This article in the NY Times addressed the extent that Senators Obama and Clinton have reached out to the Latino community. In light of the recent offensive comments coming from the Clintons about Obama’s “fairy tale” candidacy, the need for President Johnson’s leadership to make Dr. King’s dream a reality, and the upcoming primaries in the southwest, we are now seeing the competition increase for Latino votes. I can’t help but think that if the Clinton machine is going to get racial about Obama that Latinos could just as well be on the receiving end of similar words at some point. And I do realize that the escalation of the divisive racially toned dialogue could appeal to Latinos who harbor discriminatory feelings, as both of these ethnic groups struggle for resources. However, I do think that in many ways, both the black and Latino communities have many problems in common ranging from a lack of access to quality education, an overrepresentation in the criminal justice system, and have suffered disproportionately from the recent real estate boom and subsequent subprime mortgage crisis. Additionally, many Latinos have African heritage. We aren’t all Spanish or Mestizo. Like most African-Americans, we Latino-Americans are a very mixed group.
I can envision Senator Obama as being someone who can bridge these two groups having come of age in Chicago, a city with a sizeable Latino and Black population. While Hillary Clinton touts her experience defending children’s rights, being a first lady of both Arkansas and the USA, I don’t think that her role as Senator of NY placed her close to the issues within these two communities. She has been ensconced in Washington, D.C. And both of these candidates do have issues that Latinos need to question, such as support of the border wall, which I view as more of a token or symbolic structure.
Finally, I want to give props to CA State Senator Gloria Romero. Referencing Senator Clinton’s recent trip to King Taco in East Los with her Latino taco munching crew (some Latino politicos including Mayor Villaraigosa), she said, “I don’t think eating tacos is effective. We need to address what unites us. The key is not to raise the wedge issue.” The Clintons didn’t have to bring the BET founder into the debate (who really doesn’t do his community any favors with his stereotypical television programming) or suggest that it takes a white establishment politician to make the dreams of minorities come true.
8 responses so far ↓
1 EYES OF TEXAS // Jan 16, 2008 at 3:57 pm
“to make the dreams of minorities come true” Oh, that’s right, it’s all about the minorities and not about all American Joe who gets up every day, puts in 10 hours, gets his check and wonders why he’s being taxed out the ass and why his medical premiums are through the roof. Then he remembers his tax money is paying for government social services used mainly by minorities and the high insurance payment is to compensate for the unpaid health care expences of minorities. It just ain’t right and everyone knows it. I guess American Joes dreams include subsidizing those that are unable to take care of themselves, mainly minorities.
2 webmaster // Jan 16, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Minorities include your All American Joe. At some point, the term minority won’t even apply.
As for the American health care system, it is profit driven. Just look at all of the advertisements for prescription drugs as an example. The cost of developing commercials, glossy ads, etc. gets passed onto you and me, the consumers. Before you start pointing fingers at your fellow Americans, start examining where the costs come from and who is profiting from the health care mess, I guarantee to you that it isn’t your all American Joe, white or otherwise.
3 Oscar // Jan 16, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Wow, angry response EOT. I will respond my amigo. Research our social, political, cultural, and economic history so you can give a better analysis to our current economic challenges. By blaming people will not solve our current crises. Remember my friend, banks, the special interest, and the war which I’m certain you were for, have caused these stressful times for all of us Americans. Nobody is subsidizing anyone as a matter a fact that statement is down right harsh and wrong. I suggest you reevaluate that comment my amigo.
Lets go back into history my friend when you and your family came here to live out the “American Dream” I don’t think you are conscious of the Native Lands and people that were affected by the subsidizing of resources, which affected millions of Native peoples, who presently still suffer from these realities. So don’t make your derogatory statements without researching the facts. I suggest you try visiting reservations throughout our nation maybe this will soften up your heart.
I would argue that our current economic crises and our current debate illicit the same loaded, manipulative rhetoric as part of a larger political strategy targeted at Mexican American, Latino, and other minority civil rights and community activists who have begun to exert a significant influence at a social, political, cultural, and economical impact in our nation. These comments that I hear a lot of presently on CNN, FOX, NBC, and these types of responses are a simpler yet infinitely more destructive approach of creating scapegoats. Thus, you avoid the responsibility of systematically and critically addressing what has become a complicated set of social, political, cultural, and economic issues in our nation.
Remember my amigo we all work hard to make this nation the great nation it is. This goes for the undocumented workers that work for low wages and many times do not have any type of insurance, or labor unions on their side. Yet, Americans hire them so this is not a one way approach for certain social class, or ethnic group. You benefit big time amigo!!!!!
4 Michaelr // Jan 16, 2008 at 8:16 pm
EYES of Texas; you must depend on FOX news for all your information. If you think the vast majority of the federal government’s budget is spent on social services used mainly by minorities, you’re very small-minded. Poor white people don’t get sick? And is it your contention that all white people have health insurance? The American Joe who works 10 hours a day and is being taxed out of his ass, should thank Dick Cheney for his 14 billion dollar a month farce and theft in Iraq and Afghanistan. And you wonder why Halliburton is now a corporate entity of Dubai, Oatar? The U.S. military budget is close to 60% of the total federal budget. That could easily cut in half, which of course would drastically lower American Joe’s taxes. Medical costs…nearly .40 of every dollar goes right into Managed Care’s corporate coffers. It costs the federal government .03 of every dollar to manage MediCare. And the federal government pays living wages to its employees. The insurance industry’s Managed Care doesn’t. But if you’re this ignorant to believe that social services constitutes the majority of the federal budget than you can’t be helped. In 1997, Bill Clinton ended welfare as we know it. Social services don’t exist in the manner you scream about. It must make you feel real superior to spout all your racist opinions against people who can’t defend themselves. That’s so Christian of you.
5 The Kaiser // Jan 16, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Finally a Latino politician who doesn’t have her lips super-glued to Hillary’s buttocks! Another example The Three Amigos should be following…
6 Hector // Jan 17, 2008 at 10:08 am
Well said guys, I’m glad you responeded to EOT’s generalization. Thats like saying all cops beat minorites. The sad part is that through society many people have this poor anaysis of minorites and its our jobs to reeducated people the truth. Viva la RAZA !
7 Bearguez // Jan 17, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Who are the “Three Amigos?”
8 The Kaiser // Jan 17, 2008 at 9:11 pm
The three Amigos are Antonio Villaraigosa, Fabian Nunez, and Jose Huizar. And they are currently hanging out with Hillary and Bill, evading their public responsibilities.
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