VÁZQUEZ: WALL-E and the invisible Latinos
Published: Friday, July 18, 2008 at 3:41 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 18, 2008 at 6:28 a.m.
Though my family enjoyed the movie "WALL-E," my daughter wondered why they were no Latinos among the people who escaped from Earth.
The invisibility of Latinos is prevalent in American history and culture and it is almost impossible to discuss without pushing hot buttons among both Latinos and non-Latinos.
There are, however, local efforts to address this issue.
I am reminded of the words of Kate Braverman, author and Sonoma State University distinguished alumni, regarding the perception of Mexicans in Los Angeles: "We practice psychological apartheid. The future of this city lies not in our methods of rendering the majority of the population invisible, but in how we alter our perceptions and eradicate our ignorances (Los Angeles Times, Nov. 28, 1982)."
The same goes for Sonoma County.
Indeed, many Latinos speak privately about this feeling of invisibility. Like looking in the mirror and not seeing your reflection, this invisibility affects the sense of respect, self-worth and self-identity of second- and third-generation Americans of Latino descent.
Many U.S.-born Spanish-surname individuals resent being confused with recently arrived Mexicans. Others develop a dislike for their own heritage.
Research on second-generation Mexican-Americans shows that this ambiguous identity plays a big role in their self-concept and their school performance. In fact, the struggle between the norteño and sureño gangs is based to some extent on their identification as more or less integrated into American society, respectively.
In view of the dramatic growth of the population in Sonoma County, it is important to make an effort to "alter our perceptions and eradicate our ignorances" by becoming aware of at least two factors involved in this invisibility.
Despite decades of research to the contrary, there is a public perception that Latinos, especially Mexicans, do not integrate into American society. In effect, discussions of "Latino issues" automatically tend to gravitate first toward the issue of immigration, and then toward "illegals."
This is how the optical illusion happens: Unlike any other immigrants, Mexicans were either already here or come from the country next door (and will continue to come as long as there employers willing to hire them). Because of the constant immigration from Mexico, public opinion and popular culture is fixated on the people who have arrived recently and who have not been integrated yet.
What we don't see are the later generations of Latinos who have assimilated into mainstream American society and no longer consider themselves "Latinos." They are just Americans like everyone else. In practical terms, people around you who "don't look Latino" actually are Latinos (so be careful what you say!).
There is also a public perception and expectation for Latinos to speak with one voice.
Someone mentioned waiting for 30 years for Latinos to do a voter registration/education drive. The fact is there is no one Latino community. Latinos are mestizos, a mixture of ethnic groups that includes Spaniards and Indigenous/Native Americans but also African, Asian and other European peoples. To some extent this diversity adds to their invisibility.
As noted in Jaime Peñaherrera's recent Harvard master's thesis, in terms of political representation, Latinos in Sonoma County are certainly invisible. Why? The Latino community includes diverse social classes and ideologies, and opportunities to appoint Latinos to office have not materialized.
A political consultant commented that members of Latino political groups always end up fighting with one another. This is not, however, a "cultural" trait unique to Latinos; hardball politics is a function of power relations not of "culture."
In Texas, more than half of the elected officials are Texan Mexicans. In Miami, Cuban-Americans are key players in city politics. Their success is based on leadership, organization and the wise use of their electoral and economic power.
To the extent that groups such as the Coalition for Latino Civic Engagement puts these elements into practice, Latinos will too become visible political players.
There are viable Latino candidates running for office and sooner or later they will take their place at the governance table.
There are also high expectations for the upcoming (Sept. 12 to Jan. 11, 2009) exhibit at the Sonoma County Museum titled "La Frontera del Norte" which will provide visible proof of the significant role that Mexicans/Latinos have played in the development of Sonoma County.
Who knows? Perhaps the sequel to "WALL-E" will include Latinos.
Francisco H. Vázquez, Ph.D. is director of the Hutchins Institute for Public Policy Studies and Community Action at Sonoma State University.
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