Dr. Ben Carson, the newly sworn Director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD), told an assembled group of federal employees at HUD on Monday that African slaves who were brought to the United States were "immigrants". Carson went on and stated that the slaves who were brought here had dreams of a better life for their children which would provide them with much needed "happiness." Carson then expressed his belief that the dream "is what America is all about," (ABC News, 3/6/17).
Slaves at "the bottom of slave ships"
Carson, who was nominated by Donald Trump prior to signing his second executive order on immigration, described slaves as having sailed to America "at the bottom of slave ships," (ABC News, 3/6/17).
Carson then described the "dreams" that he believes the slaves had for their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc.. Carson stated that the slaves, like all immigrants to America, also dreamed that their descendants "might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land,” (ABC News, 3/6/17).
Whoopi Goldberg dishes it out to Carson
Famed entertainer and talk show host Whoopi Goldberg slammed Carson for his statement in a tweet. In her tweet, Goldberg demanded that Carson "read or watch Roots." Goldberg then clarified that "most immigrants came here voluntarily," (ABC News, 3/6/17), but that slaves were "stolen."
Anne Frank Center responds
The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, which was founded in honor of the infamous Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in her home in Amsterdam before being killed, also seriously criticized Carson for his statement.
The Anne Frank Center described Carson's comments as "offensive a remark as it gets," (ABC News, 3/6/17). The Center then stipulated that slaves were "brought here violently, against their own will, and "lived here without freedom."
The Center concluded its statement by telling Carson that he does not "get a pass" just because he is African-American.
The Center then compared Carson's statement despite being African-American to Trump's Antisemitism despite having Jewish relatives. The Center then posted its own tweet, condemning Carson for his comments in which he compared slaves to immigrants.
Trump attacks Arnold Schwarzenegger
Meanwhile, President Trump attacked former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his performance on the show, "Celebrity Apprentice." Schwarzenegger, who served as California's Governor after Democrat Gray Davis was recalled, resigned from the infamous show last week.
Trump, who now is accusing former President Barack Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower during the presidential campaign, is claiming that Schwarzenegger was "fired" from "Celebrity Apprentice." To date, Trump has provided no evidence that Schwarzenegger was fired, or that Obama wiretapped his tower. In the meantime, the "babble" from the tower continues as the man at the top tries to find his footing between crises.
