Newly confirmed Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson referred to slaves as "immigrants" while speaking Monday to department employees – sparking incredulity and outrage on social media.
"That's what America is about, a land of dreams and opportunity," Carson said. "There were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships, worked even longer, even harder for less. But they too had a dream that one day their sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons, great-granddaughters, might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land."
The remarks – a transcript of which was posted on Twitter by NBC News' Bradd Jaffy, drew harsh reaction, including from the NAACP:
and the Anne Frank Center:
Actor Samuel L. Jackson'a posted an X-rated expletive to express his outrage, while another poster pointed out that "immigrants come here for better lives, slaves were stolen from theirs."
Carson, an early primary challenger to Trump, was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as HUD secretary last week.
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