Arnold’s Latina slip must spark dialogue

“THERE is nothing new about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s description of state Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia as “very hot” because of her “black blood” and “Latino blood.” Even Garcia’s claims - that the governor’s comments are just an inside joke and that she is “a hot-blooded Latina” - are not surprising.

It was just two years ago that Mexican President Vicente Fox made similar offensive comments about African-Americans. These “jokes” or “slips of the tongue” are part of the enduring legacy of gendered racism that is woven into the fabric of society. And their ramifications are real.”

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