A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a recent survey which was conducted by the PEW Hispanic Center which surveyed 1,000 Hispanics/Latinos in an effort to find out how they felt about the immigration issue and the marches which were held earlier this year in response to HR 4437, the immigration reform bill passed by the U.S. House late last year. The non profit organization highlighted four findings in its report:

o More than half of Latinos say they are seeing an increase in discrimination towards them and other Latinos

o About 75% of those surveyed say the debate will prompt more Hispanics to vote in November’s general elections

o Almost two thirds, or 63%, think the pro-immigrant marches held earlier this year signal the beginning of a “new and lasting” social movement.

o A majority, 58%, believes Hispanics are working together to achieve common goals; up from 43% in 2002



This week, let’s focus on the last two points.

If almost two thirds of respondents think the pro-immigrant marches held earlier this year signal the beginning of a “new and lasting” social movement, you sure can’t tell by the sounds of silence which have returned not only to this area, but to the nation as a whole.

Since, May 1, very little has been heard from local organizers and local “Hispanic leaders” who attended the pro immigrant march held here in Lubbock. That fact alone would seem to dispute the finding that the marches signaled a new and lasting social movement.

In order for a movement to have a lasting effect and influence change, the issue must be kept alive and must be at the forefront of most people’s minds: which, by the way, is something the Republicans seem to be doing very well.

With their immigration hearings being held by design in certain parts of the country; where this issue is as hot as a hundred degree day in the “Giant Side of Texas”, they are signaling to their conservative, xenophobe wing of the party that the issue must be kept alive, if they are to use it as a catalyst for keeping control of Congress.

For a movement associated with a particular issue to become “new and lasting”, it needs leadership; it needs visibility, it needs to get its message out to the people who need to hear it.

The fourth finding in the study says that 58% of respondents now

believe that Hispanics are working together to achieve common goals. Really? And where might that be? Because, as Festus would say, it sure isn’t in “these here parts”!

Working together to achieve common goals is an admirable and honorable thing to do. But if Hispanics, who disagree with legislation like HR 4437, are to be successful in forcing changes to ridiculous measures like HR 4437 and a watered down Senate Immigration Reform Bill, they must mobilize just as actively as groups which favor the anti-immigrant legislation do.

Unfortunately, since early spring and May 1, the wheels seem to have come off the bandwagon.

If the fourth PEW finding is correct, I would suggest that at least 4 things must happen if Hispanic groups and their supporters want to successfully work together to get the bandwagon rolling again.



o National organizations like LULAC, which was the main organizing force for the huge demonstrations held in Dallas and Houston for example, must engage their membership and impress upon them the importance of being active participants, and not just sideline observers in the debate; and they must start now.

o Nationally elected Hispanic politicians who are against the provisions of HR 4437 must be more vocal, stop being afraid to speak out, and come out and say so. Local organizations like WTOS and local and area elected Hispanic officials must be more vocal on this issue and be the “public voice” for those who care about immigration reform but have no “bully pulpit” from which to speak.

o If the Democratic Party wants to have a chance to win back control of Congress, then it must believe that the key lies on winning the Hispanic vote in November; then on a national, state, and local level, the Democratic Party needs to reach out to the Hispanic voter more than it ever has. It must “speak” to the potential Hispanic voter in a political and cultural language they understand.

o Hispanics, who happen to care about this important issue’s outcome (and not all do nor do we all feel the same way) must hold our elected officials accountable for their votes. In this instance, elected officials like local Congressman Randy Neugebauer must be judged at the polls by the votes he has cast in favor of legislation like HR 4437. We must get better at not just registering to vote, but at actually VOTING!



I

am not suggesting that these are the only answers, but it sure does beat what is happening now; or in this case, not happening.

To be sure, the issue of immigration reform will be at the forefront of the November elections. As we get closer to November, the “anti-immigration – anti-Mexican – border – homeland security – global war on terror roar” from the right will get stronger and stronger.

Will those who happen to stand on the other side of this divisive issue be organized enough and willing enough to drown out the roar?

We’ll know after Tuesday, November 7 whether the respondents to the PEW survey were right.



Email: acruztsc@aol.com