2024 is a pivotal year in the political life of America. It is an election year that will determine whether the republic that has withstood 248 years of tests, resulting in improvements on original ideas of a self-governing democracy, can hold to its principles or yield to the expedient nature of those seeking unilateral control of its institutions.
The Latino community, as a rapidly growing demographic and political giant that has a major stake in the future of the country, has a lot to say about the outcome. Currently responsible for 50 percent of all growth in America and producing a million of new eligible voters a year, Latinos must be at the forefront of the defense of liberty in all of its diversity.
Our farm houses in Central Texas included a Black family that I would walk by and see on my way to my aunt’s home. I had seen the family’s older boy several times a week on the side of the road trying to fix their school bus that would take them to their segregated school.
The bus I was on was a relative new one taking me to a “White” school and his was an old left-over. I knew about segregation because it frequently happened to us at restaurants, but I did not understand why that did not extend to school. His father was an avowed Republican who did everything to make sure and vote, as in his mind, he was again voting for Mr. Lincoln and everything the Civil War President had stood for. That changed with President Nixon’s Southern Strategy that turned the White south into a Republican bas- tion with a different racial message.
“Today, African Americans have stronger support for the Democratic Party than any other group has for either party, voting 93 percent Democratic in the 2012 presidential election, 89 percent Democratic in the 2016 presidential election, and 87 percent Democratic in the 2020 presidential election.” This monolithic support is in stark contrast to the rest of the voters in general and particularly to that of Latinos.
Latino political diversity tends to reflect the national trends as a 2021 poll indicates that the nation as a whole was 37 percent Conservative, 36 percent Moderate and 21 percent Liberal. A similar report shows Latino voters as 32 percent Conservative, 38 percent Moderate and 28 percent Liberal.
Pushing the Liberal group up are the Millennials who register a 37 percent affiliation versus 21 percent for non-Millennials. Another important characteristic in the Latino voting community are the Spanish dominant households where 45 percent consider themselves Conservative.
The core of this group are immigrant families. Their Conservative philosophy is an integral part of the Latino political landscape.
It is ironic that almost half of Latinos from immigrant families are Conservative and yet there is very little room for them in the Republican Party. Times have changed since Cuban refugees were welcomed with open arms by the previous Republican generation.
The anti-minority and anti-Latino climate, especially in red states, is creating a disconnect between Latino political philosophy and their voting behavior. The 2 to 1 preference for Democrats over Republicans confirms that treatment.
More of the same is expected in the 2024 election. The political climate that discounts Latinos appears to be getting worse.
Latino political diversity is a dynamic phenomenon that currently features Millennials increasingly pulling the community toward change and a more Liberal agenda while on the other side, voters from immigrant families see the need for maintenance of stability and traditional values. These differences are important given a level playing field.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of laVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
