I am a mixed mexican/white male who has just moved to Washington DC from Los Angeles. My mother is a chicana who comes from, in my opinion, a very strong and proud family. My great-grandfather, Raphael Chiuhuahua Rios, was the first lieutenant of Pancho Villa. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. A mexican Robin Hood, if you will. My mother speaks fondly of memories of him when she was a child.
Today I am 37 years old. I have had many jobs: consultant, writer, small business owner, insurance adjuster to name a few. I have lived in many places including my native California, Utah, Arizona, and now metro Washington DC. In spending time with my family, it has become increasingly alarming to me that many of my cousins are in prison, running with gangs or are somehow just barely making it. I do have relatives too that have have advanced degrees from such wonderful places such as Yale. What concerns me more, though, is that by and large, the chicano/latino population in the US is vastly under-represented in all areas such as media, television, film, music and government. At the same time, the chicano/latino population is growing tremendously. Why is it, then, that we have become so apathetic as to allow ourselves to be relegated to second class citizens? Come on, brothers and sisters, lets join together and make our voices hears. I truly believe that we can sway this election and others around the country. Lets vote for the politicans that not only tell us they care but SHOW us they care. How can we stand by and let our people die in the desert like animals? ...or worse...arrested and treated like animals?
I read yesterday that the Dept of Homeland Security has granted "new" powers to the Border Patrol to deport our brothers and sisters seeking a better life back to Mexico without so much as a hearing. Now, I may be crazy, but didn't the white men come to OUR land and simply massacre millions of us throughout the continent and then claim our land? Something has to be done. Now.