In a speech today before departmental employees of Housing and Urban Development, recently confirmed HUD Secretary Ben Carson went on a tangent about immigrants that included those who came to America aboard slave ships.

After talking about how America is a “can-do society” and not a “what can you do for me society,” Carson then referred to slaves as immigrants.

“That’s what America is about,” Carson said. “A land of dreams and opportunity. There were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships, worked even longer, even harder for less.”

The retired neurosurgeon went on to say that they had dreams to that their children and grandchildren may one day have the opportunity to “pursue prosperity.”

As one would expect, there was a reaction to Carson”s comments on Twitter:

Ben Carson referring to slaves as immigrants is very wrong. But, also unsurprising, given he believes pyramids were used for grain storage. — John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) March 6, 2017

Ben Carson called slaves “immigrants” to dept employees If I ever get brain surgery I’m now gonna grill my doctor on politics cuz holy shit — Noah Kinsey (@thenoahkinsey) March 6, 2017

During a talk with HUD workers, Ben Carson referred to slaves as “Immigrants.” It sounds like this guy’s pyramid is missing a few grains. — Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) March 6, 2017

Ben Carson seems to be in the camp who thinks the middle passage was a god damn pleasure cruise. He can go screw. — Oliver Willis (@owillis) March 6, 2017

Ben Carson IS the sunken place — Apologen (@MissZindzi) March 6, 2017

GOP: we haven’t said anything mind-numbingly stupid in 24 hours Ben Carson: HOLD. MY. BEER. — Young Salad (@houstonbred) March 6, 2017

ben carson uncle tom’d so hard we should stop saying “uncle tom” and start saying “ben carson.” — Shyne Coldchain Jr. (@Smooth_Orator) March 6, 2017

Ben Carson is also the guy who once compared Obamacare to slavery. I’m starting to think he may not understand the word “slavery.” https://t.co/82PJcUC7Vg — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) March 6, 2017

Watch a clip of Carson’s comments above.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona

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