09.03.08
What is the Deal with the Hispanic Vote?
Cowboy Troy, the black country/rap vocalist, is voting for John McCain. That’s OK, since he’s not really black anyway. But I just wanted to pose a simple question…What’s the deal with a big chunk of the Hispanic vote going to the Republican Party? I’ve been trying to understand what it is about the Republican platform that sends a good portion of their vote to the dark side (The irony…and the bias). Anybody have any feedback on this? Last I checked the Hispanics and Blacks had similar plights in the US. Am I missing something? Offensive responses will not be posted. I’m genuinely curious.
prometheustherebel said,
September 3, 2008 at 2:28 pm
As I belong to both groups maybe I can shed a little light. You’re absolutely right that most African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos face similiar oppression and prejudice and racism in this country. Ironically (and of course there’s no way to discuss this without generalizing) many Hispanic/Latino voters are very religious and traditional. Now, I know what you’re thinking…typically African Americans are as well. I think, and this is part speculation/experience, is that many Hispanic/Latinos identify very strongly with the Republicans/Conservatives stance on many social justice issues such as abortion and same sex relationships. With the exception of immigration reform (and some Latinos agree with the conservative stance on this too..?), I think many Latinos really subscribe to those conversative ideals of the Republican party. Also, I’m not really aware of a Hispanic/Latino figure that has really been involved in liberal politics on the “big stage,” whereas African Americans have seen many figures of the Black community speak out about “acceptance of differences” more generally than just focusing on race, per se. That being said, I hope that we see Gov. Bill Richardson on the larger stage again.
Also, I think you’d be hard pressed to find immigrant parents who really like or have had positive relationships with “Black” people. In my experience, they have been privy to the same criminalization of Blacks as we have in the United States while in their home countries. Ironically, I have also known many Puerto Ricans who feel Mexicans are somewhat lower on the social totem pole.
With all that being said, I have to admit, I really don’t get it either…
slimjackson said,
September 3, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t have thought of all that. Immigration reform did come to mind, but I figured I might get a bottle thrown at me if I mentioned it.
Jaclynn said,
September 3, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Whew tough question. I think overall it’s immigration and jobs. I mean I heard a black woman on CSPAN make the comment that if McCain is elected then her job would be secure and then she could afford the $5 gas. Well…alright then. I think some of it is people just thinking that McCain will tank stuff enough a certain few elite (like my Mom) will be covered.
Again, we’re all just one day away from joblessness and homelessness.
slimjackson said,
September 3, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I hope you’re not referring to that same black woman that who broke it down into ebonics on national tv.lol. But yeah, I’ve been noticing the demographics and target audience of the repubs. I’m noticing a lot of old traditionalists and people who are in a relatively high income tax bracket. I’m trying to keep an open mind though.
Jaclynn said,
September 3, 2008 at 8:00 pm
@Slim-Again, I agree. I think it’s people like that who might just destroy it but again those same traditionalist might not appreciate this whole Bristol Palin 17 and pregnant lifetime movie which is playing out on CNN. Are you watching Mrs. Cleaver I mean Palin do her speech tonight?
InsomniaPoet said,
September 4, 2008 at 11:08 am
I think it has a lot to do with social issues. My latino grandmother doesn’t care about immigration because she is “legal” but as a Catholic has very strong views about abortion, same sex marriages, and social programs. She is suprisingly ANTI-universal health care and seems to share the Republican “I worked hard and got what I needed so pull yourself up by your own boot-straps” mentality.
Also, I think a big think with the African American vote is that many were raised to never be Republican. So regardless of the Republican’s position they will not even consider voting for a Republican candidate. In my opinion I think this is silly because no one has to work for our votes, because the Democrats assume they have the black vote, Obama or not, but that’s a whole other blog.
slimjackson said,
September 4, 2008 at 11:20 am
Good Point. I was raised to just like the Democrats. Voting Republican has never been an option. More recently, I’ve been paying attention to the issues and convention. I think both Prez candidates have some pretty big weaknesses, but watching the elephant convention this week….I just can’t rock wit them.
Afrikyn said,
September 7, 2008 at 6:58 am
Latino is a very broad term that encompasses a large group of people. I am guilty of filling my gestault of latinos with the dominican and puerto rican people from nyc that I went to college with. One trip to miami should remind you that there is another very large group of rich, sometimes prejudiced against other people of color, group of people who could easily pass for white that also make up the latino vote. If you notice when people talk about campaigning for the latino vote they focus on places like florida wher the latin population is cuban (think elian gonzales) not places like nyc where the large latino population are the latinos that typically more closely identify with “black issues.”