Tom Brokaw says he is 'truly sorry' for his remarks about Hispanics on 'Meet the Press'

[workinclasszero]

By Rob McLean and Brian Stelter, CNN Business Updated 9:34 PM ET, Sun January 27, 2019

New York (CNN Business)Former "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw tweeted Sunday that he regrets saying on "Meet the Press" that Hispanics should "work harder at assimilation" into American culture.

"I feel terrible a part of my comments on Hispanics offended some members of that proud culture," he said at the beginning of a series of tweets.

Criticism erupted after Brokaw, 78, commented on Hispanics and assimilation during Sunday's broadcast of "Meet the Press." He said on the show that his view on assimilation is one he's been sharing "for a long time."

"You know, they ought not to be just codified in their communities but make sure that all their kids are learning to speak English, and that they feel comfortable in the communities," he said during Sunday's segment. "And that's going to take outreach on both sides [Republican and Democrat], frankly."

Some journalists on social media quickly criticized Brokaw's comments. Aura Bogado, an investigative immigration reporter at Reveal, said Brokaw was "arguing classic white supremacist talking points in a deeply racist rant on national television."

Julio Ricardo Varela, the founder of LatinoRebels.com, said the broadcast was difficult to watch.

"It really was a punch in the gut to a lot of people," he said. "It was not only factually incorrect, it was also xenophobia in action."

Speaking on CNN's "Newsroom" later in the day, liberal commentator Maria Cardona said that she loves Brokaw, but that "he's a little out of touch."

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/27/media/tom-brokaw-nbc-meet-the-press/index.html

[gratuitous]

1. "A little out of touch"

That is a very gracious estimation.

[uponit7771]

2. His republican slipped out

[workinclasszero]

3. The "liberal news media" showed it's real face for a second huh?

"And that's going to take outreach on both sides [Republican and Democrat], frankly."


And it's bothsidesism BS as well.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. LOL! His "republicanism" slipped out...

"WE ARE THE REPUBLICANS! YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED! RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

[rufus dog]

5. He has always been a dick

just getting older and his filter is breaking down.

[budkin]

6. The non-apology

I'm sorry "if anyone took offense..."

[Johnny2X2X]

7. Tom Brokaw is not our enemy

Said something stupid, has been solid most of his career.

Liberals eat their own too often. Brokaw shouldn't be ruined over this stupid comment.

[Demsrule86]

11. You are wrong; he is the enemy. He is a racist scumbag and he has made many anti-progressive

and anti-Democratic Party remarks of late. Like all racists...Trump 'freed' him or so he thought. The Brown grandchildren was particularly horrifying.

[JI7]

12. he has not been solid most of his career. you may be thinking of Dan rather

but Brokaw has been an ass many times

[awesomerwb1]

8. My sister is a teacher and her and her husband

were heavily involved in school activities and sports. They sponsored a multi-cultural travelling soccer team of low income kids for years. More than half of the kids were Hispanic. I helped out a few of seasons as an assistant coach so I got to know them well.

Of all the Hispanic kids I have met through the years, 99% first generation, ALL of them or 100% of them spoke English.

This narrative that Hispanic kids don't learn to speak English is completely fabricated bull***t. It's such an ignorant comment it's amazing to me that some have the audacity to actually say it in public.

Brokaw is a racist idiot.

[HipChick]

9. As much as been said about every immigrant group

When I lived in the UK, it was said about immigrants from India, Pakistan etc
99% first generation spoke English
It's a racist go to template

[Demsrule86]

10. He said people don't want brown grandchildren...racist scumbag. I saw the exchange.

He also said that Hispanics need to assimilate.