Eva Longoria has apologized after making some very bold claims that many people took as offensive and anti-black during a recent appearance on MSNBC.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, the “Desperate Housewives” star was asked by host Ari Melber about the impact of Latina women on the 2020 presidential race. The 45 year old replied that “women of color showed up in big ways. 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 3:1.”
Longoria’s comments quickly landed her into some hot water with critics who felt her words took credit away from Black women’s impact across the nation.
An exit poll published by The New York Times shows that 91 percent of Black women voted for President-elect Joe Biden compared to 70 percent of Latina women who did. In comparison, 80 percent of Black men voted for Biden than their Latino peers at 61 percent.
Following the scathing reactions online, the actress took to her Twitter account late Sunday night to clarify her comments. The star apologized for the misunderstanding with a statement, tweeting, “I’m so sorry and sad to hear that my comments on MSNBC could be perceived as taking credit from Black women. 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.”
She added, “My wording was not clear and I deeply regret that. There is such a history in our community of anti-Blackness in our community and I would never want to contribute to that, so let me be 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. 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!!!!”
Responses to the actress’s apology were split. Many thanked the star for acknowledging where she misspoke, including actress Kerry Washington who reposted Longoria’s apology tweet.
However, many other critics weren’t as forgiving, including one person who replied to Longoria’s tweet, saying, “You disparaged the work of Stacey Abrams along with a coalition of Black women, specifically in GA. Everything you mentioned Latinas do, Black women deal with at a greater level. Also, the Latinx demographic is all over the place because, as you said, colorism.”
The user followed up her statement with another tweet, saying, “From the clip, you seem to downplay the hardworking and backbreaking struggle of bringing the Dem party together. Black voters did that. Black women made it happen. I suggest you get in contact with Latinos in GA and help the Black coalition elect Ossoff and Warnock.”
