Most Black People Are 'Nasty, Rude and Problematic,' School Board Member Says (Video)
Robert Alvero Then Apologizes to African-Americans in His District
Clay School Board member Robert Alvero posted a video of himself on Facebook last week saying 80 percent of black Americans he has met were “nasty, rude and problematic.” You can hear it for yourself on the video near the bottom of the story.
Alvero, a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled his native Cuba in 2008, recorded the video while driving a car. He posted the video on Facebook but later took it down. On Friday, Alvero told Clay News & Views that he deeply regretted having made the video and said that it does not represent what he was trying to say.
“I made comments that were wrong and offensive. That wasn't my intention. They do not reflect my values or how I treat people. I regret them and apologize. I am taking the time to reflect,” Alvero said.
Alvero was elected to the School Board in November 2024 on a platform that included keeping politics out of the classroom. He represents the Oakleaf section of the county, whose population is nearly 25 percent African-American.
Here’s what Alvero had to say on his video, which was entirely about race and ethnicity:
I have had 80 percent more negative experience with the African American community in this country than with white people. That being said, it doesn’t mean that I haven’t had good experiences with African American people.
I have met a lot of great African American people, and I’m still friends with them because they are good decent people, but that’s 20 percent of the people that I’ve met, African Americans.
The other 80 percent, they’ve been nasty, they’ve been rude, they’ve been problematic—always trying to fight, disrespecting. So, why would I want to be around people like that. No.
Alvero asked what he thought he could possibly have had to gain as a public servant by making such a video. “To be honest, I didn’t think about it. I didn’t think about it,” he replied. Alvero said he took the video down after hearing from supporters telling him he was in trouble.
The video also references Nick Fuentes, a controversial American political commentator. Fuentes hosts America First, a livestream that unapologetically promotes white supremacy, misogyny, anti-semitism and Holocaust denial. At one point, Alvero says, “I know where Nick Fuentes is coming from.” Watch for yourself:
Alvero said the context missing from the video are the harsh experiences he had when he first arrived in the United States and was living in an urban neighborhood. Alvero said his apology was directed especially to his constituents in Oakleaf, who had nothing to do with anything that happened to him, a recent immigrant from Cuba, while living in Jacksonville.
This is Alvero’s full statement on the matter:
While I faced some negative interactions, including being called names and even physically assaulted, I also met many good, decent people some of whom remain my friends today. I want to clarify that these experiences are personal and not meant to generalize. It was an attempt to say people’s character is not defined by their visual characteristics, life experiences, or socioeconomic standards. We as people are divisive, and through the best of my ability I was trying to point out how people can judge each other while not seeing both sides and how stereotypes of a whole group are not accurate.
As a Christian man, I love everyone regardless of their race. I recognize that I could have expressed my thoughts more clearly, and I sincerely apologize if I offended anyone; that was never my intention. I believe actions speak louder than words, and I treat everyone with respect. My friendships are based on the content of character, and that’s how it should be for everyone.