in our community of anti-Blackness,” Longoria contended she “would never want to contribute to that, so let me very clear: Black women have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party, something we have seen played out in this election as well as previous ones.”
“Finally, Black women don’t have to do it alone any longer,” she added. “Latinas (many who identify as Afro-Latina), indigenous women, AAPI women and other women of color are standing with them so we can grow our collective voice and power. Together, we are unstoppable! Nothing but love and support for Black women everywhere! You deserve a standing ovation!!!!”
The Desperate Housewives star’s initial remarks were met with intense pushback, largely due to the fact that according to statistics, incumbent President Donald Trump made huge gains in Hispanic communities.
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One Twitter user replied, “Why are the comments filled with Latino males and nonblack women accepting her ‘apology’ lol.”
In Florida, around 55 percent of Florida’s Cuban-American vote went to Trump, according to NBC News exit polls, while 30 percent of Puerto Ricans and 48 percent of “other Latinos” backed the president.
Longoria actively stumped for President-elect Joe Biden at a number of events in the state of Florida and across the country.
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