LATINOS CONTROL THEIR OWN FATE IN USA
Domingo Ivan Casaņas
March 12, 2006
The University of Michigan population studies center had some interesting statistics showing that by the year 2020, the Latino portion of the population under 17 will reach 20% in New York, 26% in Florida, 29% in Colorado, 39% in Nevada, 49% in Arizona, 52% in Texas, 73% in New Mexico and here in California 46%. So as you can see with these stats the Latino community will continue to transform the cultural, economic and social landscape of this Country at breathtaking speed.
The Latino community has an excellent opportunity to take advantage of being labeled a majority as long as they are responsible of this stewardship not for only each other, but for the society as a whole. Successful integration in these circumstances cannot take place in the context of hostility against the prevailing Anglo culture. Promoting racial conflict might help politicians, thrill the academics and journalistic voyeurs, but it is a negative strategy doomed for failure at the cost of all Hispanics.
We need leaders that will not stoke fears among Anglos and global capital. We need a positive strategy that would show and stress that these Hispanic communities possess values that strengthen our regions, rather than weaken them. We need to focus on the opportunities, not only for the Latinos, but also for everyone, in an influx of a population that believes in work, family and God.
Government does not have an interest in giving money to failing cities. We can make further gains as Latino?s by investing in education, in infrastructure because that makes this population more productive. By doing this the Latino community will not be getting help as an act of contrition or charity, but as a smart investment. As an emerging majority we cannot build a workable coalition with others by institutionalizing preferences. America will not support for immigrants or middle class Latinos to receive preferences in the name of past injustices that occurred when, the vast majority of their families were not even living here. Ultimately like other immigrant groups, the Latino ascendancy can only succeed by accentuating its linkage to the fundamental American experience. (This does not mean you should ignore your great Hispanic Heritage.)
As Latinos we cannot subscribe to the Left mentality of victim logy whose view of immigrants and minorities is that they are always victims, rarely able to make it in this country through the application of such fundamental values as family, work, faith and community. One critical element will be not to become engaged too heavily in the victimization strategy or to rely on governmental assistance, particularly from an increasingly ineffective way that keeps many from reaching their dreams. We must remember, that as Latino?s we can be proud of the fact that we are not a permanent minority brought here against our will, we are an emerging plurality and in some cities a majority made up predominantly of people who came here of their own volition. We can boast about higher rates of labor participation, family values, and because of this we are far likely not to be on AFDC than the general population.
It is time for the downtown areas of our cities to invite the creativity and the entrepreneur spirit of all the Latino?s that can turn them from a sleepy lack of business and patrons to a major provider of goods and services like the Latino workers have done in Miami. With our ingenuity and our hard work and the loans we need to succeed we are definitely an asset to any city. However, we must remember as Latinos our success will be tied to the choices we make as individuals, families and communities under our new status.
So get ready for the upcoming majority Hispanic boom, but don't forget that much resposibilities come with it. We can participate and unite to show how we can help in making our cities and especially our downtowns into a new look or we can just sit on the sidelines and do nothing. We can show our true values or turn our face and alllow our youth to get involved with violence, drugs and gangs. The choice is clear, we are part of America and the best way to participate in this is to keep our values of family, love and helping others within our hearts. Greed will not get us anywhere!
The Latino community has an excellent opportunity to take advantage of being labeled a majority as long as they are responsible of this stewardship not for only each other, but for the society as a whole. Successful integration in these circumstances cannot take place in the context of hostility against the prevailing Anglo culture. Promoting racial conflict might help politicians, thrill the academics and journalistic voyeurs, but it is a negative strategy doomed for failure at the cost of all Hispanics.
We need leaders that will not stoke fears among Anglos and global capital. We need a positive strategy that would show and stress that these Hispanic communities possess values that strengthen our regions, rather than weaken them. We need to focus on the opportunities, not only for the Latinos, but also for everyone, in an influx of a population that believes in work, family and God.
Government does not have an interest in giving money to failing cities. We can make further gains as Latino?s by investing in education, in infrastructure because that makes this population more productive. By doing this the Latino community will not be getting help as an act of contrition or charity, but as a smart investment. As an emerging majority we cannot build a workable coalition with others by institutionalizing preferences. America will not support for immigrants or middle class Latinos to receive preferences in the name of past injustices that occurred when, the vast majority of their families were not even living here. Ultimately like other immigrant groups, the Latino ascendancy can only succeed by accentuating its linkage to the fundamental American experience. (This does not mean you should ignore your great Hispanic Heritage.)
As Latinos we cannot subscribe to the Left mentality of victim logy whose view of immigrants and minorities is that they are always victims, rarely able to make it in this country through the application of such fundamental values as family, work, faith and community. One critical element will be not to become engaged too heavily in the victimization strategy or to rely on governmental assistance, particularly from an increasingly ineffective way that keeps many from reaching their dreams. We must remember, that as Latino?s we can be proud of the fact that we are not a permanent minority brought here against our will, we are an emerging plurality and in some cities a majority made up predominantly of people who came here of their own volition. We can boast about higher rates of labor participation, family values, and because of this we are far likely not to be on AFDC than the general population.
It is time for the downtown areas of our cities to invite the creativity and the entrepreneur spirit of all the Latino?s that can turn them from a sleepy lack of business and patrons to a major provider of goods and services like the Latino workers have done in Miami. With our ingenuity and our hard work and the loans we need to succeed we are definitely an asset to any city. However, we must remember as Latinos our success will be tied to the choices we make as individuals, families and communities under our new status.
So get ready for the upcoming majority Hispanic boom, but don't forget that much resposibilities come with it. We can participate and unite to show how we can help in making our cities and especially our downtowns into a new look or we can just sit on the sidelines and do nothing. We can show our true values or turn our face and alllow our youth to get involved with violence, drugs and gangs. The choice is clear, we are part of America and the best way to participate in this is to keep our values of family, love and helping others within our hearts. Greed will not get us anywhere!
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