America Ferrera Thanks Donald Trump in Scathing Open Letter
While Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump continues to spout controversial comments about Latino immigrants, one entertainer of Latina descent says she's grateful that Trump has spoken his mind.
Actress Ugly Betty" and the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" movies, penned an open letter to Trump in the Huffington Post, and thanked him for his inflammatory remarks. Why? Because those statements have energized millions of Latino voters, Ferrera said -- and they're planning on firing Trump come election day.
" ... I heard what you said about the kind of people you think Latino immigrants are -- people with problems, who bring drugs, crime and rape to America," Ferrara wrote. " ... What you just did with your straight talk was send more Latino voters to the polls than several registration rallies combined! Thank you for that. ... Remarks like yours will serve brilliantly to energize Latino voters and increase turnout on election day against you and any other candidate who runs on a platform of hateful rhetoric."
Ferrera went on to say that Latinos are the fastest-growing constituency in the country, with their numbers swelling by over 49 percent from 2002-2012. That's a huge group of potential voters that Trump has just alienated, the actress noted, and that's all the better for those voters' interests. She writes:
Thank you for reminding us that there remains an antiquated and endangered species of bigots in this country that we must continue to combat. Thank you for reminding us to not sit complacently at home on election day, but to run to the polls and proclaim that there is no place for your brand of racial politicking in our government. Thank you for sending out the rallying cry.
You have made your thoughts on the Latino community clear and you continue to stand by them. And in return, we will do more than tweet about our indignation and beat piñatas of your likeness. We will silence you at the polls. We will vote and use our growing position in U.S. politics. Our fellow Americans who understand and value our contributions will join us. We know there is nothing that scares you more.
No word yet on what Trump has to say about Ferrera's comments, though he may insist that she stole his idea of writing open letters. Read the actress's entire letter over at the Huffington Post.
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