The Year of the Latino?
Over a decade ago a number of Latino leaders and activists thought we were going to have the year of the Latino; some said that it was the beginning of the decade of the Latino. Why they thought it was beginning that year was never thoroughly explained, they said it and many of us excitedly believed it. As it turned out it was not the beginning of the Latino decade, we were early, the only debate this year in Latino circles is just how early were we?
This year again promised to be the biggest Latino year in political history. This was a year when the citizenship numbers were increased by hundreds of thousands of Latinos in key swing states thanks to constant immigrant bashing by ratings hungry right wing talkers. This was the year that Latino natural born citizen's numbers had reached a new peak as did their own resentment of what was widely felt as unfair media treatment of Latino immigrants. This was also a year when even Hollywood had begun to realize that the color spectrum on TV and movie screens displayed brown as richly as any other color. Things were in place for a powerful showing at an important election then came the only thing that ruins important elections: the campaigns.
Latinos who strongly supported Clinton were unapologetically derided as racist for their choice. Why wouldn't Latinos vote for an African Americans was the constant politically debilitating question. During a year when Latinos should have been advancing aggressively as a real power within the Democratic Party the community was placed into a position of playing defense. To put it bluntly Latinos are not great at either political role and powers within this country's two major parties know it.
Latino leaders were shamed into a weird silence and did not forcefully remind pundits that Latinos have constantly voted for African American politicians. Obama himself was carried to victory by Latino voters. Congresswoman Maxine Waters in Los Angeles currently presides over a near Latino majority district. And nationwide there are many examples of inclusive Latino voting patterns.
As soon as the primary campaign was over about 65% of Latinos moved in to the Obama column. Suddenly the talk of the racist Latino voter was muted. No apologies from the accusing political operatives, no retractions from the pundits crying racism, just silence.
This week I will be moderating a panel on the now famous Black/Brown divide. It's called "United We Vote?" and is sponsored by Seachange at the Starz Pavilion. It will be, to say the least, provocative.
The question for me is not if Latinos and African Americans "can" collaborate -- our communities have proven they can. The question is how do we move forward even more forcefully united after a divisive period. Can Latinos overcome the disappointment of a primary campaign season that seems to have again put off the long held Latino dream of flexing political clout in order to play a secondary but major role in delivering a dream that on the surface may appear to be another's'? If so this ultimately may be the year of the Latino.
Mario Solis-Marich blogs on NuestraVoice.com and hosts a radio program that can be streamed on www.GoToMario.com and heard over the air on AM760 in Denver, KHRO 1650 in El Paso and KTLK AM 1150 in Los Angeles.
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Thank you for writing this article. As an African American..
Anyway... I do wish that this nation would participate in comprehensive discussion on race... that includes all of the many races that make up this country. But since I want Sen O to win... this conversation should most likely take place AFTER the election.
"Can Latinos overcome the disappointment of a primary campaign season that seems to have again put off the long held Latino dream of flexing political clout"
Actually, I believe Latinos have already flexed considerable political clout in this election. As a politically conscious and active African-American, I can tell you that I was very overwhelmed to see Gov. Richardson in the race. Not simply because it was a joy to see an internationally popular latino on the campaign. But because I knew the awakening Richardson's presence would engender in a new generation of latinos.
Throughout my childhood, I knew and went to school with latinos: in South Central Los Angeles, and, in Washington DC. Surnames like Garcia, Hernandez, Vasquez, and Pasquier are not foreign to me, anymore than the struggles and objectives of Cubans-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and other latinos.
So it will be very heart warming to see an Obama presidency because I know Latino clout will rise like the PHOENIX. Why? Because we all know that Gov. Richardson will be The Secretary of State. He's uniquely tailored for it. And, we all know that one of the three Supreme Court Justices Obama is likely to name will probably also be latino.
And soon, very soo, there will be a Hispanic President with cross-generational, and multi-racial appeal.
And soon, very soo, there will be a Hispanic President with cross-generational, and multi-racial appeal.
YES !!!! and AMEN !!!!
This is the year of Voting Machines too !!!!!!
So many states using Voting Machines that others have declared ILLEGAL because they lose votes.
Spot on! Beautifully articulated. We must come together and make sure we get out the vote in our communities across the country. We are very much a part of the American Dream and we must work together to get a level playing field and put an end to racial politics at all levels. Many Hispanic/Latinos do not get proportionate political representation because they are classified as white in the U.S. Census, hence the question White Hispanic or Black Hispanic? It makes a big difference politically how you answer that question- since half say one thing and the other half another your numbers still come up minority and you don't get helpful representation. There is only one Barack Obama and one Bill Richardson
here is the thing no one issue is unique to one demographic. we all want a chance at the american dream. abetter future for our children so forth ans so on. that's waht every one wantswether you black, latino or white working blue collar from penn. its what we all want . we need to stop this racething and make it class thing because we are all in this boat together. we are all poor.
What about any latino who would have the audacity to vote McCain/ How do you say Uncle Tom in Espanol?
tio tomas.
A lot of Cuban-Americans are going to be voting for McCain.
What choice do Latinos have? In the last election, 44 percent of the Latino electorate sided with Bush versus 53 percent for Kerry. African Americans sided 88 percent with Kerry versus 11 percent for Bush. The majority of the white electorate, nearly 58 percent of the 77 percent total white electorate voted for Bush.
When it come to electing Democrats, Latinos and African Americans more than pull their weight. Like good "supporters and helpers" the role for Latinos and African American voters has been to "swing it" for either candidate. This electorate voting bloc continues to wait and wait for rewards from the Democratic Party. Where are they?
Here aree some issues "El Obama" or "La Hillary " have failed to address: Substandard education and schooling; educational opportunities for the Shades of Brown; a viable, feasible, and workable immigration policy; the disintigration of the Latino and African American middle class; the high incarceration and over proportion of inmates and prisoners of "color"; Universal Health Care; support for family values; SBA funding for small business ownership; and on and on, ad naseum.
And, apart from the basic presidential politics, what does the Democratic Party do for Latinos? How many chairs in the party leadership? How many Latinos are there in the Democratic Congressional and Campaign Committee . . . ZERO (0)
Latinos and African American are entitled to receive more that either party is giving. They should not be afraid to demand their fair share.
Yes, Latinos and African Americans can unite and change the course of history. I can surely see a Latino Secretary of State - Richardson and next, we'll be voting for the first Latino President and female President. That is the reason Senator Obama's candidacy is so vital for all minorities. It is an evolution towards factual multi-culturalism. The face of America is transforming and it's time for leadership from intellectuals and I am sure Senator Obama will reflect the values in his decision-making that are important to Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, etc. because of the unique path he has traveled.
There is no question, Richardson is going to be secretary of state and finally we're going to begin to get out of the mess we're in globally.
J
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