On Monday, Twitter users, including a Republican national spokeswoman and congressional candidate, chastised President Joe Biden for using the term “boy” and fumbling during his introduction of a black senior adviser.
Biden briefed reporters Monday on the government’s rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Ida’s devastation in Louisiana. According to The Hill, the president met online with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, and Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves.
Biden began the briefing by introducing White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond as a “boy who knows Louisiana and New Orleans extremely well.”
Not only does Biden not sound great here, but also called Cedric Richmond "boy," something the left would lose it if he were a Republican: "I'm here with — with my senior adviser and boy who knows Louisiana very, very well — man — and — and New Orleans, Cedric Richmond." pic.twitter.com/T11qNAGJhu
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 30, 2021
His usage of the phrase, which is seen as pejorative toward African-Americans, drew backlash online. Republican National Committee spokesperson Paris Dennard, who is black, noted that Richmond is “a 47-year-old man.”
Cedric Richmond is a 47 year old man.
While Ja’Ron Smith was 38 years old when he was in a similar role for President Trump I can assure he was not called a “boy" by President Trump.
Joe Biden just continues to insult Black men openly and in public because he doesn’t care. https://t.co/LdTQ6CrTFb
— PARIS (@PARISDENNARD) August 30, 2021
“Joe Biden just continues to insult Black men openly and in public because he doesn’t care,” Dennard wrote.
How DARE Joe Biden call Cedric Richmond “boy”?
Cedric is 47 years old. He’s nobody’s boy!
What a rude, condescending RACIST!!!
You just know he wanted to call him a “N” but knew that wouldn’t go over well.
What a sick, racist man Joe is.
— Lavern Spicer 🇺🇸 (@lavern_spicer) August 30, 2021
Biden stated in a May 2020 podcast that African Americans who are still deciding whether to vote for him or then-President Donald Trump “ain’t black.”
“Poor children are just as bright and talented as white children,” Biden stated in August 2019 during a campaign event in Iowa.
Biden was asked about former President Barack Obama’s campaign during a 2007 interview with a New York Observer journalist. “I mean, you’ve got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate, bright, clean, and a handsome gentleman. That, my friend, is a storybook,” the president said of his yet-to-be-named running mate.
