On Sunday, Tom Brokaw issued a Twitter statement saying he “feels terrible” that the comments he made about the Hispanic community offended.
He also stressed that he said “all sides” have to work harder during the interview.
“I feel terrible a part of my comments on Hispanics offended some members of that proud culture,” Brokaw wrote in a tweet hours after his controversial remarks claiming the Latino community needs to work harder at being assimilated and make sure their kids learn English.
He added: “From my days reporting on Cesar Chavez to documenting the many contributions of Hispanics in all parts of our culture. I’ve worked hard to knock down false stereotypes. In my final comment in Meet [the Press] I said ALL sides have to work harder, at finding common ground – which I strongly believe – dialogue not division.”
Earlier today, during an interview with Meet the Press, Brokaw said this:
“I also happen to believe that the Hispanics should work harder at assimilation. That’s one of the things I’ve been saying 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. And that’s going to take outreach on both sides, frankly.”
His comments prompted an immediate backlash, including from CNN’s Maria Cardona who said the comments were “not true.”
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