On Sunday night, actor and Democratic political activist Eva Longoria issued a statement on Twitter for comments she made on MSNBC about the 2020 vote that many saw as dismissive about the role of Black women. The clip in question is this one, when Longoria was talking about Latina voters in the 2020 election and their role:
Eva Longoria to @AriMelber on the impact of Latina women: “That spirit and perseverance that Latinas use in their daily life, the struggle to pay their bills and the struggle to show up to their jobs … that’s the same perseverance and spirit they used to show up to the polls,” pic.twitter.com/BiATbXbaeG
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 9, 2020
At one point, she said the following: “The 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 Biden-Harris at an average rate of close to 3 to 1. And that wasn’t surprising to us.” Longoria, who has long been involved in Democratic causes and is now part of a Latina-led She She Puede coalition, then proceeded to explain why Latinas showed up to the polls, a theme we have been exploring for the last few weeks. However, the remarks about Black women became the focus—for valid reasons too.
The comments had Longoria trending on Twitter with a slew of tweets criticizing her for what was dismissive and bringing up a uncalled for competition that will only seek to divide marginalized communities.
The response was so intense that within hours, Longoria was issuing tweets and statements to clarify her remarks.
About my MSNBC interview, 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 absolutely should be applauded and lifted up! They brought this victory home in a BIG way! I was com
— Eva Longoria Baston (@EvaLongoria) November 9, 2020
comparing Latinas to Latino men. Not black women. I meant Latinas were the ones who showed up for our LatinX community. Finally, Black women don’t have to do it alone. Latina women and other women of color are standing with them and growing their voice and power. Together we are
— Eva Longoria Baston (@EvaLongoria) November 9, 2020
Unstoppable!!! Black women turned out 90% for Biden. I as a Latina, aspire to be as engaged as effective as they are!
— Eva Longoria Baston (@EvaLongoria) November 9, 2020
Later, she issued another longer statement:
Please read ?????? pic.twitter.com/KO80U2yarD
— Eva Longoria Baston (@EvaLongoria) November 9, 2020
One of the voices critical of what Longoria said was Rosa Clemente, a prominent Black Puerto Rican woman and leader who said she connected with Longoria and the She Se Puede team.
Eva Longoria statement below. As soon as I heard her comments I reached out to my sis @msladyjustice1 to tell her I am going to address this. Carmen and @MonicaRamirezOH along with @evalongoria and @americaferrera are founders of @she_sepuede
— Rosa A. Clemente (@rosaclemente) November 9, 2020
With this said I am one person and I know I don't speak for anyone and others may feel differently. I respect that. Also what can be done to deal with this in a long term, evolving way? Let me know what you all think. Palante! pic.twitter.com/ryZokfaCdI
— Rosa A. Clemente (@rosaclemente) November 9, 2020
Comments to Latino Rebels also echoed many of the points that Clemente added:
I count myself among the 91% of black women who voted against white supremacy. I ask that afro-Latinas are acknowledged in the community as the black women that we are. I just can't get over her saying anything so tone-deaf and dismissive. We have work to do.
— Carmelita (@carela221) November 9, 2020
That was not an apology, that was emotional manipulation. An apology includes acknowledgment and ownership of your fuck up a commitment to be better and changed behavior none of these things happened. “Just sorry y’all were offended”
— Black Lives Matter (@mellamxsandrita) November 9, 2020
Still others claimed that Longoria was very clear in what she said on MSNBC:
? @latinorebels you jumped on that too quick, knowing the level of commitment, engagement & solidarity that @EvaLongoria has with the Black community.
??♀️“Me thinks” you jumped the gun on this one, but what a great example of how to cause division in our ranks & eat up our own!— Janie Flores (@juanis111) November 9, 2020
To which we say this:
division comes when people make dismissive comments about allies. have you seen how many Black & Afro-Latina voices spoken out? isn't about division at all, it's about educating and being better and learning from it. we're just reporting what community told us. agree to disagree.
— Latino Rebels (@latinorebels) November 9, 2020
Because in the end, if we are to believe the national exit polls, Black women led the charge. Punto.
Also, it isn't even factually accurate. 91% of Black women voted for Biden. 91%.
Yes 70% of Latinas voted for Biden as well but the big point is that Black women led the charge. Being dismissive of it and also relegating it to Georgia too is just wrong. pic.twitter.com/81Q7MDZFb4
— Latino Rebels (@latinorebels) November 9, 2020
[…] (the actress, not the journalist) thread on her brainwashed Cuban family in Miami, all in light of Eva Longoria’s uninformed public statement earlier this week, I should have known immediately it wouldn’t lead anywhere […]