Actress Eva Longoria has apologized for controversial remarks she made downplaying the pivotal role of Black women in last week’s Democratic presidential victory during an MSNBC interview on Monday. Longoria, who moderated the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention in August, called U.S. Latinas the “real heroines” of the 2020 election win of President-elect Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris.
She told MSNBC’s Ari Melber 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 Biden-Harris at an average rate of close to 3 to 1. And that wasn’t surprising to us.”
Her comment immediately created strife on social media as many people took it as her claiming Latina women had the greatest effect on the Biden-Harris triumph in comparison to the Black women voter turnout.
According to the Washington Post, preliminary exit-poll data shows more than 90 percent of Black women cast their ballots for Biden, while about 70 percent of Latina women voted for him.
Numbers don’t lie, @EvaLongoria pic.twitter.com/JRNZO43RNM
— taylor (@sassygayroot) November 9, 2020
Twitter users took to the platform to clarify her claims and express their frustrations with her apparent attempt at undermining the efforts of Black women. In a tweet posted Sunday night, Longoria addressed the controversy and clarified the meaning behind her regretted comments.
“My wording was not clear and I deeply regret that,” she said, “There is such a history 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,” she continued.
Kerry Washington, a longtime friend of Longoria’s, came out in support of her apology by retweeting her post and adding “I know Eva like a sister. We have been in many trenches together. She is a fighter for all women. Read below. This is what she meant. This is how she truly feels.”
I know Eva like a sister. We have been in many trenches together. She is a fighter for all women. Read below. This is what she meant. This is how she truly feels. https://t.co/PcDNhLc1LK
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) November 9, 2020
The uproar against Longaria’s statement brought up a conversation about anti-Blackness by other Latinx celebrities, including Gina Rodriguez’s problematic past and controversy surrounding her use of the n-word while singing along to “Ready or Not” by the Fugees on her Instagram stories last year. Both Latina actresses turned activists have advocated for the Latino vote and have attended multiple political rallies, including Latinas en Marcha, to encourage voter participation within the Latinx community. Longoria is also one of the founders of Si Se Puede, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to empowering Latinas.
Black women, including activists and congressional leader Stacey Abrams, have been praised for organizing and registering thousands of voters in support of the 2020 Democratic candidates. Longoria took part in the applause for Black women by concluding her apology by stating, “Nothing but love and support for Black women everywhere! You deserve a standing ovation!!!”
