It is a beautiful moment for African Americans tonight. It's a moment to cherish in US history.
The country is about to elect it's first African American president. It's a historical moment
The image of an African American as the leader of the US will bring deep social changes to our country. His presidency will be a subtle reminder to all of us that color has no correlation with intellect. He will be a role model for the African American youth, some who will most likely follow in his footsteps. His presidency will redefine and expand the meaning of being a US American, to include more deeply the African American culture
Nevertheless, amidst this historical time, we are leaving out a large constituency. Hispanics are part of this country’s mix and they are shaping the direction of the US. However, mainstream media does not show this fact, just like they failed to showcase the political voice of African Americans for many decades. There is a lag from when the media chooses to showcase an image of our country to what is really happening. African Americans have been part of our countries’ political make up for many decades, but I feel it’s until recently that the media began to project this fact. Hispanics are currently part of this country’s political make-up but this fact is not being presented to the public.
Must 30 or 50 years pass for the media to recognize the political voice of Latinos and just then finally showcase this fact to the world?
It's a momentous time in the US. The possibility that Barack Obama will be the first African American president in US history seems more and more likely as time passes. His campaign exudes a sense of inevitable victory...like it's destined to win. I feel the media has picked up on this. It seems there are more African American commentators are on TV and the the media is giving African Americans more equitable time on TV to voice their opinions. It’s fascinating to watch this happen, however this should have occurred many years ago.
The US is no longer the black and white world, literally and figuratively, that existed 100 years ago. Today, Latinos are a big part of this mix. Latinos will, in the near future, become the majority of the minorities. English no longer holds a monopoly on the means of communication; Spanish has become a fierce competitor in the US. The growing use of bi-lingual education is testament to this fact. Favorite fastfoods such as pizza, hotdogs and burgers are now no longer the number one choice. It's now Mexican and other Hispanic foods that are seducing the palates of many around the US. We are now becoming "green" people a long past tradition of our Latin American "Indian" ancestors. I hope an Obama presidency will lead the country to recognize this reality and thus show the world that the US is more than just a black and white world.
"I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine Americans when I eat dinner at the White House...." said President Bush next to the president of the Philippines.
I'm hoping an Obama administration will elevate the level of cultural competence and expertise of our country.
"Illegal" immigration is a problem we need to confront.
The solution is the free mobility of labor. If someone wants to work and the US market demands it, then welcome to the US. Why is it the best solution?
First, it's the quickest solution to any proposal. Forget about building a wall or adding more patrol officers along the border.
Second, the US is a major player in a global economy. The free mobility of labor is just another element of being a capitalist country. Third, the US gets lots in return and it's the morally correct thing to do. We send aid to countries that are in need. Then aid "illegal" immigrants by giving them jobs, especially when market forces demand them. But unlike other situations, where the donor country gets nothing in return, the US does in this case. The work of "illegal" immigrants increases the productivity of US businesses, which in turn makes them more competitive in a global economy. Also, the US government gets to increase revenue from the taxes "illegal" immigrants pay. Furthermore, US business get to reduce their costs since most "illegal" immigrants take in ridiculously low wages, are not insured and don't get sick or vacation time off.
It's a win-win situation.
How is the life of "illegal" Latin Americans in the US?
The problem of "illegal" immigration in the US is an economic and social one, not criminal. In the face of economic scarcity, any human being will go to extremes to safeguard their loved ones. The film "Under the Same Moon' captures this sentiment. This film shows the instability "illegal" immigrants continue to experience in the US to find and maintain a job. It shows the heartbreaking reality of families nurturing their bonds over a pay phone. Just as important, it demonstrates the warmth of Latin Americans who help each other in a world many wish not to be in.
Why does the US not allow the unrestricted mobility of labor as the European Union does? Building a fence along the border and criminalizing 'illegal" immigrants is not economically or morally correct. "Illegal" immigrants are not only responding to economic pressures at home but also to market forces demanding labor in the US.
The solution to "illegal" immigration in the US is the free mobility of labor. It's a win-win situation for everyone.
I've noticed an emerging categorization of Latin Americans that is offensive and ignorant.
Should we refer to Latin Americans as "brown"? Should we refer to Asians as "yellow"?
As a Latin American, I find categorizing Latinos, as "brown", offensive and ignorant. Because it denies and dismisses Latin American's from our main source of identity. Our identity is not based on a color, it comes from our country of origin or from our Latin American roots or from our culture.
We can't label Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Ruben Blades as "brown"? or Roberto Clemente or Celia Cruz as "brown" either. They became or have become who they are primarily as a result of their culture and not because of the color of their skin.
To my knowledge, the concept of labeling people as "brown" does not exist in Latin America.
The use of the term "brown" imposes on Latin Americans a categorization that does not define who we are.
The Wall Street reported this week that in the world of business "whites make up 81.6% of the work force and 83.5% of managers". Black men "earned 74% of the wages of white males; Hispanic men earned 58%".
There is an urgent need, in our country, to make drastic changes to our labor force. These numbers are outlandish and as the WSJ observed "this inequality shapes perceptions about who can or should be a leader".
An Obama administration can set the path for this much needed change in our country.
In some near future the US will become a bilingual nation. English, as well as Spanish, will serve to unite our country. An Obama presidency will set the path for this change.
From all the other candidates, it appears an Obama presidency will be more accepting to changes in society. In his last debate with Hillary, he brought up matters concerning Hispanics that, to my knowledge, other candidates have not addressed. He often spoke about the US being a country of immigrants, about passing the Dream Act and about stopping hate crimes against Hispanics. He also spoke about not creating two classes in the US and working with Mexico as a solution to illegal immigration.
I feel Obama prepared himself to discuss Hispanic issues in this last debate. At the least, it shows that he is aware of problems and ideas that Hispanics having been talking about for awhile. I feel no other candidate has done the same. Considering this fact, I feel that as Spanish becomes more widespread in the US, an Obama presidency will be more accepting to this social change. Furthermore, I believe his administration will be better attuned to Hispanic issues and thus will allow Hispanics to a play a greater role in the US.
Barack Obama embodies genuine leadership and cultural change that is essential to lead our country. He projects a sense of trust. He can be trusted to lead with the common good in mind. Whether or not he has enough experience, he carries with him a powerful wisdom that will allow him to make the right decisions.
He is capable of amending our problems of racism which have haunted our country far too long and which few have dared to address. He embodies a new and more authentic image of what a US American is. His candidacy has presented us with a new view of our country and who we are, and not electing him would leave us with a job half done. Therefore, let's vote 4 Obama.
One of Obama's greatest appeals is his message of unity and change. In the spirit of his message, and as a Latin American, I feel there is also a need of unity and change in our view of the term America. A change in this view can eventually help our country's views on immigration.
America is the entire Western Hemisphere. Canadian's, Haitians or Peruvians are all American just as Italians and Germans are European or Koreans and Japanese are Asian. This is a widespread sentiment in Latin America, that has yet to resonate in the US. Amongst all the candidates, I feel Obama is the one who can set the path for our country to eventually embrace this message of one America.
Why is media coverage more about Hillary's loss, rather than on Obama's victory in Iowa? I was disillusioned with the discussion amongst news analysts, Thursday night on NBC and on Sunday morning's The Chris Matthews Show. I felt it was constantly geared towards analyzing why Hillary lost and little coverage was given to Obama's victory. Interestingly, I didn't find the same with the Republican side. As expected, the discussions appeared more about Huckabee's victory.
