Yes, she really did say that.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said only African Americans should operate facial recognition software because non-black people think they all look the same. She made those remarks to Detroit’s police chief, while touring the department’s Real Time Crime Center on Monday.
However, African American Police Chief James Craig responded by saying he trusts people who are trained regardless of race or gender.
When asked to clarify if she meant white people aren’t qualified for the position, Tlaib struggled to explain. She fumbled in her response, saying she “thinks” there have actually been studies showing “it’s hard” for African Americans and Latinos to be accurately identified using the technology.
The Detroit News on Twitter
Watch: Rep. Rashida Tlaib at the Real Time Crime Center with police Chief James Craig discussing facial recognition software: “Analysts need to be African-Americans … .” https://t.co/qrG27El3AZ https://t.co/o8bCwAJEVM