POLITICS - Racial Politics

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:27 am

As the race between Hillary and Obama appears to be neck and neck, many of the political commentators are raising the question why the Latinos are going for Hillary and not for Obama. They seem to think that because the two minorities have similiar issues , the Latinos should support Obama. They can't seem to figure this out.

Well. as someone well versed in Texas Latino culture, let me break the code. Taken as a whole (there are always exceptions), taken as a whole the Latinos hold more racial animas toward the blacks, than the whites.

Put another way, the Latinos are more racist than the whites.

With a race this close, that just might tip the scales. It will show up in the general election if the race is Obama/McCain. The Latinos won't vote for either a black man or a Republican, so they will just stay home.

I don't mean to ruffle any feathers, but just wanted to make this observation.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:58 am

I think your right. I dont live anywhere near Mexico but I do spend alot of time with folks from Latin America. I tend to refer to them all as Mexicans when I talk about them as a group but theyre really a cross section of South American people. Mostly from El salvador, Honduras & Guatemala but I know Venezualans, Columbians, Peruvians, Brazilians & more.
They are all very ethnically oriented & prejudiced against colored people.
I was confused by it but have learned its an ethnic thing. Most people dont realize it but most latin people I know have excellent work ethics. They may not belong here but they sure bust theyre butts to get ahead. Many colored folks, here anyway are lazy welfare collectors. Its not nice to stereotype & I'm not trying to. Just stateing the facts.
So these Latin folks dont want to be lumped in with other darker ethnicities that are viewed as lazy but theyre often compared because of their minority status. They resent that. They dont worry about it as much as we do tho. Racism I mean. We white people are much more concerened with PC than most other people. Thats part of our problem, letting perceptions define reality.

Anyway on another note, I dont think most Americans will vote for a black man or a woman. Might be the best hope the republicans have.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:35 am

Perhaps a jobs issue? Many latinos and blacks are competing for the same jobs when at the lower-skill levels. Sure to create a lot of animosity, just like whenever any other groups have clashed in American given the same circumstances...

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:53 am

The Black vs Hispanic thing really boils down to who gets to claim the title of "Most Down-Trodden Minority" or who can claim that "The white man is meaner to me than he is to you" the loudest and get a court settlement to prove it.

It's all about entitlement, or who owes how much of what to whom, and how big is that piece if the pie, and why is his bigger than mine.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:58 am

Ysabel Kid wrote:Perhaps a jobs issue? Many latinos and blacks are competing for the same jobs when at the lower-skill levels. Sure to create a lot of animosity, just like whenever any other groups have clashed in American given the same circumstances...

Not here. If the black folks would work the Latins wouldn't be here. Theres alot of truth to the saying that latins do the work Americans are too good for. I can go out right now to a corner lined with mostly latinos hopeing for work, any work. A half a block away theres a corner lined with mostly black folks hopeing to sell you some dope that will refuse work, any work.
The latins, not careing about whats PC or if they offend recognize that & dont want to be associated with it. I dont blame them. They know the only reason they can find work here is because Americans are lazy. We are so lazy we set up funding for those too lazy to even work.

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:26 am

Not to take one side or the other, but did anyone ever think that the cultural motivation might be different? You are lumping the minorities of both racial groups into the mix as being the predominate behaviour. Most blacks are motivated to work for a better life, same as most hispanics. The difference is that the blacks are here to stay and the hardest working hispanics generally have no intention of staying here their entire life. They are here for a purpose, to make the $ and head back to their real culture back in the homeland of hang'n out, fishing, and drink'n tequilla.

Just an observation, but on my visits south of the border, the general population didn't seem too industrious.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:26 am

It will show up in the general election if the race is Obama/McCain. The Latinos won't vote for either a black man or a Republican, so they will just stay home.

They might also not vote for a woman. That is also counter to the latino culture, is it not?

A few El McCain bumper stickers might go a long way.

gcs · Post by **gcs** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:10 pm

From what I've seen, the Latinos don't like each other, as well as not liking Blacks.
Ever wonder why the Bodegas show the flag of the country the owner comes from?
Cause most will only go to "their" peoples place.

It's kind of funny, the Central Americans hate the Mexicans, the South Americans hate the C. Americans AND the Mexicans, they all hate the Puerto Ricans, and the Cubans hate them all,lol.

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:50 pm

I am not certain the reasons behind the racial attitudes of the "Hispanic" population is. I don't think it has it's origins in this country. In Mexico, black folks are depecting in cartoons and humor found in newspapers and magazines, much like they were during the 1920's in the Deep South.

It is true in Latin America there is this Machismo thing with it's bias against women. However, on the US side of the border than are many Latinas (women) elected to public office. So, I dont think they will not be willing to vote for Hillary.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:59 pm

The wild card is: Democrats will do something Republicians/Conservatives WILL NOT......They will hold their nose and vote the party line..........

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:44 pm

Blaine... In Texas we have a few "Yellow Dog Democrats". They are fewer than they used to be. A yellow dog democrat is a person who would vote for a yellow dog, if it was on the Democrat ticket.

Texas Latinos dont tend to be Yellow Dog Democrates. Election day for them is more about throwing some meat on the grill, icing down some beer and having a "pachanga".

JohnnyReb · Post by **JohnnyReb** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:08 pm

Not to hijack the thread, but a comment reminded me of something.....

Get to know alot of illegal Mexicans because we live close to the chicken capital of the world and those plants attract of illegal labor.

Some Mexicans think we are nuts for our lifestyle:
They work 6 to 9 months and then take a 3 month vacation- can hire locals in Mexico as servants, buy all the food, etc. they want with their savings each year. They do it on manual labor wages...don't have to worry about the economy, customers, stresses of the job.

Americans:
We MIGHT get 2 wks vacation a year.....I can barely afford a 2 star hotel and certainly don't have any servants......During the "vacation" we are wondering how much business we are losing? etc. (if you are a small business owner).

Makes you think some..............

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:05 pm

BlaineG wrote:The wild card is: Democrats will do something Republicians/Conservatives WILL NOT......They will hold their nose and vote the party line..........

Correct! I can't stand the Dem's, but do admire their party loyalty. No matter how bad the scumbag is (i.e. - Bill the Zipper, Ted the drunk, etc.), they will not condemn him (or her), will make every excuse they feel they need to justify continuing to support their candidate.