Ritchie Torres
- Role
- United States representative
- Statement date
"Calling a Black man a “monkey” is racist. Full stop."
Source and context
Original post
Ritchie Torres response to Jebreal's remarks (opens in a new tab)Post 2096052351530390010
About this source
Torres rejected the qualification attached to Jebreal's wording and criticized the perceived lack of condemnation.
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
Jebreal had denied racial intent during the original exchange.
After the quotation
Torres also criticized Ali’s handling of the exchange; Jebreal later apologized.
How this statement is classified
The statement directly and unequivocally classifies the language as racist.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Rula Jebreal, Wajahat Ali
More from this case
"Sometimes even our friends can get it wrong. They can stumble over trying to make a point—maybe there's a cultural disconnection."Read statement
"The term that I used to describe him was inappropriate and offensive and should never have been used. I apologize unconditionally."Read statement
"Blatantly racist and offensive rhetoric—it should be condemned by everyone, across the political spectrum. Period."Read statement