Watch Latina Women Raise their Voice for Obama

After talking with so many Latina women, I felt compelled to make this video with Rodriguo Garcia to show how Latina women really feel about Obama. I found they were not only leading the Obama charge but that they were also gateway voters with unmatched enthusiasm. Maybe their boyfriends were dragging their feet, or their parents and grandparents were doing as expected, but these young women were independent thinkers and fierce Obamaciones! Let the tape roll. Viva La Mujer! Viva Obama!

My father stood with a select group of artists and intellectuals supporting Cesar Chavez. Later he would help organize the presidential primary for Robert F. Kennedy. There among lawyers, teachers and farm workers, I was fortunate enough to see firsthand great leaders of my father's generation. I am now witnessing a great leader for our generation: Senator Barack Obama. While a few of the great minds of the UFW support the other side, the heart of Cesar would surely be with Barack.

Cesar's teachings and struggle remain with us all; he broke with convention and defiantly challenged what was expected of a "common grape picker." He gave us dignity and hope, as does Barack Obama. Obama is cut from the same cloth as a man who organized the un-organizable. He reminds us of what is possible and great about America.

There is an old Mexican saying: "Tell me who you are with and I will tell you who I am." I remember my father telling a group of Farm Workers and Teamsters in early 1968 -- "Let me tell you of a new person who I am with who will tell you who I am..." He was referring to a man named Robert F. Kennedy. I find myself echoing those very words, this time, for a man named Barack Obama. Yo Soy Puro, Obama!

Comments

[BrooklynLager]

When Clinton's pollster said that "Latinos have a history of not voting for African American candidates", anyone living in New York or LA knew it for the horseshit that it was.

When Hillary Clinton agreed with it, my respect for her started to crumble.

[blackmouth]

I'm a 60 year old Mexican-American and I'm for Obama. I love Hillary and it really is a shame that both these wonderful people are running at the same time, but you have to do what you have to do, there might not be another time. In my life, I have learned that the only thing that remains constant, is change. I'm for Obama because he represents change. Change that will only come from the bottom up, in other words, from us. I hope he shakes the very foundations of this broken government and brings back the rule of law.

[Promise]

Yes, Obama does touch the same place in my heart as Cesar Chavez did!

[dblgoldens]

although I hate to fracture American citizens into racial sub-groups because I think highlighting differences is exactly what Obama is not about, it does make me happy to see Latina women lead the support for Obama amongst their families. perhaps this will just bring more Americans into the movement to take our government back!

[TuffPosh]

If Cesar Chavez were alive, I don't think he'd support Clinton, and I'm almost positive he wouldn't support Obama. Chavez was an opponent of illegal immigration and even turned illegal aliens in to the INS. Yet, Clinton - and to an even greater extent Obama - both support illegal immigration.

[kentay305]

you know something....

while ive been on this site off and on for the past 8 months i notice something that should be mentioned...

when a republican comes on a thread and just says a flat out lie... most of us on HP goes after the guy like his words have worth...

we know his intentions but instead staying on the topic we chase after the lie....

let me say this in caps and move on...

FLAG HIS STATEMENT AND EVENTUALLY HE WILL BE BANNED...SIMPLE AS THAT... best way to rid the threads of this mess...

oh and by the way ..IM SURE THE "T.P." in your name must be an acronym for toilet paper...

[goodsnservices]

TP, that's a scurrilous lie. Neither candidate supports illegal immigration. Both are aware of the impossibility of deporting 12 million illegals, though, and so both have a plan that will allow some of those people to become citizens -- after declaring their presence and paying a substantial fine. I have no problem bringing these people into alignment with the law, especially as it would force employers to obey the law as well, and stop artificially depressing wages.

[weddedgay]

Will you please provide proof that Clinton and Obama both 'support' illegal immigration. They do no such thing. Just because neither supports onerous penalties does not mean they support breaking the law.
Your fundamentally flawed thinking is jingoistic and lacking in critical thought. Hate and intolerance never do of course.

[December7]

I am reading Cesar Chavez, never heard of him before, thanks to this campaign, we are discovering America

[shm259]

I know! That's what people who use the whole cult analogy don't get it- maybe it was "just words" that drew me in, a couple of words got me to research and to eventually learn and participate in the political process. This is what a mobilized public looks like!

On a last note- AWESOME video!

[prospace]

Dolores Huerta apolla a Clinton. Ella es la mas sincera y sagaz.

Dolores Huerta supports Clinton. She is the most sincere and wise.

[GnitenGoodLk]

Clinton, no es sincera, usted no la conoce.
Mira las leyes que no se molesta pasar

She didn't even add her name to legislation introduced honoring Dolores Huertas, even Dennis Kuchinich did, she didn't. Come on now.

"...honoring Dolores Huerta for her commitment"

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hr110-37

The world is too dangerous to put someone in our highest office without careful research and judgment scrutiny. Obama is the right man for our time in history. I knew this from the start.

[Jazz42]

I agree with you completely.
(GnitenGoodLK)

[asemeco]

As I have said before, a candidate doesn't just want to win; they all want a "mandate" that will give them political capital to spend on potentially controversial but necessary policies.
With Obama, we get more than a mandate: We get a tidal wave the likes of which hasn't been seen in a long time.
That is our best hope for real change.

[IMustKnow]

If he was trying out to become pastor of a church, this might be relevant. We need a helluva lot more than that in a president.

[JasonEverettMiller]

Barack is so much more than your thin characterization of him that it is clear you haven't done your homework or are being intentionally dismissive.

Barack has worked as a civil rights attorney, constitutional law professor and community organizer. He was responsible for personally bringing together a divided state house to pass very progressive legislation and has done the same since arriving in Washington.

Barack is well-versed and accomplished when it comes to doing his job. He has more actual legislative experience than Hillary and has done more in three short years in the senate than she has done in 7. He has a long legislative record that can easily be Googled.

These long years of experience in both DC and Illinois informed his answers in this 52-minute, uncut interview with the editorial board of the SF Chronicle that was very illuminating, even for an Obama supporter: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?o=0&f=/c/a/2008/01/18/MNSNUH8DR.DTL.

Barack has more experience, both in the classroom, the courtroom and on the streets of south Chicago. He has more accomplishments working for real people in the real world. He has more grassroots support and has raised all of his money from individual donors, most in increments under $100. He has run a substantially better campaign and has already won more states, more delegates and has larger base of volunteers in all 50 states.

You don't have to join us in this transformational moment, but understand that Barack supporters simply aren't going to roll-over for disinformation in the media or baseless attacks on his actual experience and fitness for the job.

Welcome to the 21st Century.

[dtd]

Let's fulfill the dream of America: United!

[Ides]

Con pigmentacion....hehe.

[shockedNawed]

Montoya, anda rascarte las pelotas -- Y eso te llega de parte de MUCHAS mujeres latinas -- especialmente para ti!

[MPeter]

Yep, it is beautiful to see them boldly defy the stereotype. Some punk somehow came up with the idea that Hispanics would not vote for Senator Obama because there is tension between Black and Hispanic gangsters. As if gangsters decide what Blacks and Hispanics do! It is refreshing indeed. Yes, Viva Obama, Si Se Puede!

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

I'm glad to see that there are so many bright and bold Latina women who can clearly see who is the better candidate.

[IMustKnow]

beyondgood: Please tell us how you would describe the women who are smart enough not to vote for him. Would you consider them dull and listless? These backhanded compliments don't fly.