After Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton’s campaign released a list aimed at impressing Hispanic voters — “7 ways Hillary Clinton is just like your abuela” – Twitter fought back, listing all the reasons she’s #NotMyAbuela.
Some criticized the list as pandering to Hispanics, while others pushed back against Clinton’s economic privileges and advantages.
Our experiences cannot be equated to those of a rich and privileged white woman. It's shameful and disrespectful to try #NotMyAbuela
— Lupita Gonzalez (@pitaslug) December 23, 2015My Abuela doesn't need to understand English to see right through that pathetic attempt at Latino votes. #NotMyAbuela
— Virginia Vasquez (@vm_vasquez) December 23, 2015My Abuela came from poverty. Came to this country for the betterment of my family only to face racism and discrimination. #NotMyAbuela
— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) December 22, 2015Abuela couldn't visit me in USA because she didn't have "papers" #NotMyAbuela #notmiabuela
— Laura Cristal Magaña (@sci_chicana) December 22, 2015Exactly! It's dehumanizing and disingenuous! #NotMyAbuela #NotMiAbuela https://t.co/7XJs8u7iOC
— Nikki Strong (@IAMNikkiStrong) December 22, 2015not the way to get my vote. what do you know about being a Salvadoran Civil War Refugee? #notmyabuela #FEELTHEBERN
— ken (@kenif537) December 22, 2015My Abuelas are not political props @HillaryClinton #NotMyAbuela
— Andrew Baldizon (@andrewbaldizon) December 22, 2015The list touts Clinton’s grandmotherly qualities – like reading to kids before bed and “she isn’t afraid to talk about the importance of el respeto,” or respect — on the heels of news that daughter Chelsea is pregnant with her second child.
“Hillary Clinton is a proud grandmother and has spent her entire career fighting for families and children. As a Latina who recently became a citizen, I know firsthand the challenges that many in this country face, including fear of deportation, and Hillary is committed to fighting against Republican attacks to tear families like mine apart,” Director of Latino Outreach Lorella Praeli said in a statement to MSNBC. “I’m proud to work for someone who stands up for Latinas and I will continue to travel the country to discuss how she will fight for our community as President.”
Clinton has made a big push of appealing to Hispanic voters and minorities, pushing back against Trump’s characterization of some Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists. Still the backlash on Twitter signals the uphill battle the former secretary of state faces at exciting the progressive movement.
While the campaign did not respond to an inquiry about the backlash, the title has been changed to “7 things Hillary Clinton has in common with your abuela” since publication.
Jane Timm