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Most people consider themselves either a conservative or a liberal. I think if we forget political parties, which flip their positions on things all of the time, and instead focus on the actual definition of what it means to be a conservative and what it means to be a liberal, we might be able to temper the emotional reactions some of us have with political discourse. In a nutshell, conservatives resist change and prefer tradition. Liberals, on the other hand, advocate for change; they want to see progress occur more quickly. The word conservative means to conserve or maintain, while liberal and progressive means to progress and evolve. Neither is absolute, both expect change; however, liberals want it to happen more rapidly. Understanding that change is the primary differentiator between political parties, also explains why the priorities of the two major political parties tend to evolve.
During the revolutionary war, Conservatives were more loyal to Britain and argued against revolution. They hated and feared the idea of separating from mother England. At the turn of the 20th century, only hard-core liberals believed that women should have the right to vote or that Black people should have the same rights as White people. Most religions are rich in tradition, which appeals to conservatives. Conservatives also believe that the Bible and the U.S. Constitution are evergreen documents that should be taken literally. Liberals believe they are reflective of the eras when they were written and their interpretations should evolve.
I am sure when you think about it, most of us are conservative about some things and liberal about others.
I’ve said this many times: We are all being manipulated by politicians and the media to believe that anyone who differs from us politically is evil and is trying to destroy the country. Frankly, that’s what keeps the money flowing. Nothing inspires political and religious donations more than fear. It’s what keeps us glued to cable TV news. Very few people can clearly explain why they are part of any political party or whether they are conservative or liberal. They might point to one issue like abortion or civil rights but they can’t go much further than that. To me, understanding what drives people politically is part of what it means to be politically savvy. All of us can tell who among us are the thinkers and who are the ones that just like being part of a gang – who can only quote talking points that are fed to them from their favorite news outlet. Ask yourself honestly whether you are open to an opposing position on an issue. Try spending a week without CNN or Fox News then ask yourself the same question. Politically savvy people can rise above the noise where they can think clearly and unemotionally.
I know there are some bad people out there, but I think most of us, conservative and liberal, want basically the same things. We want to live in a country that is safe from both foreign and domestic threats and where everyone has a fair chance to live a productive and prosperous life – full stop. Our differences are not about what we want but rather how we get there. Some of us think we need major changes, and we need them now, and others think we need to move more slowly and be more mindful of tradition. In future blogs, I will break down specific issues and will explain why they appeal or repel to conservatives and liberals. I hope that it will lead to a more constructive dialogue for all of us.
After my last video about Pharrell Williams, I heard from people who wondered why I’d respond to a comment that, on the surface, seemed harmless. In this episode, I explain why moments like this matter—because even well-intentioned remarks can reinforce damaging narratives about Black and Latino professionals, especially around DEI and merit. And when those narratives come from influential voices, they spread fast. I also get into why unity and consistency in our messaging is critical right now, and why staying silent when false narratives gain traction can cost us economically and professionally.
Every now and then a public comment goes viral that reveals just how deeply people misunderstand diversity programs — and how quickly nuance disappears. This week, Pharrell Williams sparked conversation by suggesting that some Black and Latino professionals get opportunities they “don’t deserve.” I recorded this episode because statements like that ignore how competitive admissions and hiring actually work, and they erase the reality that our communities have always had to be both talented and lucky just to get in the room.
Every once in a while, you can feel something shifting. Over the last few months, I’ve sensed a momentum building in our community—one that feels different from 2000 and different from 2020. This time, it isn’t coming from outside forces or corporate gestures. It’s coming from us. Latinos are frustrated, galvanized, and more unified than I’ve seen in years, and I believe we’re on the edge of a defining moment. In this episode of The Latino Brand, I break down why this matters and what it means for anyone who wants to shape—not just witness—the next chapter for our community.