If you follow the news at all, you know that Hispanics are dealing with discrimination and other problems to a greater degree than in previous years. Yet despite the heartbreaking stories about families being separated, and the idiots who denigrate our contributions to the American condition (which all will pass someday soon), there has never been a better time to be Hispanic in this country. I truly feel that way. With our population growth, youth, workforce participation, positive nature and experience in overcoming challenges, Hispanics in this nation are poised to drive business, politics and entertainment for decades. Our music is dominating the charts, our food can be found in every city in America and our culture is inspiring the next evolution of American culture. Because of this, I am considering writing a book or a long blog entitled “The Hispanic Advantage” where I will extrapolate on how the advantages of being Hispanic — especially to our younger generation, far outweigh the challenges. I will be writing more about this in future blogs.
I think most Latinos would agree that at our core, we are a generous people. If a member of our family is in need, Latinos as a rule, won’t hesitate to help financially. Family is central to Hispanic culture: our generosity has few limits. Maybe that explains why when it comes to making political donations and writing checks in support of actual philanthropic activities, Latinos come up short….When I interviewed Barack Obama last year at NAHREP at L’ATTITUDE, I pressed him about politicians not prioritizing issues that are important to Latino voters, he politely pushed back by saying…
We hear frequently how Latinos are not a monolithic community. In other words, we are not all the same. We come from different countries, have a variety of political views, and even eat different foods. I get all of that, but I also think focusing constantly on our differences versus our similarities undermines our political and economic power as a community...
This might be my most provocative blog in a while. Let me first state that I am happily married to a beautiful gringa. My kids are half- White and some of my best friends throughout my life have been White, so don’t let the title of this blog throw you.