Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York used the N-word during a radio interview on Tuesday while quoting a New York Times op-ed about discrimination against Italian-Americans.
Cuomo called into WAMC radio and was subsequently asked a question regarding Indigenous Peoples' Day, which was celebrated concurrently with Columbus Day on Monday. He quickly turned to the topic of the treatment of Italian Americans and while referring to a New York Times article, said: “Going back to the Italian Americans because now you have me. They used an expression that southern Italians were called quote-unquote, and pardon my language, but I’m just quoting The Times, n**ger wops. N-word wops as a derogatory comment.”
Some Twitter users said the governor sucks in response to the use of the derogatory word.
Others questioned the potential double standard if President Trump had said something similar.
While some referred to the backlash as "language policing."
This comes the same day that Jane the Virgin actress Gina Rodriguez used the N-word on Instagram, resulting in serious backlash. In response to which she apologised and deleted the story.
On Monday, Cuomo gave his “full support” for a statue of Saint Frances Cabrini, the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880, an organisation which supported Italian immigrants travelling to the US.
“As Italian Americans, we must also remember that we ourselves are not immune from attack. The ugliness of Italian American stereotyping is still alive and well. Our battle is not over,” Cuomo said Saturday at the Columbus Citizens Foundation Gala.
He also supported the Brooklyn Diocese’s plans to build a memorial for Cabrini.
“They are right. We should applaud their courage and their activism,” he stated.
Cuomo’s younger brother, CNN host Christopher Cuomo, recently compared being called “Fredo”, a character from the “Godfather” film series, to the N-word.