The country is a mess right now. Political fanatism has ended friendships, broken families and divided this country more than ever. While we may not all agree on how we got here, most of us agree that the country is in big trouble unless we can reverse this unfortunate trend.
Some people deal with the problem by avoiding the topic of politics altogether. I understand the desire to avoid conflict, but it is not the best solution. The Italian poet and philosopher, Dante, wrote, “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality”. I always thought that was a badass quote, and the thought behind it is why I made being politically savvy one of the tenets of the NAHREP 10. Our country was built on the idea of political discourse. If we don’t discuss politics, we leave the astounding power of our government totally in the hands of politicians, corporations and the interest groups that support them. Trust me, we don’t want that either. Rather, we should all strive to be informed, active participants in our political process. Now, please take note, being informed does not mean living in a perpetual state of political combat. And, while civility when it comes to politics seems impossible right now, I believe it can be done. Here are five rules that I try to follow when it comes to political dialogue:
- Define yourself by what you do, not by how you vote
- Talk more about what you favor than what you are against
- Criticize policies not people
- Assume that most people are good
- Avoid repeating content that spews hatred and unfounded conspiracies
The first one is most important to me. Today, too many people define themselves by their politics – always posting political memes on social media and sharing their condescending opinions. They rarely shut it off. Those people live in a bubble with a handful of “friends” who agree with them. However, in the grand scheme, they are nothing but useless noise and most people just tune them out. Unless you’re a politician, don’t be defined by your politics – be defined by what you do and by who you are. Remember, people are more influenced by what they see than by what they are told. I admire people who are happy, successful, and who contribute more to our society than their opinions. Like most people, I am much more likely to be influenced by people that I admire. Stand for what you believe in, but aim to be a person of substance whose political opinions are only part of who you are.
In this episode, I break down how misinformation continues to shape the way undocumented immigrants are talked about in this country, and why that matters so much. I look at what a recent Dallas Fed report actually says about housing, wages, and jobs, and why some of the loudest headlines got the story wrong. But this is about more than bad reporting. It is about the human cost of turning people into scapegoats, the damage that misinformation does to families and communities, and why ending the division in this country begins with telling the truth.
Latinos make up about 20% of the U.S. population, and our economic power is growing even faster. In this episode, I talk about why that should change the way we see ourselves and the way we move in this country. We are driving household formation, workforce participation, GDP growth, and entrepreneurship, yet too often we still act like spectators instead of stakeholders. This is a conversation about economic power, confidence, and why controlling our narrative and asserting ourselves boldly is not optional — it’s our responsibility.
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.