Actions Speak Louder than Words

As I reflect on the last Mayoral Forum that I attended, which was the Latino Summit that was held at Minute Maid Park … I am still haunted by one of the questions asked.

Will you consider hiring Hispanic candidates for high-level cabinet positions if you were Mayor?

All the candidates, without missing a beat, calmly stated that they would consider hiring Hispanic candidates.  Sounds great right?

Well, let’s look at that question again but in particular I would like to emphasize the words used.  Did you realize that the Mayoral candidates were not committing to hiring qualified Hispanic candidates? They committed to considering hiring Hispanic candidates.

What a nice word … to consider … it relieves anyone from accountability.  I consider plenty of things, all the time, every day!

I consider whether I will wake up on time or hit snooze for ten minutes.

I consider whether I will write an article today or not. I hope you understand how weak the word “consider” really is and it disappoints me that the question was not more direct.

After reviewing the Houston Mayoral Campaign Finance Reports of all three candidates … one item stood out.  There is not a presence by prominent Hispanics as consultants, media adviser, research director, pollster or campaign manager … in other words the Big Five.

Does it imply that Hispanics are not qualified to fill the role of the Big Five? It seems that white men hold a monopoly on this niche … there is a lack of diversity and minority presence in all the campaigns when it comes to the Big Five.

It does not mean that Peter Brown, Gene Locke or Annise Parker are apathetic to the concerns of Hispanics or minorities but if they are serious about “considering” to hire Hispanics for top-level cabinet positions … it does not hurt to begin on their campaign.

Update: Kristopher Banks notes that: "Annise Parker's first campaign hire, James Cardona, her finance director, is Hispanic. Her campaign chair, Gilbert Garcia, is Hispanic" and

Matt Hardigree adds that Peter Brown's Campaign Manager is "Lucinda Guinn, who is actually hispanic. Her mother's maiden name is Sandoval and her father's name is Guinn, thus the confusion. We also have numerous hispanic senior staff members in our field, operations, and political departments. Just thought you should know."

I do want to note that at the Latino Summit, Gene Locke noted that Christian Archer comes from Adelate which was founded by a Hispanic.

I feel that I need to clarify that my blog post was more of a reflection about the question asked at the summit and the cynicism that I implore when I hear candidates answer the question. In no way should this post imply that I am attacking any candidate in particular, in fact I am glad to be enlightened that Gene Locke, Peter Brown and Annise Parker are walking the walk.