In
either case, they will be required to have the support of both Latinos
and Catholics. While “Latinos” is used more to describe the peoples of
Mexico, Central America, South America, including Brazil, and the
Caribbean, “Hispanics” has a broader connotation to include Spain and
Portugal, as well. (One ought to remember that at one time in the
historical past the Iberian peninsula was united under one power.) For
speakers of both Spain and Portugal, it becomes easier to learn each
other’s languages than is the case for other neighboring countries.
Historically, both Spain and Portugal have been rivals due to their
domination of the sea lanes before the naval ascendency of England.
Today, Brazil is the engine that drives South America! In an
energy-dependent world, Mexico’s petroleum is much sought after. In
1983, less than 30 years ago, Argentina proved they could stand up to
Great Britain in a quest to retake the Falkland Islands to restore its
original name: Las Malvinas. Venezuela with their mighty oil
reserves, of course, has also attempted to challenge the other nations
of Latin America for leadership of the southern hemisphere!
Why
this mini-discussion of past and recent history vis-a-vis the
Americas? Perhaps, it is well to comprehend the wars between the
nations of the Americas as each claimed hegemony of its region.
Certainly, the United States of America’s claim to Manifest Destiny gave
the nation a self-proclaimed right to dominate North America. The
early wars with Canada, and later with New Spain, i.e., Mexico, and with
Spain, itself, at the close of the 19th Century enabled the US to
expand far beyond the Louisiana Purchase from France, to include half of
what was previously Mexican territory. While most of what is related
here is “old hat,” the fact that many of the people of Mexico became US
citizens overnight is seldom mentioned, especially when there is so much
todo about so-called “illegal Immigration!” Who are these
swarthy-complected people that are invading our borders? Why, they are
all of the aforementioned and the peoples--for the most part--of the
Caribbean as well, that’s who. Small wonder, then, that they comprise a
population in excess of 55 million people within the US!
In
the election of November 2, 2012 hearsay language coming from political
pundits state that the US Presidency cannot be won unless one of the
candidates is able to amass more than 40 percent of the Hispanic vote
(CNN, October 6, 2012)! No such comment is made about any other
political electorate! Upon closer scrutiny we find that Hispanics are
not necessarily a monolith, since the US census has determined that
there are Black non-Hispanics and White non-Hispanics. What does that
mean or imply? Does it mean that some Hispanics are Black and others
are White. Yes, that is the connotation. If you are a member of that
group, you need only declare Hispanic on the census form. Some, no
doubt, check both: Hispanic and Other, as may be offered on the form.
Are Filipinos Hispanic? If listed as Asian Pacific, then perhaps it is
time they be listed “Asian Pacific Hispanics” or just Hispanics. Their
language consists of three stems: Chinese, Indo-Malaysian, and
Spanish. Their food and clothing and dances reflect the culture of
Spain. Whether or not they might be listed as Hispanics in future
census depends, at present, with the census bureau. If they were mixed
with the potpourri of those who make up Hispanics, then the Hispanic
electorate would be substantially augmented. Take into account that
last year Asians and Hispanics had the largest increase in the US
census. Thus, the old adage that where there are numbers there is
strength. That’s why Hispanics make a difference! Where do they
reside? Most anywhere in the US, in the territories, in the
commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in the US Military, and on and on! They
live in the Southwest, the Southeast, and the Northeast, by and large.
Pick our largest states and you will find them living in the largest
cities: San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Antonio, Houston,
Atlanta, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City,
Denver, and you name it! Winning is all about numbers!
What
about the Catholic vote? Yes, Latinos are their most sought-after
group, because of their birthrate and their religious-cultural heritage
that began with the conversion of native-Americans to the Faith.
Certainly, the vast majority of Hispanics are Catholic. Hollywood, in
every war film I have seen, goes out of its way to have a terrified
Latino soldier make the Sign of the Cross before hitting the beach! The
Evangelicals, of the religious right, have aligned themselves with
Catholics to defeat Obama! Unlike past years, however, moderate
Catholic bishops have cautioned against allowing priests to threaten
their parishioners with moral consequences, if they vote for the
President. In the past and in the present, attacks on Wade versus Roe
have been a no-starter for some Catholics who prefer that they, and not
the government, decide whether a pregnancy ought to progress.
Certainly, Catholics do not subscribe to the use of abortion as a means
of birth control! The central issue is one that pertains to a woman’s
health and well-being. (No attempt is being made here to speak for the
Church; rather, the attempt is to convey the sentiments of the many with
whom the writer has spoken.) In the future, the Democratic Platform
may wish to modify Roe versus Wade to appease the Catholic Democrats
within their ranks who view abortion as an abomination, except in cases
of a woman’s health, rape, and incest! Hispanic Catholics are,
oftentimes, hard-pressed to vote for the best candidate when religion
may become a barrier.
Separation
of Church and State is more of a myth than a reality. Just look at how
often the name of God is invoked in the printing and minting of our
currency, in our swearing upon a Bible before presenting testimony to a
judge and jury, and when commending a soul to his/her Maker, a fallen
soldier. What makes this election more dramatic is the presence
of Hispanic youth who are now eligible to vote. From where I stand,
these new arrivals have greater power than they may realize. If they
vote for the Democratic ticket, they could add to the Hispanic bloc and
help the incumbent, President Barack Obama, win a second term.
Nevertheless, the pundits agree, along with the majority of polls that
Republican Governor Romney won the first Presidential Debate. The
President will have to overcome his lackluster performance to win the
second debate! The Vice-Presidential Debate could also make an
incredible difference. Both speakers are evenly matched: while
Vice-President Joseph Biden has 40 or more years of political
experience, his opponent, Paul Ryan, chairs the powerful House Budget
Committee in the US House of Representatives! The debates, I believe,
will have an impactful effect on the election; nevertheless, as of this
writing the polls favor the President for a second term.
See
you at the debates and, please, encourage your colleagues and friends
and those of La Raza Caucus and La Raza Division to vote!
Con carino,
A. Anthony "Tony" Oseguera, PhD, Professor Emeritus
International Broadcasting
Eastern Illinois University
Anderson, SC 29621
October 7, 2012
I enjoyed this post! I think, too, that oftentimes the idea that Latinos are also Catholic is part of that monolithic view the media helps to construct and perpetuate.
ReplyDeleteReligiosity, race and ethnicity, and political leaning often go way beyond these identities that are discussed as inextricably linked. I really liked how you brought up Asian Latinos. My ears perk up when I notice similarities between Filipino and other Latino/a American cultures but it is curious how such similarities are not as accentuated in the broader Census spectrum (or series of boxes). Perhaps this is the next step in the Census changes.
I love this! Simply stated, powerful point. --> "Separation of Church and State is more of a myth than a reality."