NBC News' Tom Brokaw apologized in a bizarre Twitter thread after saying on "Meet the Press" Sunday that he thought Hispanics should assimilate more.
Brokaw began by saying he believed some of the anti-illegal-immigration sentiment he heard from other Americans was racially tinged. "I hear when I push people a little harder, ‘I don’t know whether I want brown grandbabies,’" he said. "That’s also a part of it; it’s the intermarriage that is going on and the cultures that are conflicting with each other."
The veteran newscaster went on to say, "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."
"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."
Brokaw's comments were immediately criticized on social media by those who claimed they were offensive to Hispanic Americans. Brokaw apologized in an ungrammatical Twitter thread to those who were offended.
i feel terrible a part of my comments on Hispanics offended some members of that proud culture
— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) January 27, 2019
from my days reporting on cesar chavez to documenting the many contributions of hispanics in all parts of our culture
— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) January 27, 2019
i’ve worked hard to knock down false stereo types. in my final comment in Meet i said ALL sides hv to work harder
— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) January 27, 2019
at finding common ground - which i strongly believe
dialogue not division— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) January 27, 2019
After the tweets were poorly received, Brokaw responded that "my twitter acct failed me" and "my tweet portal is whack," before concluding that they actually got the job done because they generated attention.
my twitter acct failed me at the worst time.
i am sorry, truly sorry, my comments were offensive to
many. the great enduring american tradition of diversity is to be celebrated and cherished. yamiche, thank u for your comments.
let’s go forward together.— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) January 28, 2019
my tweet portal is whack
i hv been trying to say i am sorry i offended
and i so appreciate my colleague— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) January 28, 2019
it worked!
i got your attention.
‘night
— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) January 28, 2019