Will Latinos Vote for Obama?
Right after Michelle Obama spoke, a Latina friend of mine in Massachusetts sent me a text message. She had been watching the convention live on CNN. My friend was an ardent supporter of Hillary during the primaries. At that time we had many passionate discussions about why she thought Hillary was the best choice for our community while I argued the case for Obama. After the primary it has still been quite challenging to get her and many other of my friends not only to vote for Obama, which I think they will ultimately do, but also to actively work to ensure that he gets elected.
This is why when people ask me “Will Latinos vote for Obama?” I say: “Yes, they will”. I don’t think Latinos voting/not voting for Obama is the problem as it relates to Latino support of his campaign. Several studies already have him leading among Latinos. Besides, common sense will tell you that all you have to do is look at the economy, the price of gas, the crisis in our schools which are at an all time high in drop out rates, the rise in crime, and the lack of significant improvement to our health care system -- add to this the number of Latinos dying in Iraq and you will find that Latino families, just like most American families, are hurting badly. These issues will surely have a strong impact on Election Day because Latinos will seek change to alleviate the crisis. There is very little that the Republican government has done in terms of policy during the last 4 years that could make a case for Latinos to vote for them in big numbers as they did in 2000.
Having said that, I do not believe that a number of Latinos (at least in MA) are yet at the point of actively engaging in the Obama campaign, which is different from just voting. This is not to say that they will vote for McCain in big numbers because I am not sure if he even has a "convincible" message for Latinos, period. However, Obama has a potential missed opportunity here. Although Massachusetts Latinos are not a priority in terms of numbers and swing states, we are potential bilingual volunteers in other swing states where the Latino community could be the deciding factor. Obama's message should be permeating the hearts and minds of Latinos springing them to action.
Last night it started to happen, at least with my Latina friend from Massachusetts. In her text message after listening to Michelle Obama, she wrote: “Where do I sign up?” Another text from her immediately followed: “I want to go to a Denver or Ohio to help in the last two weeks leading up to election day. Let’s do it!” She heard Obama’s message. It was clear and effective and it brought her to the point of wanting to be a part of this movement. To the Obama campaign I say bring your story and your message to our communities more effectively – it will be worth the effort not only for your campaign but for the country. To my good friend who has come around I say “¡Bienvenida!”
related links
New politics forums
Will Latinos vote for Obama? If they want their grandmothers and parents who are ere illegally to stay in the country they will. If they want better oppurtunity without having to fight Arabs in a desert just to come back to the states and end up in mediocure jobs or at best...cops...they will.
A lot of this stuff is race related but this election will be a referendum not on race but exactly how racist the country is.
Is this country so anti-black that even when they have an intelligent man who cares and whow ill work hard for their issues they stillr eject him for the white man who promises to do nothing for this country but make more money for ioil companies drilling off shore?
Obama needs to show people not that he will be a good president bu tat if he isnt preisdent their lives will continue to take a down turn.
As a latino growing up in Massachusetts since the late 70s I have seen the transformation that has occured in the state. My immigrant family moved here in 1978 from the Dominican Republic, needless to say, life was very difficult for a single mother with 4 children. I have been blessed with a strong single mother raised her children to become college educated professionals just as Obama's mother did with him. As you can imagen growing up latino in Boston was very difficult, especially when no strong latino leader existed to speak for the then small minority group.
For inspiration as a latino with hope I turned to a leader that spoke for us all, this leader was an African American who gave all minorities hope an inspiration. Martin Luther king legacy has done more for latinos and minorities than any other leader has done. The problem is that the majority of Latinos who have been here less than 20 years did not see the minorities struggles before the 1990s. Things have changed dramatically the past 18 years. To appreciate what this opportunity means to latinos one would have to have lived the oppressive eras of the 60s, 70s, 80s.
Today I stand by a leader that does not speak my language, share the same culture, or of the same race. However I believe this man bring latinos the hope that MLK gave to African Americans in the 60s, 70s, and beyond. When I listen to Obama's speeches I can't help to think about the struggles my family went through, my throat cramps up, and tears of happiness come role down the side of my face.
Obama's message speaks of hope for us all and unless positive change to empower, educate, and to provide opportunities for latinos occurs; the latino race will continue to scratch the bottom of the income brackets, drop out of school, live in poverty and fall victim to republican oppression.
Obama I strongly believe is the leader who will represent the latin race. Clinton was the first "black" president, Obama will be the first "latino" president.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.