Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso declares he's not white because he's Italian

NBC News ^ | Oct. 12, 2022 | David K. Li

[Trump20162020]

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso insisted he's not white, but really Italian — and thus "Latin" — during an awkward debate moment Tuesday in the nation's second-largest city.

In bringing up the ongoing scandal, Telemundo anchor Dunia Elvir stated: “The next mayor of Los Angeles will be either an African-American woman or a white man."

“I’m Italian,” Caruso interjected.

Elvir responded, “Italian American," as Caruso insisted that his racial identification be stated on his terms.

“That’s Latin, thank you,” Caruso said.

[nwrep]

Hahaha, that is funny. He should have called himself the real Latin.

[Nextrush]

I suspect those Latino city council members were targeted as racist because of the race for mayor between Caruso and the black candidate Karen Bass.

[Secret Agent Man]

Yeah how did Latin get co opted to spanish?

Latin is tied to Italian/Roman background. Sure spain was part of the roman empire but not the core homeland.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Latin comes from Rome. Rome is in Italy.

[Paladin2]

Whatta bout Latin America then?

[ClearCase_guy]

Shouting out to my homeboys in the barrio — Vitam impendere vero!

[immadashell]

This is the old Elizabeth Warren argument that she is not white because she is slightly over 3% American Indian.

[TexasGator]

“Yeah how did Latin get co opted to spanish?”

We learned that back in the 50’s ... Latin America, romance languages derived from Latin, etc.

[SamAdams76]

Italians are more olive colored because they eat a lot of olive oil.

Which is very good for you. As well as garlic.

[traderrob6]

European “Latins” are considered white for no other reason than being an “arbitrary” designation.

[Leaning Right]

The Italians below see themselves as white, and not Latin. Perhaps Mr. Caruso should pay them a visit, and explain his position. I’m sure that everyone involved will come to an agreement. However, baseball bats might be involved.

Just sayin’.

[lee martell]

I have met a few people of Irish descent who said they were Irish, not White. More a matter of attitude vs biology.

[bella1]

I'm Italian. Every year between the months of May through September I am not white.

[chuckee]

Pander much, Mr Caruso? Technically, you are Latin and from stock that originated the Latin language. But the real test here is if you prefer lasagna to tacos, you’re not going to get the vote you are pandering to?

[HollyB]

The constant referral to demographics is so outrageous. We’ve moved backwards.

[Calamari]

Forget about it......

[Mark]

Just self identify to what you want at the moment.

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

If Italians are not white, nobody is white.

[Joe 6-pack]

Once when my life was on the wrong track, I received some sage advice from an old timer who said, "If you don't change the path you're on, you're going to wind up where you're headed."

As inane as this little escapade in Los Angeles may be, this is not even closer to the terminus of the trajectory this all-pervasive obsession with race has us on...merely a point along the way.