Senator Marco Rubio is one of the most outspoken Latino politicians in the country, but today he took to Twitter to demean a Latina woman. In a post dripping with sarcasm, the Florida Republican wrote, “Brilliant move! No one is more in touch with the challenges & obstacles faced by everyday Americans than actors & celebrities.” He attached a clip of Eva Longoria Bastón hosting the Democratic National Convention (watch above) where she said, “We always hear that line about this being the most important election of our lifetimes, but this year it really is.”
Celebrities often host or appear at these conventions, on the Republican side as well. It is commonplace and not as unusual as Rubio suggests, but in this case, Longoria Bastón is much more than an “actor.” She is also known for her activism.
What Rubio may not have realized is the 45-year-old actress/producer has a master’s degree in Chicano Studies. She wrote a thesis at the end of her three-year master’s program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). It was entitled, “Success STEMS From Diversity: The Value of Latinas in STEM Careers.” She co-founded the Latino Victory Project, an organization “dedicated to making sure Latino voices are heard by empowering Latino voters, developing a pipeline of Latino donors, and developing Latino candidates through three entities: Latino Victory Fund, Latino Victory Project and the Latino Victory Foundation.” Based on all that, Rubio’s post isn’t going over well.
https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_/status/1295703157985730560
Yeah, man.
Cuz Trumps & Kushners are so in-touch w/challenges & obstacles of everyday Americans.
Unlike Trump, @EvaLongoria is self-made. She didn’t get millions in bail-outs from her daddy.
Unlike you, she doesn’t remain in complicit silence while our community is demonized. https://t.co/chojIBk1kD
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) August 18, 2020
Y'all not going to slander Eva Longoria and question her credentials like she hasn't been doing politics and advocating for immigrants, farmworkers, and Latinx folks for the past 15 years.
I guess it's only white men that can transition from celebrity to governor and president.
— Daisy Prado (@TheDaisyPrado) August 18, 2020
Rubio is also being schooled on the celebrities who have in the past, and who will be appearing at the Republican National Convention as well.
In 2012, Marco Rubio spoke right after actor Clint Eastwood, who spent 10 minutes on the RNC stage shouting at an empty chair. https://t.co/dlEfeX7ue5 pic.twitter.com/FQvIiPW4lX
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) August 18, 2020
What’s wrong Marco? You get Scott Baio & Ted Nugent at your convention. Aren’t you pleased with the GOP convention lineup?
— Judydn5 (@Judydn5) August 18, 2020
Well. Aren’t you going to trot out Scott Baio, Ted Nugent, James Woods, and Diamond and Silk?
Oh right. My bad. You said celebrities.
Sit this one out little buddy.
— SaxonWalker (@TheSaxonWalker) August 18, 2020
*This post contains opinion and analysis