(Daily Mail) Joe Biden raised eyebrows on Wednesday when he referred to the first black governor of Maryland as ‘boy’.
Biden, 80, was in the town of Lanham to speak to members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
He referenced the newly-elected 44-year-old governor Wes Moore, a former college football star, and used a word which is seen as a derogative term for black men.
‘You got a hell of a new governor in Wes Moore, I tell ya,’ Biden told the union workers.
‘He’s the real deal, and the boy looked like he could still play. He’s got some guns on him.’
Joe Biden on Wednesday referenced Wes Moore, the first black governor of Maryland, and called him ‘boy’
Moore is seen on Wednesday at the Lanham event, smiling and laughing despite the term
The crowd erupted in cheers – but it is not the first time Biden has found himself in hot water for referring to a grown black man as ‘boy’.
In 2019, Biden told a crowd on the campaign trail that he could work with all people – even those who he did not agree with.
He told how he worked with James Eastland, a Mississippi senator and plantation owner, who was an open white supremacist. Eastland resigned as a senator in 1978 and died in 1986, aged 81.
Biden said that Eastland respected him, declaring: ‘He never called me ‘boy,’ he always called me ‘son.”
Senator Cory Booker, who is black, rebuked Biden for downplaying the use of the word ‘boy’ to diminish black men.
Booker, on CNN, said it was inappropriate.
‘You don’t joke about calling black men ‘boys,” Booker said.
Biden then called Booker.
Sabrina Singh, a spokeswoman for Booker, said after the call: ‘Cory shared directly what he said publicly — including helping Vice President Biden understand why the word ‘boy’ is painful to so many.
‘Cory believes that Vice President Biden should take responsibility for what he said and apologize to those who were hurt.’
Biden, in response, snapped: ‘Apologize for what? There’s not a racist bone in my body.’
On Twitter, musician Benny S, wearing a ‘I identify as non-Bidenary’ t-shirt, told his 88,000 followers it was unacceptable.
‘Why does Biden get a constant pass with his blatant racism and Democrats…. especially Black Democrats just let it slide every time…’ he asked.
‘I have compiled SO many videos of other instances of this it’s ridiculous.
‘Wes Moore even though he’s a Democrat is NOT a boy… he’s a…’
Steve Guest, a special advisor to Ted Cruz, said: ‘Joe Biden refers to Democrat Wes Moore (Maryland’s first Black governor) as ‘boy.’ IMAGINE if a Republican said this instead of Biden.’
Why does Biden get a constant pass with his blatant racism and Democrats…. especially Black Democrats just let it slide every time… I have compiled SO many videos of other instances of this it’s ridiculous. Wes Moore even though he’s a Democrat is NOT a boy… he’s a… https://t.co/nFang14PD0 pic.twitter.com/rTRYgh0L4b
— Benny S. (@BennySings) February 16, 2023
