Schwarzenegger Opens Mouth, Inserts Foot

According to the governor, Latinos are naturally "hot"; specifically Cubans and Puerto Ricans. Here are his exact words as reported by CNN:

"I mean Cuban, Puerto-Rican, they are all very hot. They have the, you know, part of the black blood in them and part of the Latino blood in them that together makes it."

According to the article, he said this in March during a tape-recorded speechwriting session. He also went on to discuss the nationality of state Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia with his chief of staff. But Garcia was amused, saying she is in fact a hot-blooded Latina and it is an inside joke. Well, congratulations, Ms. Garcia on your hot-bloodedness.

The governor did say that he cringed when he saw his words staring back at him from the pages of the Los Angeles Times. I imagine he cringed not because of any remorse, but because he's up for re-election in two months. And he said if he had heard his kids say it he would be upset. Yeah, I'm sure.

So, where shall I start? Stereotypes. The notions of Latinos as hot-blooded, Irish and Native Americans as drunks, blacks as lazy, Asians as smart are stereotypes. They're boring ones, too.  Biology does not predetermine cultural behavior. Culture does, Mr. Governor Body Builder. I wonder what Maria thinks, sharing a blood line with an Irishman.

Being from L.A., I've known a lot of Latinos. I've known some out here, too. Some use their tongues with a little more energy than others. Just like I know white people, and some of them have had hot blood. Let me see, who else. Asians. Blacks. Hot and not. People get angry. People yell and scream. This culturally developed behavior is not determined by blood. There's really nothing more to say on it because a) it's late and I have to write other things and b) it's a no-brainer.

He may be sorry for his comments, but the fact that he made them is what is disheartening. They shouldn't have even been on his tongue. Especially not being the governor of California. He's up for re-election. Los Angeles has a Latino mayor. Latinos are the highest minority group in California. Let's hope they all vote.