George Floyd, an African American from Minneapolis was murdered last week in one of the most despicable displays of police brutality ever recorded. The event spurred protests in almost every major city in the country and a few unfortunate riots.
Below are a few of my opinions on the matter:
Racism is more prevalent in America than I thought possible.
Police officers are not all racists, but there is a culture of racism that infects the law enforcement community at almost every level nationwide, and it will not change until law enforcement managers are fired, pensions are lost and perpetrators are jailed.
People who were unmoved by Floyd’s murder but critical about the protesters aren’t just part of the problem, they are the problem.
Racism and economic disparity are the biggest threats to the American system.
Eliminating systemic racism in our society will require an all-hands-on-deck effort.
Prayers, warm thoughts, and social media posts are nice, but they won’t end racism or make a material difference.
Only voting and donating money to candidates and organizations who stand firmly against racism in all forms will get the job done.
Some of the organization’s that have a strong history of fighting racism are:
There are qualities in our community that no data point can fully capture, but this episode is about one of the biggest: grit. I talk about why perseverance, resilience, family, and purpose have always been among the greatest strengths of Hispanics and Latinos, and why those strengths can be a powerful advantage in a world being reshaped by technology, wealth, and access. But grit alone is not enough. If we want to translate all of that talent and determination into lasting economic and political power, we also need stronger networks, better platforms, and more intentional leadership. The opportunity is real. The question is whether we are ready to organize around it.
For years, we’ve been told that mass deportations would mean more jobs and higher wages for U.S.-born workers. But this episode looks at why the opposite may actually be happening. I break down new research showing how immigrant and U.S.-born workers often play complementary roles in the labor market, why removing one group can hurt the other, and how these policies may be making labor shortages, housing challenges, and economic instability even worse. This is a conversation about jobs, economics, and the unintended consequences too many people still refuse to confront.
Something important is shifting, and this episode is about why it matters. For a young and fast-growing community like ours, the rise of AI may be opening doors that were previously harder to reach — not by eliminating every barrier, but by expanding access to knowledge, tools, and opportunity at a scale we’ve never seen before. But access alone won’t determine who wins. This moment calls for strategy, community, and a serious commitment to turning potential into power. The opening is real. What happens next depends on what we do with it.