It did not take that long for Latino political officials to address the latest Republican stunt to disenfranchise voters of the minority community. Councilmember James Rodriguez of District I and Councilmember Edward Gonzalez of District H filed suit against Harris County. Councilmember Gonzalez stated, “The proposed map cracks communities of interests and dilutes the voting [...]
Somewhere in America … every hour someone commits a hate crime. Every day at least eight blacks, four gays or lesbians, two jews, two whites and one Latino become hate crime victims. Every week, a cross is burned. There are things that you can do to stop hate. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) suggests: [...]
Ralph K.M. Haurwitz of the Austin American-Statesman has an interesting article in today’s edition regarding Hispanics and higher education. Haurwitz sheds light on a state education goal established in 2000 that seems to be unattainable as we approach the deadline in 2015.
Haurwitz notes:
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!
Even though Hispanics account for over 40% of the population in Houston, they only make up around 12–16% of the electorate. That is shameful when one puts into perspective. For example, non-Hispanic Whites are about 28% of the population and African-Americans account for 24% of Houston’s population. Yet, they each average around 30% of their electorate. In other words, Hispanics have a deficit of at least 15% when it comes to elections.
What could be the reason? Do they not care about politics? Are they apathetic?
This million-dollar question is hard to answer since there could be many and multiple justifications for the end result.
I had to seriously do a double take when I heard this story. A headline that I would typically attribute to The Onion, “Steele: GOP needs ‘hip-hop’ makeover” was reported by the legitimate non-parody publication Washington Times.
I even double-checked the URL because I was adamant that it was a phishing scam to get Liberals riled up over a false positive. Fortunately … or unfortunately depending on what side of the aisle you stand … the story was true.
I am a native Texan and as long as I can remember, Texas has been red … at times deep purple when President Bush was on the ballot. It looks like times may be a changing.
I have entertained this concept in several posts before. I recommend checking out “Why Texas will Lean Left, Examining How Texas Voted or A Bluer America?” for my input on the idea.
The GOP is not waiting around for the election to be over before they commence on the rebranding process that Republicans dearly need in a post Bush era. There is no question that the party needs to reform, the debate occurs on how they will achieve it and what path the party will take.
The Wall Street Journal entertains the concept and offers their opinion:
According to a Pew Hispanic Center report, the Hispanic population account for more than half the U.S. population growth since 2000.
Contrary to popular belief though, illegal immigration nor legal migration, were not the reason why the Hispanic population grew so much.
Stephen Klineberg, Rice University sociologist, adds, “What’s fueling the growth is the natural increase, the U.S.-born babies, of the previous immigrants who came here five or 10 years ago.”
“The reason for that natural increase is not because Latinos are having so many babies, it’s because so many of the Latinos in Houston are of child-bearing age,” he said.
