The past year and a half; or so it seems; some residents in the community have called others out for not supporting certain causes or certain elected officials based solely on a common ethnic ancestry.
Those days are gone and they are gone forever. The sooner we acknowledged that and move on the better off we will all be.
Up until the mid 80’s and possible the late 80’s in certain cases; ethnic unity was alive and well. It was in full display when some wise individuals in the community went up against city government and the LISD system to enjoin both to get with the program and go to single member districts.
Before then; ethnic unity was a part of life in this city. That is because there was no other choice. We were all in the same station in life for the most part. Back then we were all taking the blows dealt by those in power who were trying to preserve their dominant stranglehold on the rest of us.
Both Mexican Americans and African Americans in this city suffered discriminatory practices and institutional discrimination was just a part of life.
Consequently that was one thing that bound us together. We would share each other’s pain and we would for the most part all think in similar ways and try and heal the same wounds that discrimination leaves within our hearts and minds.
But that was then; this is now.
Now we have progressed to the point where we no longer are subjected as a group to these kinds of things. Although they still occur to a certain degree; some of us never experience some of the same things we did back then.
Just ask the younger generation. Look around you and see the integrated marriages and relationships. Look around you and see how many people live in other parts of the city as opposed to the barrios or predominately minority neighborhoods.
That is why we have to acknowledge that those who still call for all of us to act the same way; to think the same way and to vote the same way are hanging on to a false hope.
And the sooner we recognize that; the sooner we can move forward and create a new model of unity.
One; where we are united by a set of values and beliefs which will serve to contribute to the greater good.
History is valuable in that it teaches us to not repeat the mistakes of the past.
It is also valuable as a tool to forge a new future based on unity of people in general; not one based on skin color or ethnicity.

Editorials are strictly the opinion of El Editor’s editorial board. The board is made up of Publisher Bidal Aguero; Business Manager Olga Aguero and editorial writer Abel Cruz. Opinions expressed in our editorials do not represent the views of our advertisers or anyone else associated with El Editor Newspaper or eleditor.com