By Ellis Cose | NEWSWEEK
Published Aug 14, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Aug 31, 2009.
From the moment of her nomination in May, it was clear that, barring some unforeseen scandal, Sonia Sotomayor would be confirmed to the Supreme Court. It was equally clear that her nomination would take on huge symbolic significance. She was portrayed as someone who embodies the values of grit, faith, family, and friendship, and as a living example of the power of the American dream. For Latinos, in particular, she was a sign of long-awaited change. "To have her ascend to the highest court in the land, it is such a strong feeling of belonging," says Lillian Rodríguez López, president of the Hispanic Federation. Sotomayor's nomination was "recognition of the contributions our communities…have made to the United States."
At the White House reception in Sotomayor's honor on Aug. 12, President Obama paid tribute to the power of her story. "This moment is not just about her," he said. "It's about every child who will grow up thinking to him- or herself, 'If Sonia Sotomayor can make it, then maybe I can, too.' " That line, which drew the most prolonged applause of Obama's short speech, provided a perfect setup for Sotomayor's own applause line: "It is this nation's faith in a more perfect union that allows a Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx to stand here now."
To say Sotomayor's story is compelling is an understatement; every chapter is worthy of Hollywood. At her Senate confirmation hearings, she sat calmly through days of tendentious questions, refusing to let on that she was in excruciating pain due to an ill-fitting cast on her broken ankle. When she finally did let her feelings show, it was at her moment of triumph. After the Senate voted to confirm her, Sotomayor collapsed in tears into the arms of Theresa Bartenope, her longtime aide. Later, during a celebration at her home, surrounded by well-wishers, she beamed, announcing: "I have the best friends in the world. There is not anybody as blessed as me."
But there is also a story beyond Sotomayor, one that helps explain why her appointment elicited such excitement. That story has to do with the state of American politics and the role that Latinos play in it. Even before her nomination, various groups—including the Hispanic Congressional Caucus, chaired by New York Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez—approached influentials inside and outside the White House arguing that it was time to name a Hispanic to the court. And once Sotomayor was tapped, those same groups engaged in what was essentially a full-time effort to counter the inevitable criticisms that came her way. In the process, they forged a new coalition—not just among Latinos, but among African-Americans, Asians, and liberal whites—that aspires to become a new political force.
Indeed, some have suggested that senators who voted against confirming Sotomayor may soon feel the coalition's fury as Latinos and their allies mobilize to turn the lawmakers out of office. But that seems unlikely. Of the anti-Sotomayor senators expected to run for reelection in 2010, virtually none come from a state with a large Hispanic population. California has a massive Latino population, but no Republican senators, and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas isn't up for reelection until 2012. Who knows what issues will be in play at that point?
"It's quite clear the Republicans made a decision that it was…important for them to try to keep their base together, even if it meant losing Latino votes," says César Perales, president of –Latino Justice PRLDEF (an organization that once counted Sotomayor as a board member). The danger for Republicans is not in the short term, or even, necessarily, for the senators who voted against Sotomayor. It is in the impression left by one action after another signaling that those who aren't already part of the base need not apply. "The message they keep sending out is that they're not really interested in supporting our communities," says Karen Narasaki, executive director of the Asian American Justice Center. And eventually, says Brent Wilkes, executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, "they're going to run out of their base to work with."
The future, of course, is unknowable. But we do know, in America, that the future will be more Latino. We also know that, even before the Sotomayor dust-up, Republicans had alienated many Latinos—largely because of concerns with Republican policies, particularly on immigration. A survey by the Pew Hispanic Center last year found 65 percent of registered Latino voters leaning toward the Democrats and only 26 percent to the Republicans; it was the largest partisan gap reported in the past 10 years. The attacks on Sotomayor will likely drive even more Latinos from the party. That's a risky strategy for a party with a demographically shrinking base facing a newly energized coalition. For though it may pay off today, it could easily spell disaster tomorrow.
Cose is a NEWSWEEK contributing editor.
Find this article at http://www.newsweek.com/id/212024
© 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Awakening Giant
El Diario/La Prensa New York
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hispanic voters are the nation’s fastest growing voting population. In a report released yesterday, the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) notes that Latino voters increased by 28.4%—from 7.6 million in 2004 to 9.8 million in 2008. The number of Asian and African American voters also dramatically increased during this same period.
The political implications of this record participation level were evident in the 2008 presidential election. For example, in six of the nine states that went from “red” to “blue” in the election, the number of Latino and Asian voters significantly exceeded Barack Obama’s margin of victory over John McCain, according to the IPC.
One of the states that went from red to blue was Florida, where migrations from the northeast and from Puerto Rico and Latin America have driven a rise in Democratic voting. What is also very worth noting is that Latinos are dispersing beyond the eastern and western seaboards. The number of Hispanic voters has dramatically increased in future potential swing states such as Georgia and Tennessee.
These growth trends reflect a broad demographic revolution. They are also a testament to the work of national Latino voter campaigns last year. But there is more to come.
The National Institute for Latino Policy pointed out in an analysis released last month that of the 19.5 million Latinos who were U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old, only 59.4 percent were registered to vote last year and only 49.9 percent actually voted.
We caught an inspiring glimpse of a stirring giant in 2008. But Latino organizations must remain focused on sustaining and increasing Latino voter participation. Then we can finally put the sleeping giant metaphor to bed.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hispanic voters are the nation’s fastest growing voting population. In a report released yesterday, the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) notes that Latino voters increased by 28.4%—from 7.6 million in 2004 to 9.8 million in 2008. The number of Asian and African American voters also dramatically increased during this same period.
The political implications of this record participation level were evident in the 2008 presidential election. For example, in six of the nine states that went from “red” to “blue” in the election, the number of Latino and Asian voters significantly exceeded Barack Obama’s margin of victory over John McCain, according to the IPC.
One of the states that went from red to blue was Florida, where migrations from the northeast and from Puerto Rico and Latin America have driven a rise in Democratic voting. What is also very worth noting is that Latinos are dispersing beyond the eastern and western seaboards. The number of Hispanic voters has dramatically increased in future potential swing states such as Georgia and Tennessee.
These growth trends reflect a broad demographic revolution. They are also a testament to the work of national Latino voter campaigns last year. But there is more to come.
The National Institute for Latino Policy pointed out in an analysis released last month that of the 19.5 million Latinos who were U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old, only 59.4 percent were registered to vote last year and only 49.9 percent actually voted.
We caught an inspiring glimpse of a stirring giant in 2008. But Latino organizations must remain focused on sustaining and increasing Latino voter participation. Then we can finally put the sleeping giant metaphor to bed.
Rise to a Higher Standard
El Diario/La Prensa
New York Monday, August 17, 2009
As the confetti settles around the appointment of now Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Latinos should take a look at how the leadership and mobilization bar has been raised in our community.
The Sotomayor appointment was not merely an individual success—it was a political achievement. Latinos pushed this deserved appointment. We closed ranks around Sotomayor’s nomination. National and local leaders brilliantly advocated for her and mounted sharp campaigns against vicious attacks.
We were excited about the caliber of Sotomayor, the prospect of a Latina serving on the nation’s highest court and the model that she, and the organizing behind her, provide.
We have seen what we as a community have the power to accomplish. This is our point of comparison—which is why the state of affairs among local elected officials leaves so much to be desired.
In New York, and on the other side of the Hudson as well, too many of our elected leaders have acted like unwise Latinos. Scandals and corruption are certainly not exclusive to our community. But that is little consolation to districts that are in urgent need of principled and aggressive representatives.
To be fair, there are a number of elected officials who put the well-being of the communities they represent first. They deserve more of our attention. But they should not be waging lonely and individual fights.
It is high time to put this house in order. Here are some of the urgent steps that need to be taken:
--We need a convener. One of our senior Latino elected leaders should call New York colleagues into a private session with the aim of building a strategic agenda based on community needs.
--We need a cohesive effort by community leaders and grassroots organizations to monitor and tug the collars of elected representatives. They must also work with politicians to move policies forward.
--The family dynasties clogging the leadership pipeline must end. And those dissatisfied with these political monopolies must not remain passive—challengers must step up to plate.
Elected leaders who cannot provide the quality representation our community needs must move aside or be shown the way out.
New York Monday, August 17, 2009
As the confetti settles around the appointment of now Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Latinos should take a look at how the leadership and mobilization bar has been raised in our community.
The Sotomayor appointment was not merely an individual success—it was a political achievement. Latinos pushed this deserved appointment. We closed ranks around Sotomayor’s nomination. National and local leaders brilliantly advocated for her and mounted sharp campaigns against vicious attacks.
We were excited about the caliber of Sotomayor, the prospect of a Latina serving on the nation’s highest court and the model that she, and the organizing behind her, provide.
We have seen what we as a community have the power to accomplish. This is our point of comparison—which is why the state of affairs among local elected officials leaves so much to be desired.
In New York, and on the other side of the Hudson as well, too many of our elected leaders have acted like unwise Latinos. Scandals and corruption are certainly not exclusive to our community. But that is little consolation to districts that are in urgent need of principled and aggressive representatives.
To be fair, there are a number of elected officials who put the well-being of the communities they represent first. They deserve more of our attention. But they should not be waging lonely and individual fights.
It is high time to put this house in order. Here are some of the urgent steps that need to be taken:
--We need a convener. One of our senior Latino elected leaders should call New York colleagues into a private session with the aim of building a strategic agenda based on community needs.
--We need a cohesive effort by community leaders and grassroots organizations to monitor and tug the collars of elected representatives. They must also work with politicians to move policies forward.
--The family dynasties clogging the leadership pipeline must end. And those dissatisfied with these political monopolies must not remain passive—challengers must step up to plate.
Elected leaders who cannot provide the quality representation our community needs must move aside or be shown the way out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)