Congressional Black Caucus

Role
Congressional caucus
Statement date

"There isn't a non-racist way to call Leader Jeffries—a Black man—a “monkey” or “errand boy.”"

Source and context

Original post

Congressional Black Caucus response to Jebreal and Ali (opens in a new tab)Post 2096013791708516530

About this source

The caucus rejected a non-racist interpretation and criticized the podcast host for allowing the language.

Reporting

Democratic lawmakers respond after Rula Jebreal's remarks about Hakeem Jeffries (opens in a new tab)Article paragraphs reporting the original exchange, CBC statement, Joe Neguse and Ritchie Torres responses, and Jebreal's apology.

About this source

Reports the disputed wording, the immediate exchange between Ali and Jebreal, and several later public responses with links to the original posts.

Before the quotation

Video of Jebreal’s remarks circulated online and drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

After the quotation

Other lawmakers issued separate condemnations, and Jebreal apologized for the wording.

Condemned
How this statement is classified

The statement explicitly labels the language racist and condemns both the remark and the handling of it.

Recorded on
Published here
People and groups discussed
Rula Jebreal, Wajahat Ali, Hakeem Jeffries

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Joy-Ann Reid

"Sometimes even our friends can get it wrong. They can stumble over trying to make a point—maybe there's a cultural disconnection."
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Rula Jebreal

"The term that I used to describe him was inappropriate and offensive and should never have been used. I apologize unconditionally."
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