Chan Lowe: Latinos get shafted
If you’re a Latino in this country, you or someone you know or love may well have an immigration problem. Unless, of course, you’re a Cuban-American.
The official Republican view of Latino migrants is xenophobic and borders on racist. Since Latinos often don’t speak our language all that well when they first arrive, and they don’t resemble the people who disembarked from the Mayflower, it's easy for GOP pols to demonize them as the dreaded “other,” terrifying the local folks with talk that our culture is being overrun by furriners while simultaneously reaching out for political contributions.
The Democrats aren’t much better, dropping by the barrio every couple of years to talk the talk, snag some money and choke down a tamale while taking Latino voters for granted. Remember all that “This is our time,” “Si se puede” stuff from Obama back in 2008? Somehow Latino priorities tend to drop far down the list when it comes time to expend that precious political capital in Washington. It’s a condescending attitude that, just like the xenophobic view, robs them of dignity. The only difference is that the Democrats think of them as a bloc, while the Republicans see them as a horde.
Maybe by mid-century, after the United States becomes a majority-minority country, they’ll just be viewed as Americans, without a label.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
You must be from South Florida when you make statements like "if you’re a Latino in this country, you or someone you know or love may well have an immigration problem. Unless, of course, you’re a Cuban-American".
Unless Puerto Ricans are not considered Latinos, anymore. I am a third generation Puerto Rican with Jewish, Italian and Irish background. Born in New York, my great grand father made sure he assimilated, fight racism dead on and made sure his future generations get an Education and Love this country that he fought for in WW2.
And for the Record I do not, I repeat DO NOT know or love anyone facing immigration problems.
Just had to call out your Stereotyping. Another note: Republicans politians are not racist, they just punder to the voter whom are. When Republicans control all three branches of government, none of them have ever pass an immigration reform law. They know this will hurt the busineses that hired them. Republicans are pro business. The last meaningful immigration reform law was sign into law by President Clinton, if I am not mistaken.
Posted by: Luis "Ari-Hebrew for Lion" Romano | July 28, 2011 10:34 PM
What Latinos needs to do is start assimilating themselves, stop waiting for political favors and create there own Polititians and vote them in. The problem with Latinos in general is that all groups that compose Latinos think they better than the other. Their is no unity. (this is more prominent in South Americans). Everyone pull in different directions seeking the white mans approval (for lack of better words). There is lot of racism, jealosy among Latinos groups against each other. The Puerto Ricans are more prominent in not paying attention to the BS and hate and division that South Americans groups are accustomed to.
Posted by: Ari "the Conguering Lion" | July 28, 2011 10:48 PM