The Real Focus

Our friends at NewsTaco.com posted a blog post by Dr. Henry Flores Ph.D entitled Hispanic? Latino? Mexicano? Chicano? Does it Matter?

This post brings to light a conversation that, according to Dr Flores, Latinos are having "online and in various closed door meetings." I agree with him. In fact I find myself discussing this issue quite often in both venues. I am not going to get into the "I don't like labels but I label myself this way" conversation, which usually ends with me looking for BC Powder in my wife's purse to make the sharp pain in my head go away. It seems some are looking for people to rally under one banner and trying to figure out what the banner should be.

Some of the titles suggested and used by some are Hispanic, Chicano, Mexicano, Latino, and/or Tejano. Everyone has their own preference on how to describe themselves whether it is one of these or a host of others to choose from. Each one has its own meaning and personal connotations attached to it. At the end of the conversation, I don't think people are brought closer together and ready to unify under one banner.

I would equate stopping "to find our banner to unite under one voice" to "waiting for our time"; both slogans tend to stop the progress of a movement. In my opinion, once we picked a name to call ourselves, we will alienate some portions of our coalition. If we choose the word Hispanics, some people who prefer Latinos will either drop out of the movement or start their own movement under a different banner and vice versa. I think it is detrimental to our cause to label ourselves. It benefits the movement to focus on our agenda instead.

Our banner should be our issues. We should let them figure out who and what we are and how to deal with us. I contend it does not matter what we call ourselves if we do not succeed in advancing our agenda. Always remember, the winners write the history books and we can pick a name when it is time to write.

When they want to talk about Hispanics, Latinos, Chicanos, Mexicanos, and Tejanos, we should talk about education, healthcare, comprehensive immigration, jobs, and other issues that affect our community. I honestly believe that we should not waste time or energy debating each other over what we are going to call ourselves or what uniform we are wearing, and instead use that energy to define and advance our agenda.

If we are really intent on wearing a label, let's start with this: "Voter"!

~Andres