Samuel L. Jackson is having none of Ben Carson’s nonsensical statement about slaves being immigrants.
As The Telegraph reports, Ben Carson is “facing a backlash after referring to slaves brought to the United States against their will as ‘immigrants.'”
Carson made the inflammatory remarks during an introductory speech to staff members at Housing and Urban Development, the department he now heads.
“That’s what America is about, a land of dreams and opportunity. There were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships, worked even longer, even harder for less,” he said, adding “They too had a dream that one day their sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, great grandsons, great granddaughters might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land.”
It didn’t take long for social media to react, and noted actor and film producer Samuel L. Jackson had one of the most candid responses so far.
“OK!! Ben Carson….I can’t! Immigrants ? In the bottom of SLAVE SHIPS??!! MUTHAFUKKA PLEASE!!!#dickheadedtom” he tweeted.
OK!! Ben Carson….I can't! Immigrants ? In the bottom of SLAVE SHIPS??!! MUTHAFUKKA PLEASE!!!#dickheadedtom
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) March 6, 2017
His post has been retweeted over 100,000 times at the time of publishing this article and has received nearly 200,000 likes.
The New York Daily News is featuring Carson on the cover of today’s edition:
TODAY'S FRONT PAGE:
THEY CAME IN CHAINS, BEN https://t.co/Qg58u7vBC3 @RealBenCarson: slaves came to USA as "immigrants" pic.twitter.com/uX4iz7j78P— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) March 7, 2017
John Fugelsang weighed in as well:
Not only does Ben Carson think slaves were immigrants pursuing the American Dream, they also never thanked slavers for the free boat ride.
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) March 6, 2017
I guess Ben Carson would call these "luggage." #NMAAHC pic.twitter.com/UDYk1VJfAq
— Judy Howard (@JudyHallHoward) March 6, 2017
The Telegraph reports that: “a HUD spokesman later called the tempest ‘the most cynical interpretation of the secretary’s remarks to an army of welcoming HUD employees. No one honestly believes he equates voluntary immigration with involuntary servitude.'”
For his part, Carson made an attempt to clarify his remarks on his Facebook page, writing:
“I’m proud of the courage and perseverance of Black Americans and their incomprehensible struggle from slavery to freedom. I’m proud that our ancestors overcame the evil and repression that we know as slavery.
“The slave narrative and immigrant narrative are two entirely different experiences. Slaves were ripped from their families and their homes and forced against their will after being sold into slavery by slave traders.
“The Immigrants made the choice to come to America. They saw this country as a land of opportunity. In contrast, slaves were forced here against their will and lost all their opportunities. We continue to live with that legacy.
“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.
“We should revel in the fact that although we got here through different routes, we have many things in common now that should unite us in our mission to have a land where there is liberty and justice for all.”
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