Twitter's response to whipping out that #ThatMexicanThing
Since his presidential campaign began, Donald Trump has come under fire for things he’s said about minorities, particularly Mexicans. He’s called them criminals, rapists, and even questioned the ability of a federal judge with Mexican ancestry to impartially oversee a case involving the now defunct Trump University. And there are the turns of phrase or social media moments that don’t quite land -- like the tweet of a photo of himself eating a taco bowl on Cinco de Mayo with a caption that read “I love Hispanics.”
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But Tuesday night was different. It wasn’t about what Trump had said, but rather, what his even-keeled running mate, Mike Pence, had said during the vice presidential debate in response to Tim Kaine’s list of Trump’s most notorious campaign moments.
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“When Donald Trump says women should be punished or Mexicans are rapists and criminals, or John McCain’s not a hero, he is showing you who he is,” Kaine argued.
“Senator, you’ve whipped that Mexican thing out again,” Pence retorted.
Many viewed Pence’s comments as demeaning, and some Twitter users struck back with #thatMexicanthing.
#ThatMexicanThing was my neighbor who works 100 hrs a week to send his kids to a decent private school. #VPDebate
— Andie Marie (@AndieMarie888) October 5, 2016
#ThatMexicanThing is my abuelita who moved to San Antonio without speaking English & slept in a barn while picking lettuce every summer.
— Matthew Duarte (@matthew_duarte) October 5, 2016
#ThatMexicanThing being proud of my heritage, becoming a citizen, & showing up to vote against hate this November #ImWithHer
— Maria ML (@CoffeandTequila) October 5, 2016
"Honey, where'd you put #ThatMexicanThing ?"
— rachel elliott (@okie_elliott) October 5, 2016
"It's on the shelf, next to the #BindersFullOfWomen."
Figuring out what to do for lunch. Might do #thatMexicanthing on the corner.
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) October 5, 2016