Latinos in the United States are undergoing an arduous process of acculturation and sometimes assimilation to the fundamental nature of American life. The history of this development involves major changes in a social perspective of place and the psychological adjustment of identity in the face of a transformation from marginalization to the mainstream.
The growth, fundamentally led by the immigrant sector of the community (without necessarily being aware), has automatically taken a lot of focused energy and attention away from the everyday politics of division. The resulting expanded awareness is serving the purpose of tending more toward the notion of work and the socioeconomic goals involved.
When Donald Trump initiated his successful presidential campaign, he did so by going after Latino immigrants and branding them rapists and criminals. Touching on the immigration issue had the effect of consolidating and activating an extreme right wing White racial movement that, together with a strong anti-Jewish sentiment and the tendency to harass Black Americans, created a basis for expressing grievances and sometimes violent conduct.
The grievances and violent behavior reveals a deeper fear of becoming a minority, losing political control and appearing less relevant. This is characteristic of a generation’s feeling that comes at the completion of a cycle of social and political power.
The post-World War II babies grew up as the pampered offsprings of the Greatest Generation, ascended the Liberal heights of the Great Society and experienced the Cold War triumph over the Soviet Union. They later found themselves in a downward spiral that has caused national divisions as they have become Conservatives defenders of the status quo against the rise of minority communities as well as a new generation of Americans that has become the demographic majority.
The political divisions have also given rise to MAGA extremists and White supremacists in the Republican Party that now appear to be in control of the Party. In the Democratic Party it is the Left wing Progressive Movement that appears to have the loudest voice and the most influence on its policy platforms.
Another aspect of this reality is the White face of the extreme right and the Black face of the Progressive left. These images are not only in concert with the political divisions in the country but also illustrated them in a most stark contrast.
A leading question that begs an answer is, Where do we place the Latino community given the extreme and contradictory chasm in our political reality? The question is very important because we are again in an election season and need to find keys to predict outcomes.
Latinos are also referred to as the “5th” race because they include the other 4. This is the most diverse racial and ethnic community in America and perhaps in the world.
Its diversity leads the Latino community to form part of both governing parties as well as include elements that populate both the right and left political extremes. By in large however, Latinos in general appear to be more focused on building a community, family and work environment.
There is a sense that because of their combined values, the Latino community, even as members of the Democratic and Republican Parties, tend to be, like Moderates and Independents, in the middle of the political spectrum. At the same time, Latino youth and Millennials are getting rest- less and, like their counterparts in the other groups, want a major voice in the affairs of the country.
Latinos are relatively young. This fact can change the rules of engagement.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
