11 responses so far ↓

• 1 reenee // Nov 16, 2008 at 10:47 pm

  An effective leader is one who inspires, and creates in others the desire to aspire to greatness in whatever field they choose. People who are chosen as leaders ought to have the necessary leadership skills, not simply the correct surname. Any group that believes they will be represented properly by someone simply because they share the same ethnicity or skin color might end up sorely disappointed. This is why it’s so very important to pay attention to who your vote goes to. This is why it’s so important to hold those representatives accountable. If we do not, the constituency just might end up with a Joe Baca, Fabian Nuñez, Leslie Sanchez, etc, etc, etc.
  Organizing face time on YouTube or other venues requires the courage to stick one’s neck out; along with strong principles. But, we must remember, principles only mean something when you stick to them when its inconvenient.

• 2 jammer // Nov 17, 2008 at 1:56 pm

  let us set up an award function with tv coverage for the best use of alternate media to inform the community; to mobilize action and support action by our congressional leaders. Then get the hell out of the way because these headline hungry publicity hounds would be all over it to get their name mentioned and pictures taken on a red carpet. If you try to sell the use of alternative media as a common sense extension of good service and infromation dissemination won’t register with these folks.

• 3 Seneca // Nov 17, 2008 at 4:49 pm

  Perhaps, the more prominent Latino organizations have grown fat and flabby in Washington and nationally. They substitute ‘access’ to the white establishment as fulfilling their duty or obligation to the community and celebrating our presence in the country with gala dinners and balls. As for MALDEF, non-Mexican Latinos are quite wary of the organization…years ago when Miguel Estrada (a Honduran American) was nominated by Pres W. Bush to the Federal Appeals Court (second to supreme court), it was widely known that MALDEF was eagerly seeking the destruction or blocking of the Estrada nomination. In fact, Estrada told me personally that when he met with Maria Antonia Hernandez, then head of MALDEF, she told him that her organization was going to block his nomination because if he got confirmed it would set up a non-Mexican Latino conservative (read: a Latino version of black Justice Clarence Thomas) for the Surpeme Court and that spot was ‘reserved’ for a Liberal Chicano when the time came. The litmus test, therefore was not just being Latino, but a Mexican-American and a liberal Democrat as well. Estrada asked Hernandez why Clinton had not named any Latino to a high court position, and she had no answer. The Estrada nomination became stuck and unexpectedly Estrada’s wife died during the very contentious process and he asked for his name to be withdrawn…indeed MALDEF does not appear to represent the larger Latino community.

  NCLR on the other hand is not as sectarian, but widely seen as equating “La Raza” as Mexican, hence they are not viewed as a national leader representing all Latinos. Certainly the Cuban Americans and the Puerto Ricans and most other Latinos did not readily see NCLR as their representative. The LULACs also are closely identified as Mexican American even though seen as least partisan and certainly more grassroots as opposed to MALDEF and NCLR, which both depend on the generosity of the white liberal establishment foundations like Ford for basic funding. Precious little funding appears to come from the Latino (read: Mexican American Community) grassroots.

  As for using the internet, I suspect they have grown lax and unfamiliar or unconvinced of the internet’s effectiveness…truly a good question. Or perhaps a generational issue — the current leaders of the Hispanic (Latino) organizations did not grow up with the internet and may be less prepared to use it or their preference is conventional press releases etc..Yet nearly everyone interested in current Hispanic affiars seems to get something from the Pew Hispanic Center, which appears to be now the leading research group examining overall Latino assimulation progress, behavior and voter patterns, social-educational and economic indicators and readily reports on the Latino immigration groups by examining Federal immigration policies impacting on the Latino community.

  Also an effort should be made to compare these three basically Mexican American organizations (MALDEF, NCLR, LULAC) with such other Latino organizations such as the National Cuban Council (civic oriented), The Puerto Rican National Foundation (civic mostly) and the Cuban American National Foundation (highly political and one trick pony on US Cuba policy). In sum, we do not have even an all encompassing Latino national organization like the NAACP, the Urban League, United Negro College Fund. The nature of our divided Latino organizations: Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican and countless other Latin chambers of commerce through the country like the Panama Business Council, the Honduran Foundation, the US Ecuador Business group, the Peruvian, the Brazilian American Institute, the US Argentine groups, et al…indicates that we divide the totality of Latinos by nationality: Mexican-derived Hispanics are only 60 to 65 % of 45 million. This means there are about twenty million non-Mexican Latinos in the country that our traditional organizations pay scant attention, and be certain that the white establishment recognizes this lack of unity. The only thing that seems to united all Latinos is when the immigration debate becomes ugly and is perceived to be anti-Latino: racist and discriminatory in tone. Then you see the closing of the ranks as was the case in California during Gov Pete Wilson’s ignoble attempt to create fear of immigrants which readily became ‘racist’ and anti-Latino..the result it was an effective way of making California a Democratic Party bastion…and our NCLR, MALDEF and LULAC have not fully seized on this to forge a more united front. Finally, the most recent ‘lynching’ by whites of a Latino-Ecuadorian did not pull MALDEF into high gear, an unfortunate situation. Hopefully it was just negligence and not a wilful political position. The fact is that in a growing economic uncertainty and increasing joblessness, hate crimes against Latino immigrants and others can be expected to increase. Our Latino issues organizations should anticipate this and be ready to swing into action. The internet should be the first choice of dissemination.

• 4 Michaelr // Nov 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm

  Watching this interview with John Trasviña took incredible stamina. Now you know why MALDEF rarely puts him out in front of a camera. Then again Janet Murguía of NCLR sort of has the same problem. Neither one of them are very dynamic, and neither one of even inspires. All this really reinforces what Seneca is saying, and what I was taught two decades ago at UCLA. Both these non-profits have a long way to go before they can prove to anyone that they are bona fide civil rights organizations.

• 5 Anna // Nov 17, 2008 at 11:06 pm

  Seneca: NCLR is run by Janet Muriega who is of South American ancestry, not Mexican.

  As for MALDEF not supporting Miguel Estrada, they weren’t obligated to support his nomination. Why would they support a candidate who doesn’t support their policies? No other advocacy group would be expected to do that and neither should MALDEF.

  As for the quality of the leadership, it could be better. We need articulate, well educated leaders who are media savvy. The problem is lack of education. Quality leadership is usually ivy league educated.

  As for not responding to the death of the immigrant man on Long Island, my guess is that they don’t want to ignite a debate over illegal immigration, which any mention of Latinos seems to do. Better leaders would know how to control the discussion and not just react to it.

  Not to be mean, but Muriega intimidates easily and isn’t very assertive. I saw her one time on Lou Dobbs and she was so “in her place.” It was really sad.

• 6 Mexitli // Nov 18, 2008 at 12:59 am

  “indeed MALDEF does not appear to represent the larger Latino community.”

  This is false. Of the 47 million “Hispanics” and “Latinos” in the U.S. the overwhelming majority are of Mexican descent. Therefore, MALDEF does indeed represent them.

  Seneca offers common OTM complaints, nothing new here.

  Why doesnt Miguel Estrada start the HALDEF?

  Nothing is stopping him.

  “The LULACs also are closely identified as Mexican American”

  Holy cow. What a brainstorm. And I was accused of making idiotic statements. Nothing gets by Seneca does it?

  “both depend on the generosity of the white liberal establishment”

  So do the blacks. Whites, and do I dare say, Jews, have most of the money in this country.

  But you are wrong in that they are liberal. First, you offer no stats or citations. And I can assure you that conservatives give as well.

  “Precious little funding appears to come from the Latino (read: Mexican American Community) grassroots.”

  Cite your sources.

  “the current leaders of the Hispanic (Latino) organizations did not grow up with the internet and may be less prepared to use it or their preference is conventional press releases etc..”

  That is ridiculous.

  Do the have cell phones?

  “everyone interested in current Hispanic affiars seems to get something from the Pew Hispanic Center”

  Aww, a positive statement. Pew Hispanic is fast and online.

  “Mexican-derived Hispanics are only 60 to 65 % of 45 million.”

  Well this is just false. There are 47 million Hispanics. About 5 million are OTM.

  “Then you see the closing of the ranks as was the case in California during Gov Pete Wilson’s ignoble attempt to create fear of immigrants”

  The Cubans, who numbered about 500k at the time, took Reagan’s Republican side.

  “did not pull MALDEF into high gear”

  Have you spoken to the local chapter? Perhaps there is a logical reason. Like being underfunded or perhaps no chapter at all.

  You sound very bigoted. Again, your slant is very obvious.

  I am not one to defend the NCLR, MALDEF or LULAC but the picture you paint is clearly biased and borders on sour grapes.

  No organization is perfect. You have said nothing about what these organizations do locally for the benefit of the people, ALL PEOPLE.

  There are Asians, Blacks, Jews and OTM’s that work selflessly for these organizations and mostly poor, voiceless people benefit from their labour.

  Sorry they are not perfect.

• 7 webmaster // Nov 18, 2008 at 8:33 am

  “Seneca: NCLR is run by Janet Muriega who is of South American ancestry, not Mexican.”

  Anna, Janet Murguía’s parents are from Mexico. I believe Janet Murguía was born in Kansas City. She grew up in an area called “Argentine” which is why you may think she’s South American. Her family is actually quite accomplished. You can read more about her family here:

  http://www.nclr.org/files/30591_file_The_Kansas_City_Star_2.8.04.pdf

  Not that it really matters, but I think that Janet Murguía has a distinctly Mexican look to her.

  Mexitli,

  I have looked at MALDEF’s website for a statement about the Lucero killing and nothing was posted as of yesterday. I realize that some might be satisfied with a MALDEF, and a bunch of other alphabet soup orgs to represent the Latino constituency, but in some cases, an argument could be made for consolidating them. Seneca is trying to illustrate how factioned the Latino community is, even in Washington, D.C. You accomplish things by building winning coalitions, not by creating separate fiefdoms.

• 8 webmaster // Nov 18, 2008 at 8:46 am

  Anna,

  Actually, Janet Murguía’s father was born in Oklahoma and moved to Mexico as a young boy. Imagine living in Oklahoma and being Latino during his time.

  You can read more here:

  http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2005/3/28/focused_vision.htm

• 9 wendy carrillo // Nov 20, 2008 at 12:16 am

  yes! thank you!!!!
  There is so much need for CONTROL from latino leaders, some just dont get it, others do. but it would be nice if they could understand how important this is!

• 10 Mexitli // Nov 20, 2008 at 4:41 pm

  Ms. Webmistress:

  “I realize that some might be satisfied with a MALDEF, and a bunch of other alphabet soup orgs to represent the Latino constituency…”

  Seneca has said they don’t so even you disagree with his assumptions.

  I am am sorry for Lucero, but nothing is 100%. And maybe (hopefully) someone will take up his case.

  But I am against any consolidation of the alphabet soup of orgs. Independently they function better because they compete.

• 11 NCLR, along with other civil rights orgs, condemns recent violence // Nov 26, 2008 at 1:25 pm

  [...] And thank you NCLR for utilizing technology to allow the New Media to report this. We were just wondering when we would have more video clips available to share with the blogsphere a week [...]

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