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| Liz Ortiz |
It is quite evident that Latinos played a decisive
role in electing President Obama. Seventy-two percent of Latinos voted for the President, and in
several key states Latinos were the wave that turned the tide in the
President’s favor. Political pundits and
commentators will continue to analyze this election. My commentary merely provides some post-election
observations.
Changes in popular culture regarding Latinos as a
political power have occurred since the election. The immediate effect is
evident on major news and talk shows. In the past, a Latino guest expert was
rarely ever seen. Now, Latinos are popping up everywhere across our TV screens.
Even Bill Maher had a Republican Latina on his show. Who would have thought? However,
as I watch I am sometimes embarrassed. It often seems as if any Latino will do
and that sometimes the invited Latino speakers and experts do not seem all that
savvy or well spoken. Perhaps, now is the time for us to mobilize our resources
and inform news outlets and others of our cadre of knowledgeable spokespeople
who understand and truly represent the Latino community.
My second observation is also just as simple. In
addition to seeing more Latinos in the media, politicians need to realize that
Latinos are not a one-issue community. We care about immigration reform, but we
also care about the economy, the rich paying their fair share, the consequences
of the fiscal cliff, universal health care, climate change, and so on. Latinos
are a diverse people and our views and our positions are also diverse. However,
there are some issues that are supported by most Latinos.
ILACHE strongly supports, the DREAM Act and immigration
reform. We are counting on our President to deliver on these two important things.
But we are also counting on him to address the problems of the economy and
provide much needed relief for poor and middle class Americans. We are counting on
all our leaders to end the deadlock in Washington and in Springfield and to
govern with the people in mind, not their own selfish interests.
As this election demonstrated, Latinos will vote in
record numbers when we feel our futures are on the line. Given current
demographics, the Latino voting block can be expected to grow with each
election. This election shows that when
Latinos vote, we vote our beliefs and what we think is best for our community
and country. It is high time for politicians, pundits, and leaders to take us
seriously and that means more than just any brown face or any one issue will
do.
