Open Letter to the Republican Party

I originally wrote this article n 2015. It's a bit long, but the feelings expressed have been long in coming. Please be patient and read the whole thing before commenting. Thanks.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Our numbers are growing. In years to come, we will be a greater part of shaping the southwest of the United States, as well as having a huge impact on the rest of the country. We are here to stay, and we are not leaving. Including having more children, compared to other people in the United States, and the influx of Latinos from South American countries (especially Mexico), we are growing at a rate higher than every other racial group in this country. The scariest part, to you at least, is that we are learning how to impact the political process. We want to give ourselves the best advantage for “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Those of us born in the United States, the Chicano (or whatever we call ourselves), are much more conscious of who we are and the possible opportunities that exist. We are better prepared than our parents, and more willing to exercise the knowledge we have obtained. We vote, we vote, we vote, and we vote. We are aware our numbers are growing (Latino voters, that is), and we know we have not yet reached the tipping point. On the other hand, we know we are quickly getting there.

The Democratic Party has learned to use the Latino. They have honed their skills at deception and misdirection. They are painfully aware of the probable results if we were to side with the Republican Party. The problem with them (the Democrats) is that they have allowed themselves to be railroaded by the Left. These Liberals have so manipulated the Democrats, that they have diluted the once inspiring political party to one of obvious selfish motivations.

Democrats are devious, but Republicans are clueless. Republicans have a platform that should be acceptable to all peoples, but they are so easily distracted by the Liberals into fighting over the “wrong” issues, those that tend to make them look anti-Latino instead of pro-USA.

My hope, with this writing, is to get the Republican Party to wake up and take control of the issues, especially those which relate to the Latino in the US. The Left has shown that it does not care about us for anything more than votes, maybe the right will more fairly consider us. Who knows?

Here is a message to the Republican Party. We are not your enemy! As a matter of fact, we would greatly love to be a real and practical part of your party. In general, as a people we just want to live out our lives doing those things we feel called for, and have jobs where we can earn the pay to do those things. In general, Latinos don’t want handouts, we would rather work for what we get. We are driven by the idea of finding work, purchasing homes, living well, and contributing to this country, as any other person would be reasonably expected to do. But, we recognize the obstacle before us. The Democrats take advantage of that to deceive us, and you come out looking like you have no clue at all what to do with us. The problem is that you seem not to recognize this. Let me explain.

The Democratic Platform includes this interesting sentence: “We are the party of inclusion and respect differences of perspective and belief.” We Latinos are learning better and quicker how to understand Liberalese (the new language of the Democrats), we are starting to understand their rhetoric for what it truly is. We know that when they say “inclusion,” they really mean “those who agree with us.” We know that when they say “respect,” they mean “we will attack you, your family and anything about you, if you openly disagree with us.” And, we know that when they say, “respect differences of perspective and belief,” they are really saying, “we will only respect the views of those whose views line up with ours.”

They have somehow convinced you that we Latinos are automatically Democrats. This is not the truth, actually it is an outright lie. We will give our support to the party that truly works on the issues and concerns we have as a people. We would just as easily, and openly (as in the 2014 elections) vote against the Democrats, if we believe that they are not keeping their word to us. We are not anti-Republican, nor are we pro-Democrat, we are pro a chance to work, live freely, and be a beneficial part of the country in which we live. If you actually took the time and got to know us, you would find, as the Liberals of the Democratic Party already know, that we a very patriotic people. Yes, I admit that when it comes to Mexicanos, they tend to be more patriotic toward Mexico, but how is that different from Italian-Americans, Scottish-Americans, and all the other dash-Americans, feeling a pride for the country of their ancestors? The Mexicans who celebrate their Mexican patriotism are no more wanting to turn the US into another Mexico than Russian-Americans, when they celebrate some Russian holiday or event of cultural importance.

No, Republicans, we do not want to change America into our own version of Mexico or any other Latin-American country. Keep in mind that we left those countries willingly. We want to be proud to live here, work here, die here, and still be happy about the country of our ancestors. But, the more you allow the Liberal faction of the Democratic Party to manipulate you (and they are doing that), to make you look anti-Latino, the less effective you will continue to be in relation to us. We are not your enemy, the Liberals are!

Latinos are, for the most part, conservatives. Our cultures are strongly pro-family. We prefer working for what we get, and tend to look down on offers of welfare and social programs. We are a proud people, we would rather work than have someone give us hand-me-downs, or put us on some welfare or benefits-type program. The main reason that Latinos do not outnumber those persons who are on the dole from programs within the United States, is not because we don’t have the numbers. We outnumber Blacks, and other people of color, in many cities country-wide. The reason is that we would rather work. Isn’t that the same as with Republicans? We want to pay our taxes? Isn’t that the same as with Republicans? We want a society that is more conservative, and less liberal. Isn’t that the same as with Republicans? And, because too many Latinos came from countries with oppressive and/or weak governments (where they did not feel safe), they want less government control and imposition on the average person. Isn’t that the same as with Republicans?

Think carefully of the tactic of the Democratic Left. The reason they have been more successful with the Latino population in the United States, is that they use language that is clouded and shrouded in “nice and helpful” big-government terminology. They are willing to say or promise anything, or at least sound like they are promising or agreeing with something we want, just so they can get our votes.

In reality, Latinos are more Republicanish, than Democraticish. The problem is that you are so manipulated by the Left as to appear anti-Latino, and therefore scare off many possible partners within the Latino population. They use your own propensities and fears against you; they get you to react, instead of respond. Instead of being seen as those who are in control of what you want to propose as solutions, you tend to look as those who are weak and grasping at straws to try to push an agenda that seems selfish. Many Latinos in the US came from countries with weak-kneed governments that left their people feeling more unsure and insecure. If the Democrats can continue to successfully manipulate your image to us, you will always be portrayed similarly. This will cause Latinos to react to you in the same way as they did with those weak and/or oppressive governments. The Left-wing Liberals are running the Republican Party media campaign by proxy. That proxy being the way they get you to focus on what they tell you is your stance on anything.

You have two real and immediate options: (1) keep reacting to the Liberal agenda and how they portray you before the Latino public, or, (2) ignore the Left’s accusations and assertions, and instead take a strong initiative in involving the day-to-day, average Chicano, Mexicano, and other Latinos in helping you form a strategic push which will show us that you are not only pro-American, but actively willing to make sure the Latino will be a real part of that process.

You may ask how. The answer: by holding meetings with the average Latino, not only with those with political agendas and aspirations of being elected to an office. Listen to their concerns and suggestions on how to deal with those issues closest to their hearts, and most pressing on their minds. Develop means which will allow those people, and that community, the ability to affect some of the decisions of the Party itself. Finally, make every effort to pass some of these ideas on into law. I will include more in a later chapter.

The Democrats have learned how to fool people with their patronizing rhetoric full of the promises of what they intend to carry out. All along they know that they will not be able to succeed, so they plan ahead on how they will blame it on the Republicans. The Leftist Liberals have no real intention of actually passing laws which would be along the lines of what the average Latino feels are necessary. They just want to look like they are trying, so that they can continue to deceive the Latino into voting for them. The problem is that up until now, the tricks have worked. The other side of this is that we are waking up to their schemes, and more of us are beginning (unfortunately) not actually voting for the Republican Party, but (fortunately) against the Democratic Left.

Do not be fooled, Republicans, we are still not voting for you, as such. We just don’t have a third viable option. We learned from the Raza Unida Party debacle that third parties in the United States do not do well. We do not want to continually vote for others, be they Black or White, Republican or Democrat, and have no real and lasting beneficial results (election after election). Voting, as such, for the Latino voting population in the United States, has been much like someone cutting wind in public. The person feels better because he gets the feeling of relief, but the stink that follows is the same one from every other time in the past. For too many Latinos, the results seem to always be the same. We vote for someone who promises to make us feel better, but all we get is the stink afterwards, and no real results.

Latinos are the red-headed, unloved, step-child in the United States. We know that even though a half-black man was elected as President, the real chances that a Latino will win as President is about as possible as Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi admitting she really did know Jonathan Gruber, or Obama not blaming George Bush for everything that went wrong. Even though many Latinos have been elected to some public office (from both parties), in general, we have no doubt that things will continue to be the same for us. Why, well because we are not the white majority, and because we are not black, as such. Too many politicians within those two racial groups tend to look out for their own, with only some sideways positive remarks about the Latino. They make no real and obvious effort to push the Latino concerns as strongly as the ones from their own racial groups. And, you know what? We don’t really care, because we have come to expect that. But, we may decide to start doing something about it on our own, we may decide to exercise our political muscle, and all of you may end up not on the winning side. Remember, as comedian George Lopez said (and I paraphrase), “We don’t have to overthrow the government, we will just have more and more babies, while the millions of our people keep on coming across the border.” Soon, both the Democratic Party, as well as the Republicans may become irrelevant to us.

On the other hand, Republicans, there is still a real chance of “winning our hearts,” as it were. When it comes to Mexicanos and Chicanos, the vastly large number of Latinos in the US, we are open to possibilities with the Republican Party. We are no more anti-white, than we are anti-black. Neither of you have proven to be a better friend than the other.

  A WORD TO THE DEMOCRATIC LEFT

Here is a message to the Democratic Party: Latinos are a family-oriented people. We love family, we love home, and we love our culture. We find it highly offensive, insulting and patronizing when you compare us to the homosexual agenda and imply that we and they are somehow allies. We are a proud people. Yes, there are Latino homosexuals, just as there are those from all other races, but the homosexual issues and problems are not comparable to being Latino. We resent the implication. Theirs is a sexual issue. Ours is an issue of race, culture and language. We are a private people when it comes to our sexuality. The more you compare us and try to force us together, the more we will fight you on this. If you disagree, then try this, ask any Latino, who is not already a homosexual, if being Latino is equal to being homosexual. Don’t fool yourselves, Democrats, it is the Latino population, the Spanish-speaking people, the Mexican-Americans, the Chicanos, who are growing in great numbers in the US, not the homosexuals. We are neither for or against the homosexuals, they are relatively unimportant to us as a people, in general. We see it more as an issue among the white people in the United States.

Secondly, we know you hate God. Even just the idea of God. And, yes, we hear when you include God in your rhetoric regarding the Latino. We know that it is just you using the term as some sort of soothing ointment to patronize and fool us into believing that you really care about God at all. But your defense of abortion is an irreverence and assault against the religion of the majority of Latinos; Catholicism. Even those of us who are not Catholic (I am not), still consider the killing of unborn children as murder. To the majority of Latinos, especially to those I know better: Mexicanos and Chicanos, killing unborn babies is murder. Your implications that we somehow agree with this type of murder is offensive. We say “no” to you. Killing unborn babies is murder. If you continue to promote this, then you will lose more of us each year.

BACK TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY:

Latinos are desperately seeking real and true representation in these United States. Those of us born here (I am a third generation US citizen), have deep roots in the culture of these United States. We speak English as a first language, accept our American heritage, and proudly hold our hands to our hearts as we pledge allegiance to the flag of this greatest of countries. We are becoming more and more aware of the lies perpetuated by the other party to manipulate us, but at the same time, we are painfully conscious of your lack of awareness of who we are and what we represent. We are not going away. Look, either find the way to become a partner with us, or just accept that the fastest growing, voting block, will end up in the Democratic field, to be used by Leftists who are trying to reshape this country.

We, Latinos, are not against protecting the borders of the United States. Keep in mind one of the reasons many Mexicanos have crossed the border; that of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Mexicanos are not only coming to the United States, they are leaving Mexico. Besides the terrible economy of that country, the safety and security issues are quickly and continually growing. Cartels and gangs are a real and present danger. Living in Mexico is dangerous to someone’s health. In the minds of the people who cross the border is the idea, the belief, and the hope that they can live freely and prosper as they work for a living. They, and we US born Chicanos, understand the danger that Mexico represents to the United States. The criminal fringe of that society uses the US-Mexico border to transport their drugs and other criminal merchandise across and into the US. They send their members to start gangs and commit crimes against US citizens. Latinos understand that if the border is not secured that the US can become like Mexico, dangerous.

Let me give an example. The enormous protests by Latinos in 2006 should have been a clear signal to you, but you didn’t see the forest because of the trees. We were not out there protesting against border security. The protests were a result of the idea that we believed you, Republicans, were attacking us solely because of our racial makeup. Just the idea that you would try to turn many of our people into criminals just because they want to work, looks very much like the tyranny of many South American governments. Don’t you understand that if someone can pass laws against you for just being part of a certain race only means that they can possibly use those laws, and create more, to do much more damage against you? Isn’t that what the Nazi’s did? It makes you seem afraid of us just because our skin color and language is different. Is that what you are trying to get across to us? This does not make sense.

Why don’t you, instead, propose laws that will allow people to continue entering the United States (as has been happening for our whole history), so that we can see that you are more concerned with security, and not about more “Mexicans” entering the United States. We are here, and we are not leaving, especially those of us who were born here. We will either become your partners in the search for a safe border that allows workers into the US, or you will make us enemies with your fear. The Democratic Left, the socialists, and the haters of the US, hope you will continue on the path you are following; their path for you.

You, Republicans, are so easily distracted by the Left-wing Liberals who control the Democratic Party, and are, again, easily made to look like haters of Latinos. Can’t you recognize that we really want basically the same thing as you? I don’t mean those Latinos who have drunk the cool-aid and are sold-out Liberals, I mean the average Latino, the person on the street without a political agenda, those of us who want nothing more than to live well in these United States. The Leftists accuse you of hating us, but we don’t really see the hatred as they would want, we mostly see fear. Instead of working together with us at finding the answers which will work for everyone, you are drawn into defensive positions trying not to look anti-Latino. You say the right things, but in the wrong way.

I never even considered voting Republican when I was younger. Even now I wish there was another option which would truly consider La Raza in its process and produce real results. You, Republicans, sound like it, but you are more afraid of us, and less willing to merge us into the process fully. We don’t want your jobs. Maybe the politicos among us do, but we don’t. Keep in mind, that our marches and demonstrations were not about taking power from you, or wanting to change the general makeup of the United States. We want to be included, and not singled out just because of our race. We don’t want special privileges or benefits just because we are brown.

We do not believe that we should get any more advantages than anyone else, but we surely know that we do not want to be left out either. We are not even saying that you should open the borders and let every Tom, Dick, and Pancho, run wildly across, and enter the country. But, you have to admit that we are not the same as every other people in this world. Mexico has a long, long, long, border with the US. That country has all kinds of maladies. Danger lurks everywhere. Gangs and Drug cartels prey on the people and, since they are not allowed to be armed, they have no way to protect or defend themselves. The Republican Party can look like the party of the people, willing to partner with Mexicanos and Chicanos, to help them live safely and prosperously, while encouraging them to assimilate and be a force for good, politically.

 A note to the liberals controlling the Democratic party:

You are not fooling us. While I have to admit that there is a small fringe of Latinos who have drunk the cool-aid, the majority of us do not believe you. Yes, we have hoped you were telling the truth, in the past. Yes, we thought that maybe you might mean some of the things you misrepresented. Your claims of caring for the “Hispanic,” “Mexicano,” “Latino,” “Spanish-speaking,” or whatever we call ourselves, are becoming less and less effective. Even if you send your lackey “Hispanic Community Leaders” and those Latinos who you have found a way to get elected to office as Democrats, we are better able to recognize the same rhetoric, and the same agenda in them.

Those of us regular Mexicanos, Chicanos, etc., we laugh at you when we speak of you. Since we have no political aspirations, we don’t have to impress you or anyone else. We have sided with the Democrats for a long, long, time. We cried when John F. Kennedy died, as much as anyone else did. We cried when Bobby died, as much as anyone else. We cried when Martin Luther King, Jr. died, as much as anyone else. But we would not cry much at all today if one of your elected people dies. You are not as important to us as before. We have listened to your lies, over and over, for too many years. Every time that the Democratic Party has had control of the congress, you have failed to live up to your promises. And, when you have lost control again, you resume blaming the other party, while you start with the same promises all over again. Do you think we are stupid? Oh, excuse me, you do, don’t you? The Republicans are clueless, but you are liars.

As Latinos, we cheered when America elected an African-American as the President of the United States. I voted for the other guy, but Latinos in large numbers voted for Obama. We (me included) wondered if maybe this would represent a change in the mindset of the political arena in the United States. We wondered if maybe “people of color” also included the brown-skinned person. We held our collective breathes … then we saw disappointment again. After six horrible years of a whining, crying, President (who still blames George Bush for everything that happens), we see that there has been no progress concerning us.

Democrats howl about their concern for the Latino, while at the same time disregard our concern that the border must be secured. We don’t want the criminal element of Mexico to sneak in with those who want to come and work and live free from fear. No, Democrats, we are not the stupid ones, you are. You have so convoluted your minds that you either cannot or will not see the concerns that we really have. Your fight against border security is a dangerous concept to us. We want people from Mexico, as well as anywhere else, to have the opportunity to enter the US for beneficial purposes, to them as well as for the rest of us. Securing the border, to us at least, does not mean to stop people from entering the US, it means stopping criminals from entering. Liberals are the cancer of the United States. They will promise anything, knowing that they cannot fulfill their word, to gain the person’s vote; just to turn around and ignore those same people and instead push their own (Leftist) personal agenda.

I voted Democrat for many years. Like too many others, I did not even consider the platform. I didn’t pay attention to what you were espousing. I had only one agenda, that of bettering the Chicano circumstances. If one of you even hinted that you might maybe do something that even remotely looked helpful to La Raza (the people, used in reference to the indigenous Spanish-speaking Latinos), I voted for that person. Of course it was always the Democrats. They made the most promises, and those promises promised something better for La Raza. With time, though, I started asking myself questions. Questions about actual results. Questions about how we were really being benefited by these people who got elected. I saw the advantages for them. They were able to get a taste of the promise. In return, they convinced us to re-elect them, so that they could continue to experience the taste. I just had trouble seeing how, if in any way, La Raza was benefiting.

Democrats are stupid. Yes, I said stupid. At least that is what Gruber said about them. When he was quoted as saying the voting public was so stupid that all they had to do was use the right words in the laws they wanted to pass (my paraphrase of his meaning), he was speaking the truth. So, who was it who was stupid enough to believe the lies? Democrats, that’s who. And you know what? They didn’t even come out and defend themselves. They just accepted the conclusion and stupidly waited for the next thing they would get deceived into voting for. Democrats don’t care what the law is, or what’s included into the language. As long as party leaders tell them that the law is the right one, they will blindly vote for it. The word lemmings comes to mind.

On the other hand, the Democratic Left is not stupid. They are very much in control of their faculties. They have an agenda, and they will allow nothing to interfere with that agenda. These Leftists do not care about the Democratic Party, it is just a tool, a means, just something to use to meet their undisclosed goals. They don’t care about party members, Gruber’s statements are just a small proof of this. They knew that they were not going to fool Republicans, and those on the Right. These people already have their own agendas and goals which are contrary to the Left. The goal of the Left is to get Democrats and possibly (and obviously successfully) middle-of-the-roaders to vote their way. I say “obviously successful” because of the success they had in pushing Obamacare through. Were the Republicans fooled into voting for it, no. Was the Right fooled into voting for it, no. Did they expect the Right and Republicans to vote for it, no. So who were the “stupid” people that they were depending on to be foolish enough to vote for it?

As a Latino, I pay attention to the Left and to Conservatives, through brown eyes. By this I mean, how the “important” people involved impact us as a racial group. I am not blinded by the glitter of stardom, the pompousness of political office, the diatribes of one side over the other, or how in love someone is with themselves. I am especially cautious of those who are not Latino, espousing with great empathetic eagerness their “love” of Latinos, or how many Mexican friends they have.

As a people, Latinos admired the Democratic Party of John F. Kennedy, but this was mostly because we liked him. As well, I have to admit that the core of who makes up the Democrat Party today is far different from who made it up then.

There is a story, I don’t know how true, about Ghandi. It is said he made a couple of statements, “I’d be a Christian if it were not for the Christians!” Another time regarding the same issue, he allegedly said, “”I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” When I think about the Democratic Party, I feel the same as Ghandi. If it were not for your members, I might be part of your Party. Why do I say this?

Who are the “Christians” (as it were) of the Democratic Left? Who are the proponents? Who are the evangelists? George Clooney? Sean Penn? Michael Moore? Danny Glover? Barbara Streisand? Jane Fonda? Alec Baldwin? Tina Fey? And, what about the politicians? Who are the Preachers? Barack Obama? Nancy Pelosi? Harry Reid? Hilary Clinton? Yes, these are the faces of the Left, along with many others who are not named on this list.

Democrats, hear this! If these people represent you, I do not want to be like you. Latinos are waking up. We are beginning to recognize who it is that calls themselves our “friends.” We are not fooled by the color of the person’s skin. We know that you want something from us. The problem is that you have failed on your part of the equation. You have not kept your word. You have lied!

I am Chicano! Proud of my Mexican heritage and honored to have been born in the greatest state of the union, Texas. Even though I was born here, and my native language is English. I took the time and made the effort to learn Spanish. I enjoy Cinco de Mayo, as someone who belongs to the culture, while holding my head high when I celebrate the Fourth of July. I recognize the founders of the United States as my “forefathers.” At the same time, I have studied Mexican history. Funny thing, I have found that some Mexican immigrants, I have come to know, knew less about their history than I.

I am familiar with US history. My favorite class in college. I learned about the relationship between the US and the Native American population. Why? Because I am a “native American” as well. My ancestors lived in the “Americas” long before the United States appeared on the scene. I am no less a “native” of the Americas than any other “native.” My Mestizo background, my Mexican cultural ties, and my US Heritage intertwine to produce important parts of my character: ethnocentrism, nationalism, pride, and a real patriotism for my country, the United States of America.

I am ethnocentric, because as a Chicano I see the world through brown eyes. How does that quality affect me and us? I recognize racism and bigotry, especially when they are aimed at me and us. I care about other people of different races, but I am especially conscious of how I and we are treated and regarded. I am conscious that even among Latinos we are aware of our differences. Chicano, Mexicano, Cubano, Borinqueño (Puerto Rican, for you who are knowledge “deficient”), or whatever we call ourselves, we understand the differences between ourselves. We are not just one group. We are many groups within the one label: Latinos.

I am ethnocentric, because I am conscious of the Chicano before I am conscious of the other Latinos. Why? Because I am Chicano. I am NOT a Hispanic (which only means any human being who can speak Spanish, which I do). I am NOT Mexican (that is a right which belongs to those people who were born in that country). I am NOT a Mexican-American (again, I was not born there). I am Chicano! The United States is my country. English is my language.

I am nationalistic. I believe that the United States has to provide for its own first. I believe that we must provide for our children, before the children of other countries. I believe that we must fix our schools and develop means of providing employment for US citizens, before we worry about people from other countries. I believe that we must provide for the protection of this country proper, before we concern ourselves with the security of other countries. The United States is the greatest country in the world. The idea of who we are, what we are, what we have to offer, is so powerful that people from throughout the world work hard at coming here.

I do not see the influx of Mexicans as a bad thing for the US. No, not because I am culturally tied to them, but because I see the benefit to this country. At the same time I want the border secured. I don’t want criminals and terrorists being able to use that avenue to bring danger and harm to US citizens. I believe that it is in our national interest to set up a well-structured means of immigration for Latinos, especially Mexicanos. I sincerely believe that we have the intelligence to develop a quicker and more efficient way for receiving and processing applications from Mexicans. We either find that means, or continue to give Liberals and socialists the ammunition they need to keep attacking the values we hold dear.

I believe that Liberals and socialists are the bigger threat to the US. I am not foolish enough to believe that they care about me. All they want is my vote for them. They don’t have the answers any better than those who presently hold power in the United States. But, there is one difference, at least in my mind. The US Right may often react from fear, but the Left act from deceit. They want to control the direction of the United States. Do you really (!?) believe that if the Left were to take control of these United States, that they would want Mexicanos to continue flowing in across the border? Hell, no! Why, because Mexicanos are predominantly not Leftist. We would become a danger to them. We would eventually out-number them and endanger their hold over the political power in the US. All of their “care” for us is only a ploy. That very point makes them dangerous to the US, and also to Latinos in general, and especially to Mexicanos and Chicanos. That’s why I am also a nationalist.

I am proud. Why? Look at me. I am Chicano. I can speak two languages (and am working on my French, as well), I can relate to two wonderful cultures. I am special; I am not Mexican, and at the same time, not white (Anglo-Saxon). I am Mestizo (of Spanish and Native-American blood). I am Latino; I belong to a group which spans the American continents. Accept for the Chinese (which are 1 in every five people in the world), we are the fastest growing population on earth, at least as regard to the rate of growth.

I can think in two distinct languages. I can see the point of view of the white citizen of the US, while never losing sight of the perspective of the brown person. The duality in concepts does not hinder me, it illuminates me and helps me to consider varying and contrary points of view alike. I have been a victim of racism and bigotry in my sixty-two years of life, and at the same time, I became stronger in spite of those things. Who did I experience these awful treatments from? From whites and blacks.

I am proud of the fact that I can interact with people of different shades of skin color and not permit myself the insensitivity of allowing their skin color to affect my perception of them. By the way, I do not believe that there is something wrong with white people being white.

I am Patriotic. Just like Mexicanos are patriotic to their birth nation, so am I. I love the United States. I love it in spite of all its failings (and there are a bunch). I am proud to be a US citizen. There is no white, black, Asian, Native American, or whatever, that is more proud of being a citizen of this great country than I am (that’s my opinion and I am going to stick to it). I am aware of all the millions of people from around this globe we call the earth, who want to immigrate to the US. I also don’t doubt that there must have been some people, tiny as the number must be, who have decided to emigrate from the US. Thank God they were free to make that decision.

I relate better to George Washington than I do to Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of Mexico. I understand the founding father’s general intent for the creation of these United States. They were definitely not Chicano. In fact, Chicanos did not even exist at the time. They were definitely not looking out for the Latino interest. Their motivations were self-serving. The result, though, is what makes the difference. As Bono said in his speech at Georgetown, “America is an idea.” It is what came out of whatever selfish motives the founders may have had, that is the reality that we have now. It is that which I am proud of. But, America has grown beyond just being an idea. As a post, which I read on the internet by Howard Nelson, on the 3rd of July 2014, said, “America is more than an idea, it is the expression of, the reality of, what the idea implies, condensed into words. The idea is analogous to the spirit that gives passion and motive to man. It is the people living it.” I am proud of that. I am a patriot.

Chicano, Chicanismo, La Onda Chicana. ¿Quien somos? Being Brown in the United States has its advantages and detriments. Both Whites and Blacks don’t understand us. We confuse them. It is easier just to lump all Latinos into one big pile and call us Mexicans. If you want to understand us, and actually convince us that you understand, you have to get to know our differences. From our point of view, it is racist to call us Mexicans, when we are not Mexican. It is racist to decide that we all speak Spanish, some of us do not. Whether you are white or black, I interpret your ignorance and disregard of the difference between my being Chicano, and people who come from Guatamala, as racism. I cannot think of any black person who would lightly ignore someone lumping all persons of dark skin as being all alike. They would see it as racism, just as I do.

A FINAL WORD TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND THOSE TO THE RIGHT

We are waiting. We will wait a bit longer. But we will not wait forever. If you will not make a real effort to demonstrate a true concern for the Latino population, you will be the losers. If, on the other hand, you choose to move forward and follow a Republican agenda, which will be inclusive of brown people, then you must hurry. Open your perspectives to how a Republican Party which includes the brown race into itself, as a partner, can look like. It is not just about getting Latinos to run for office and spout the Republican Party rhetoric. It is not about getting Latinos to wear Republican Party buttons and attend party events. It is not about getting Latinos to become like “whites.” It is not about getting Latinos to hang with you and be your “friends.” And, probably most important, it is time you stop lumping us all into one big pile and seeing us through some tunnel-vision.

It is the Mexican, and the Chicano, who are growing in large numbers. We are those which you must find a way to incorporate into the party, the Left already know this. You must take real measures to demonstrate that you are not afraid of us, but instead welcome us into the embrace of the Republican Party. Do not think of us as “aliens” illegal or not, our children will end up voting Republican or Democrat, and we can influence their decisions. Hurry up and pass laws that prove you include Mexicans and Chicanos in the American family of the United States. Let Obama veto them. We will see the President’s “colors,” and those of the Left. Stop reacting to the Left’s accusations that you hate us, and that you are racists and bigots against brown people. Instead make real inroads by holding meetings in the community and encouraging Mexicanos and Chicanos (as well as other Latinos) to participate in the process. Show us how you will take real steps to demonstrate a concern for us, while allowing us to be part of the process. If we are involved, you do not have to try to convince us that you are doing anything, we will be there to see it happen. Find the way to make us a real partner in the Republican Party, and you will win our votes as well.

Well, Republicans, the ball is in your court now, what are you going to do with it?