Actress Eva Longoria has apologized for her controversial claim that Latina voters were “the real heroines” of the 2020 election, seemingly downplaying the critical role of Black women who organized, mobilized and strategized President-elect Joe Biden to a win.
“I want to talk about what you just said,” Longoria told MSNBC’s Ari Melber, who had just pointed out that women of color lifted the Democratic Party back to power. “The women…the women of color showed up in big waves. 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, voting for Biden-Harris at a rate close to 3-1.”
Longoria went on the say that she wasn’t surprised by this, because “Latinas are the CEO of the household” who make all of the financial, healthcare and education decisions for their families.
The actress, who is also co-founder of She Se Puede, a digital lifestyle community created for Latinas, also talked about voter suppression and pandemic safety concerns as reasons for why Latinas were “the real heroines.”
Preliminary exit-poll data shows that more than 90% of Black women voters cast their ballots for Biden, while about 70% of Latina voters backed the former vice president, the LA Times reports.
After being called out for her comments, including by Black Puerto Rican scholar Rosa Clemente, Longoria took to social media to apologize for her remarks, saying that she wasn’t comparing Black women, specifically African-American women, to Latinas, many who also identify as Afro-Latina, but comparing Latinas to Latinos.
“Watching this back I can see that this sounds like I’m comparing Latinas to Black women, which I would never do. I was comparing Latinas to their male counterparts, but my wording was not clear and I deeply regret that…”
“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. Black women deserve a standing ovation for the work they have done year after year!! Over 90% of black women showed up for Biden. Finally, Black women shouldn’t have to do it alone. Latinas, many who identify as Afro-Latina, and other women of color are standing with them so we can grow our collective voice and power. Together we are unstoppable! Again, so sorry for the confusion and lack of context on my part!”