Editorial: Have we Progressed?

There is no doubt that we are rapidly becoming a significant potential power in the US, numerically. In West Texas, we have more elected officials than we had before 1980, (around 5 then, about 150, now) thanks to the Single-Member District scheme of voting that took place during the 80’s. I had no Chicano professors while attending Texas Technological College in 1969, although Dr. Sophie Tucker and Dr. David Vigness were very helpful, sympathetic, and encouraging. We also have the activist Dr. Neal Pearson that is part of our community. Without much inquiry, I have met at least 3 declared Chicano professors at present day Tech Tech University; Professors in Law, History, and Political Science. I feel proud to know of all the other Spanish-surnamed Professors as well as multiple staff on-campus. Chicanos are rapidly and heavily populating parts of Lubbock that was unheard of in the day, hopefully for the better.

As fundamentalist conservatives like to say, “what is it that you minorities are griping about? Jessie Rangel stated that he was asked, “Are you Hispanics trying to take over”? He replied simply, “No, we’re just trying to get it back”.

So, what are some of the reasons for us getting angry and concerned about what is happening in our country. Some areas of concern seem to be worse than others like when we were not allowed to use “white” latrines. Religious fundamentalists, racist ultra-conservatives, corporations and the rich have been working since Barry Goldwater in the 60’s** to set our systems back to the day where people of color were considered inferior and not part of the fabric of America (actually, the United States). They are succeeding. Lets look at some of the areas of concern. There are many more, though.