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Fallout From Obama Statement By Callejo Continues
Activist's Remarks Spark Strong Reactions From Hispanic, African American Leaders
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― In an interview with Tracy Rowlett, noted Latino community activist Adelfa Callejo told CBS 11 that Hispanics would not support a Black candidate in the Texas primary.
"Obama has the problem that he happens to be Black," said Callego when asked if it was smart for Senator Barack Obama to reach out to Latino voters.
"When Blacks had the numbers, they didn't do anything to support us," said Callejo. "They always used our numbers to fulfill their goals and objectives, but they never really supported us, and there's a lot of hard feelings about that. I don't think we're going to get over it anytime soon."
The day after CBS 11 reported the comments, some of Callejo's strongest allies are denouncing her sentiment.
"First of all, it's pure nonsense," said Rene Martinez.
"Race is not an issue. It's who'll do the best for our children everyday," added Diana Flores.
Martinez and Flores are two well known Hispanic community advocates in Dallas. They both have worked with Callejo and both now support Obama for president. Both say Callejo's comments are off-base.
"While I understand some of what she was saying, I'm saddened by it, because he's not to blame for the politics of divisiveness that's occurred at some level here in the City of Dallas," said Flores.
"Her assumption is we've all had the same experience with African Americans as she, and it's not true," said Martinez. "It's unfortunate, because it's not true."
Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price is actually supporting the same candidate as Callejo, Sen. Hillary Clinton.
"The words are unfortunate, and those of us involved know it's not factual," said Price.
Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Elba Garcia, a Clinton supporter, said she too distanced herself from Callejo's comments.
Because Callejo is a Clinton supporter, Sen. Clinton was asked about the statement. Her campaign has now gone on record "rejecting and denouncing" the statement.
However, in an email to media outlets, Jesse Diaz, president of the Dallas-area League of United Latin American Citizens, wrote the following statement, separating himself from his fellow activists:
"Recent racial tensions and race relations between Black and Latino students at Seagoville High School and Skyline High School indeed gives a brief snapshot of this picture… There may be a few die-hard Latino politicians out there who would want the general public and general media to believe there is a love-fest out there between our respective communities. But go out to the many barrios within Dallas proper and surrounding Latino communities within Dallas County and ask La Raza on the streets for their take on this subject and you'll see Adelfa has ample support from an abundance of Dallas' Latinos."
Callejo could not be reached for comment.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved
Activist's Remarks Spark Strong Reactions From Hispanic, African American Leaders
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― In an interview with Tracy Rowlett, noted Latino community activist Adelfa Callejo told CBS 11 that Hispanics would not support a Black candidate in the Texas primary.
"Obama has the problem that he happens to be Black," said Callego when asked if it was smart for Senator Barack Obama to reach out to Latino voters.
"When Blacks had the numbers, they didn't do anything to support us," said Callejo. "They always used our numbers to fulfill their goals and objectives, but they never really supported us, and there's a lot of hard feelings about that. I don't think we're going to get over it anytime soon."
The day after CBS 11 reported the comments, some of Callejo's strongest allies are denouncing her sentiment.
"First of all, it's pure nonsense," said Rene Martinez.
"Race is not an issue. It's who'll do the best for our children everyday," added Diana Flores.
Martinez and Flores are two well known Hispanic community advocates in Dallas. They both have worked with Callejo and both now support Obama for president. Both say Callejo's comments are off-base.
"While I understand some of what she was saying, I'm saddened by it, because he's not to blame for the politics of divisiveness that's occurred at some level here in the City of Dallas," said Flores.
"Her assumption is we've all had the same experience with African Americans as she, and it's not true," said Martinez. "It's unfortunate, because it's not true."
Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price is actually supporting the same candidate as Callejo, Sen. Hillary Clinton.
"The words are unfortunate, and those of us involved know it's not factual," said Price.
Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Elba Garcia, a Clinton supporter, said she too distanced herself from Callejo's comments.
Because Callejo is a Clinton supporter, Sen. Clinton was asked about the statement. Her campaign has now gone on record "rejecting and denouncing" the statement.
However, in an email to media outlets, Jesse Diaz, president of the Dallas-area League of United Latin American Citizens, wrote the following statement, separating himself from his fellow activists:
"Recent racial tensions and race relations between Black and Latino students at Seagoville High School and Skyline High School indeed gives a brief snapshot of this picture… There may be a few die-hard Latino politicians out there who would want the general public and general media to believe there is a love-fest out there between our respective communities. But go out to the many barrios within Dallas proper and surrounding Latino communities within Dallas County and ask La Raza on the streets for their take on this subject and you'll see Adelfa has ample support from an abundance of Dallas' Latinos."
Callejo could not be reached for comment.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved
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