A Black voter at former Vice President Joe Biden’s town hall on Thursday challenged the Democratic presidential nominee over his controversial “you ain’t Black” remark.
A student in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Cedric Humphrey questioned Biden on why he deserved the young, Black vote at the town hall. ABC Reporter George Stephanopoulos, who is moderating Biden’s town hall, described Humphrey as a progressive Democrat. The student directly referenced the comment that Biden made in May.
“Many people believe that the true swing demographic in this election will be Black voters under the age of 30, not because they will be voting for Trump, but because they won’t vote at all,” he began. “Besides ‘you ain’t Black,’ what do you have to say to young, Black voters who see voting for you as further participation in a system that continually fails to protect them.”
Biden made the comment when speaking with popular Black radio host Charlamagne tha God back in May, before he secured the Democratic nomination.
“Well I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t Black,” Biden said, according to CNN.
Biden faced significant backlash at the time.
He responded to Humphrey Thursday night by referencing the late Rep. John Lewis, who promoted voting throughout his lifetime.
But, people online are applauding Humphrey’s question.
“YESSSSSS A young Black voter (like me) asking Biden how he’ll get back voters under 30. He said ‘BESIDE’S YOU AINT BLACK.’ THE SHADE #BidenTownHall I GUESS I AIN’T BLACK lol,” one person tweeted.
“Respect to the dude who just asked Biden what he has to say to black voters under 30 that aren’t excited to vote for him other than ‘you ain’t black,'” another person added.
“I am really glad they found a young black voter to quote back the ‘you ain’t black’ line to Biden’s face. Not super pleased that the candidate didn’t immediately apologize,” another added.
While Biden apologized for the remark back in May, he failed to apologize when confronted with the remark at the town hall.