by Edgar León
It is a fact that many Latinos nowadays are being more complacient and less motivated to
rock-the-boat than ever before. They are less motivated because many fear the negative
consequences of exposing what is wrong and improper. Some fear the future trouble they
would create on themselves, their family and friends.
Lets hope that those who are afraid to talk are Latinos who are leaving the workforce and
are retiring. This void will help the new Latinos get a voice and consideration that is long
due. Maybe the Latinos who were afraid never did anything for anyone other than damage
our reputation and keep us all in shame.
If you watch the media you may find that many groups of people are protesting to defend
their rights given by the U.S. Constitution. This constitution does not exclude Latinos.
The laws defend latino rights as well as any other race or ethnic group. Why is it tha the
general population believes that people who speak Spanish do not deserve the same
consideration, respect and protection given by the constitution? Where did they pick up
such behavior?
Well, I have several theories. First, that many of our text books have very little amount of
Latinos as active participants in our society. Second, that the media rarely portrays any
Latinos in their commercials. Third, that not even in our major sport of Basketball, we see
a Latino athlete advertizing any item.
Lets take another angle which may also serve as a catalist for the Anti-Latino movement in
the USA. Most of the Latinos who come to the USA every summer are farmworkers.
They spread from North to South and from East to West to harvest fruits and vegetables at
a very low wage. Lately, they are also working in the meat packing plants around the
country which is very high risk and with no benefits.
Most of the Latino migrants who come to the USA do not speak English. I make a point of
saying Latino migrants because we also have Chinese imigrants who by the way have come
to the USA at a greater proportion than any other immigrant. It is just a simple oversight of
the hate groups who like to pick on Latinos and say that we have been the largest immigrant
group. That is plain wrong!
Another issue is that a large proportion of Latino migrants are poor and lack the necessary
education to get a better job. But, we are also getting plenty of Latino professionals who
are doctors, engineers, teachers, lawyers, business people and scientist. These Latinos
make a great contribution to our society. Somehow, the general population tend to forget
this minor issue.
Just because we are Latinos does not mean that we do not have the mental and physical
potential to make it in life as productive citizens.
What can we do to change this erroneous attitude against Latinos? Attitudes change by
talking to people. By rocking the boat and any other ship that gets in the way of lies and
wrong assumptions. Attitudes change by telling the truth about the mis-treatment of Latino
children in our schools and public institutions. You do not need any permission to say the
truth and talk to the press. You live in a free country with freedom of speech and press.
We can help change this picture by confronting and exposing those who auto declare
themselves representatives of Latinos and serve as gate keepers to actually prevent any
positive change. The only motivation is self interest and petty politics which affects us all.
Well I'm very sorry but Latinos are now in a great era in which communications are better
than ever and we have good people in the media willing to expose the corrupt people who
have been representing us for too long.
We live in a world with many races, color and creeds which have to be respected and
treated equally by all. We must change the attitudes by providing the population with new
positive examples of Latinos. So, the next time you have a chance, rock the boat and speak
up.
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