New Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson is raising eyebrows for comparing slaves to immigrants. In his first remarks to employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development yesterday, Carson offered "there were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships."
He went on to say that those slaves also had dreams that their children and grandchildren "might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land." He made the remark after calling America "a land of dreams and opportunity." Ironically, the retired neurosurgeon also said he would soon go on a "listening tour" to find out what works and what doesn't.
The reaction has been swift. NAACP wasted no time in confronting the remarks, tweeting a link to the speech with the question "immigrants?" Similarly, the US office of the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect has panned the remarks. “This is as offensive a remark as it gets,” the organization said in a statement. “No, Secretary Carson, slaves didn’t immigrate to America. They were brought here violently, and against their own will, and lived without freedom. You do not get a pass because you’re African American.”
Carson has since clarified his remarks, via social media. Referring to the terms ‘immigration’ and ‘slavery, Dr. Carson noted, in part: “The two experiences should never be intertwined, nor forgotten, as we demand the necessary progress towards an America that's inclusive and provides access to equal opportunity for all.”
This guy was named head of HUD on December 5th. This was his FIRST remarks to employees there.