It’s a big election year and my inner political monologue goes a little something like this:
Poliltics?! Who has time for politics? I’m too busy changing diapers, freaking out about trying to get Put Pie into a public preschool, worried about how to make ends meet on what we’re making at the moment…but how can we even consider a change of jobs in this economy…and Unknown Papi can not possibly leave his job for something else because even though we need more money at least we have insurance and we can’t possibly be without insurance…
And then I realize that the personal is indeed political and that my top political concerns seem to be…
- Education
- The economy
- Health care
So I know that the Latino vote is important in this campaign, I know that the candidates are courting Latinos, but are they really speaking to me? Because as a Latina, I know Latinos are not all the same. I know we are a diverse and dynamic group. I know that my concerns may not be the top concerns of other Latinos. Do you see how immigration is not one of my top 3 political concerns? Why? Because this Latina was born and raised here and my daughters were born here too. Still, I know immigration issues are VERY important to some Latinos. There are some young promising Latino lives that are on hold because of their immigration status.
So who will speak to us? Who will speak for us? I think it’s up to us to speak for ourselves as individuals, as part of a group, and as part of the social and political fabric of this country.
Premiering on August 19th at 8pm, We Decide: Latinos and the 2012 Election, is a town hall special that will voice the concerns of Latinos. To learn more about this coproduction between nuvo TV and NBC News moderated by Natalie Morales, news anchor of NBC News’ TODAY, which will feature a panel of high-profile experts, live audience engagement, and virtual participation, visit:
- We Decide: Speak up & Make a Difference
- We Decide Gives Latinos a Voice
I encourage you to watch even if you aren’t Latino because these are issues we face as a country. We need to listen to each other because we’re all in this together.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and nuvo TV. All statements and opinions are mine.
I feel very strongly for the girl in the video; I hope Obama is able to help her and the thousands like her.
I got all choked up over her story.
Hi Claudya! I like your message here, and the sanity with which it is expressed. I’m a zillion miles away in the UK, but we have similarly affected sections of the population, who often feel overlooked or unheard by the central government despite their growing presence. I hope these meetings prove productive, and that American Latinos make themselves heard at the election. Indigo x
will def be watching…i am not too sure on where our county is heading in all honesty and i dont know that i really want to believe the politicians…never know who is back rolling them you know…smiles.
Wouldn’t it be great if the politicians, media, and public didn’t care what ethnic group anyone was in? Race, gender, and your sexual preference doesn’t matter to me. I just care about the type of person you are. Things like fair, honest, sense of humor, respectful, etc. Oh maybe being a good blog writer wins points too.
IMAGINE – yeah I’m listening to John Lennon right now.
My issues are much the same as yours, Mami. I’m underemployed at the moment but can’t risk stepping out to find something else because I might endanger my meager health insurance coverage. And retirement? In my dreams!
It’s quite exasperating. At this point we’ll have to keep working well into our 80’s.
Ya know, sigh. It’s just too much. My issues, or should I say our issues are similar to yours. I swear sometimes it feels like we’ll be working til we die
It really does feel that way and it’s exhausting to think about.
I agree with you about the danger of lumping all Latinos (or women, or white males, or Wisconsinites, etc.) We are individuals and need to think/vote for ourselves. I honestly might check that panel out.
Voting is our right and our responsibility. Oh yes, I’ll go vote at Circle of Moms. 😀