[ Letter ]

By Elias L. Garcia

Special to The Capital-Journal

Every year since its original enactment in 1968, communities throughout the United States celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month --- Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Celebration activities differ from place to place and include such things as official proclamations, dances, fiestas, workshops and seminars regarding the foremost Hispanic issues of the day; the larger communities do all of the above.

Yet, while all of these activities are fun and exciting, isn't it time the Hispanic/Latino community raised the bar and took Hispanic Heritage Month to the next level?

Don't get me wrong, traditional celebrations are a good thing and it does not matter how communities choose to celebrate. The important point is the fact that time has been scheduled on the U.S. national calendar to appreciate and recognize the many contributions Hispanics have made to this country. As Hispanics we take pride in knowing that Hispanic labor helped build the very foundation of this country, our culture helped nurture its growth and Hispanic loyalty helped defend it against all its enemies.

However, as we cross the threshold of the 21st century, has the time come for the Hispanic community to make yet another contribution in support of this country?

Some would say, haven't we done enough? Well, I would agree that the Hispanic influence throughout the past and present U.S. history has been impressive. Our Hispanic Medal of Honor winners (the most by any group) ranks right up there as perhaps our most significant. Yet, let's not disregard the importance of our other contributions to this society, starting with our population numbers. Hispanics are the fastest growing community in this country and are the largest ethnic minority in the United States, representing 35 million people or 13 percent of U.S. population (that's not counting the 3 million 2000 Census undercount or the 8 million undocumented immigrant population). Currently, one out of every eight people in this country is Hispanic and in 20 years it will be one out of every four. Isn't that impressive?

Also, there is no way you can discount the data that reflect that Hispanics/immigrants are responsible for a $500 billion annual infusion into the U.S. economy, that immigrants represent 34 percent of all domestic workers, 23 percent of all farmers and fishermen, 21 percent of assembly line workers and 18 percent of all service industry personnel.

No way you can live in the United States and not know about Latinas or Latinos like Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Sammy Sosa, A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez), Lee Trevino or the many other Hispanics impacting our government, educational system, etc. There is no denying that the Hispanic influence has not only permeated the fabric of American society, we have meshed with it and made it much stronger. Yet, isn't it time the Hispanic community adds to our remarkable list of contributions?

The question then becomes, what more can Hispanics/Latinos do to take it to the next level? Let me suggest that the most significant contribution that Hispanics can make in society today and one that will help every Hispanic/Latino, regardless of citizenship, economic status, or religion, is for every eligible Hispanic to exercise their duty to vote.

Bottom line is that if we want to join others at the table of governance and thus influence the laws and policies of this land, make them more sensitive to our community, we will need to significantly increase our voter participation in the United States. And while we are on the subject, how about starting with the approximate 118,000 Hispanics of voting age in Kansas?

I encourage all Hispanics to think of our vote as money, our political capital, if you will. Consider the potential in transforming the Hispanic/Latino vote into our currency of the 21st century. If each vote is viewed as one dollar, then we as a U.S. community have at the very least, $35 million to spend. In Kansas, that translates into 118,000 votes to spend and I can guarantee you that there is no politician alive who would not love to get his or her hands on 118 big ones.

Yet, we must be frugal, make wise decisions and be careful when spending our vote. Be wary of politicians who practice "Pinata Politics." Cast your vote for that person you believe will appreciate the many contributions (past/present) of our community and who, if elected, will be responsive to issues currently facing Hispanics. A recent national study lists immigration, health care, education, learning English as some of the foremost issues on the minds of members of the Hispanic community.

In Kansas, I would add to that list the proposal of State Board of Education candidate Connie Morris denying public education to "children of illegal immigrants" as well as the driver's license issue in which proof of legal entry into this country is a prerequisite.

New this year, a couple of significant voter initiatives that will enhance Hispanic voter participation and which promise to impact the general election: 1) voter registration forms available in Spanish that can be accessed through the Secretary of States' Web site at www.kssos.org and, 2) the U.S. Justice Department has ordered that six southwest Kansas counties offer bi-lingual ballots and put Spanish speaking election workers at every polling place as well as publish signs and other election materials in both languages. Counties affected are Seward, Grant, Finney, Kearny, Ford and Haskell.

In closing let me say that Hispanics/Latinos have impacted and influenced every sector of U.S. society save one, politics. During Hispanic Heritage Month and indeed throughout the next few months Hispanics and Hispanic organizations will be working to empower our community through voter registration drives and get out to vote campaigns.

It's time to take it to the next level and establish ourselves as major players in the arena of politics. No one can dispute the fact that the future power and influence of the Hispanic community lies in our political capital and awaits us in the voting booth. If Hispanics turn out and vote en masse, we will most certainly reap the most immediate and profound return on our investment --- adelante con fuerza! Elias L. Garcia is executive director of the Topeka Human Relations Commission. This column will appear in Spanish in the Las Noticias section of The Capital-Journal on Friday.

Copyright 2002
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