A Latino identity crisis
CHICAGO — The Latino community is finding itself in a quandary about how to reconcile a tremendously diverse collection of immigrants and multigenerational U.S.-born citizens who can fall anywhere on the socioeconomic map from dirt poor to super rich.
As if that weren’t enough, three things have Latinos in even more of a tizzy these days: how they describe themselves to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mitt Romney’s rise in the race to become the GOP presidential nominee, and a spate of Latino-centric media offerings.
Last week, a University of Southern California study found that 6 percent of respondents who reported Spanish or Latin American ancestry in a 2006 survey conducted by the U.S. Census answered “no” when asked if they identified themselves as Spanish, Hispanic or Latino.
The headlines that the news garnered, and the responses elicited from readers, ran from the sober notion that this is yet another sign of “ethnic attrition” or assimilation—aka, getting absorbed in the melting pot—to the fear that millions of Latinos are committing the unforgivable sin of “denying their own heritage.”
Such responses perfectly delineate the divide between those who want Hispanics to become nothing more or less than a normal part of mainstream America and those who want to ensure that the Latino community remains a distinct segment when it comes to population counts—whether for the purpose of honoring their unique culture or to curry political favor or power. As it stands, Hispanics are folded into the three established racial groups: white, black, Asian.
In this context, it’s no surprise that Latino voters, usually considered a reliably Democratic base, recoiled in horror to learn that Mitt Romney has Mexican ancestry and could become—gasp!—the nation’s first Hispanic president.
Yes, Romney can make a claim to America’s not-quite-sure-what-to-make-of-itself Latino community because his father was born in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. At the end of the 19th century, the Romney family immigrated to Mexico in order to flee U.S. laws against polygamy, and it still has a presence there.
The collective Hispanic response to Romney’s connection to the Aztec Empire has ranged from “But he’s white!” to the ever-insulting “Yeah, right—who ever heard of a Mexican Republican?”—an accurate reflection of the disconnect in Hispanics’ view of the difference between race and ethnicity, and a clear exhibition of the idea that though Latinos might hail from any of 20 separate countries and be distinct in a million different ways, no “real” Hispanic would be a—double-gasp!—Republican.
Enter the clever, anonymous, devil behind the just-launched parody Twitter account “MexicanMitt Romney.”
MexicanMitt, decked out in mariachi attire—and what he verified to me through Twitter are authentic, ultra-pointy cowboy boots—is hilarious. Cursing in broken Spanglish, bidding a ribald “adios” to Jon “Juanito” Huntsman, proudly declaring himself one of the rich “Juan percent,” and generally exploiting every Mexican convention you can think of, MexicanMitt has injected some fun into Republican poll speculating.
At least his followers and admirers are laughing at this stereotype-spewing lampoon. That’s opposite to the way many Latinos have reacted to big-media attempts to engage them. There’s been no backlash against MexicanMitt, so far, but to scan the disappointing offering of movies and TV in the past year is to find that the performing arts either ignore Hispanics or inadvertently insult them.
In the past months there has been frustration over how Colombia was depicted in the action-thriller “Colombiana” about that region’s drug cartel violence, the lack of Latinos celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors, and a TV sitcom portrayal of Puerto Ricans as natural-born drug dealers.
“Rob,” a television show that debuted last week about a Caucasian goofball who marries into a Mexican family, made waves for both using reliable “close-knit Hispanic family” stereotypes to delight viewers and for getting Hispanics to question whether they should love or hate shows like this or “Modern Family,” with its stereotypical sexy Latina mom.
Truthfully, no lines in the sand need to be drawn—we can agree to disagree about our varied individual preferences and what they “mean.” Latinos are diverse and complex, and we must accept this of our own community before we can expect others to do the same.
Esther Cepeda is a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group. Her email address is estherjcepeda@washpost.com.
Jan 23, 2012 at 3:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mitts grand-parents were American citizens Gaskell Romney (1871–1955) and Anna Amelia Pratt (1876–1926); natives of Utah, they married in 1895 in Mexico and lived in Colonia. Dublán, Galeana, in the state of Chihuahua (one of the Mormon colonies in Mexico) where George (Mitts father)was born. They practiced monogamy. It was Mitt Romneys Great
Grandparents were polygamous Mormons who fled the United States with their children due to the federal government's opposition to polygamy. It was during the Mexican Revolution the Romney family fled and returned to the United States in July 1912. His maternal great-grandfather was Helaman Pratt (1846–1909), who presided over the Mormon mission in Mexico City.
It would be a stretch to call the Romney family Hispanic.
Jan 21, 2012 at 8:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
This is labeled as a “Backdoor Amnesty.” Washington must enact ‘The Legal Workforce Act ‘Known more commonly as Mandated E-Verify. Plus “The Birthright Citizenship Act” to stop the inducement of bringing unborn infants into the country, that provides free welfare, education and health care. WE THE PEOPLE’S Constitution is under siege by the resident government and must be stopped, when they are allowing illegal aliens back on the streets. BE WARNED THAT NON-CITIZENS HAVE BEEN VOTING AND CERTAINLY WILL AGAIN IN FUTURE ELECTIONS. Every voter should possess official picture ID to vote?
Just come to light and been revealed in the highest levels of government. The Judicial Watch, the legal watchdog group has uncovered massive registration fraud with improprieties involving ACORN and in addition the Department of Justice. Read about the mind bending revelation of this organization that once employed Barack Obama. Judicial Watch is digging out the corruption in Washington DC, of implications to voter fraud; cementing the votes for our resident president by illegal means in our compromised election system. Go to http://www.rightsidenews.com for all the information.
The TEA PARTY does not alienate any race or nationality as the Liberal media would like you to think. It just requests the 1986 Immigration law (IRCA) enforced and not altered to pander to illegal migrants and immigrants.
Jan 21, 2012 at 8:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
It just goes to show that as illegal aliens flee Alabama, the unemployment rate is dropping for American labor--as according to several reports? Enforcement policing protocols are having the desired effect, which proves that state immigration laws do work if practiced and not neglected. My guess is that although I have not heard of any similar hiring statistics in Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina and even Utah, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this news hasn’t been suppressed by the newspapers and the central government. It will be very interesting to learn if promises are kept by the 4 remaining presidential personages. Even Gingrich’s agenda to give the long time illegal aliens some form of pardon, without citizenship. Whereas, I hate to think of a returning President Obama will have in-store for the United States? Whatever his idea of enforcing immigration laws are, it will just attract even more impoverished and criminals to arrive via our almost unprotected border or by international jet.
Who can we really trust to build the true parallel fences across the width of our nation? The establishment GOP capitalist will always demand cut price labor, with the Democrats hoping that by turning a blind eye, illegal aliens will vote in all elections—leading up to the grand finale in 2012? Most farmers are not innocent in procuring cheap labor, knowing that the taxpayers will be the payee for the health care and the children’s education of unlawful workers. Politicians ignore the huge billion dollar costs for illegal family settlement, that these are court appointed unfunded mandates which has been a fiscal anchor around the necks of the U.S. populace. Does Gingrich, Romney, Santorum or even Paul recognize the financial impact on all 50 states? Welfare benefits have slowed to American citizens, especially in Sanctuary States as California, Nevada and others, because of the financial support to people who have contempt for our laws.
To restrain President Obama and his Liberal progressive Czars as Eric Holder, the only avenue is to elect strict TEA PARTY Constitutionalists in oncoming federal and state elections. There are two points to remember that entering the United States has been intentionally classed by Congress as a civil matter? That it is not classified as a Felony; as it should be? Although being hired for a job or using a stolen ID or another person’s Social Security card can be prosecuted as a felony, as they have committed two crimes. The Tea Party will rescind any covert amnesties, sanctuary city ordinances, chain migration, dream act. The Tea Party are determined to build the 2006 Secure Fences (ACT) and additionally overhaul federal spending. Become acquainted NumbersUSA and learn about the billions of dollars taken from taxpayers in unfunded mandates by pandering to illegal aliens.
Jan 19, 2012 at 1:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
If you are a legal citizen and are not doing anything illegal, you should be free to assimilate or not assimilate as you please. Thats kind of what freedom is about. That is not to say anyone should be pandered to. But once any group gets big enough or has enough money, its going to happen, like it or not.
Jan 19, 2012 at 1:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Democrats have no desire for immigrants to assimilate, because if they did, the Democrats would not be able to shamelessly pander to them.
It is ironic (although not surprising) that Democrats preach they're interested in helping the poor, but one of the biggest barriers to success for immigrants is being able to speak English and the Democrats don't want that.
Well, like I say, being a Democrat means never having to say you're sorry!
Jan 19, 2012 at 12:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Wow, how are we supposed to make honest comments when the article itself is talking about Racism in a certain way. (See rule number 3 below) I have to agree with the majority here and say that if anyone is going to live in this country and share in the slowly dwindling rights we have then they need to speak the language, pay the taxes, and whatever else the born and raised Americans have to do. Nobody should be allowed to come to this country and right away get welfare (or whatever politically correct way of saying it now is), food stamp or any other government funded program that we tax paying Americans have to fund through our taxes and/or charitable donations. If they come here, they must first be approved and have a paying job waiting when they get here. If not, send them back. Plain and simple. But to the point....Once in this country whether born or accepted, you are American. Not Hispanic, Not African, Not German, Or whatever. You are American! So your background is something else, You are American! Backgrounds should not matter when you are American. And by the way, for those who complain about the majority, minority, and everything in between, remember we asked for it. How does it go? Give us your weak, your poor, your .........and so on. Thank our American forefathers.
Jan 19, 2012 at 12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
donnaw - I agree with you 100%. My grandparents came over from Switzerland & Germany and had to learn English for a reason. (However, whenever I was young and around them and they talked to each other, I never heard English!! Couldn't figure what the heck was going on!) It's fine to be proud of your heritage, but we live under one flag. Period.
Jan 19, 2012 at 11:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
"If this keeps up we won't be seeing the American flag flying over our nation because of some kind of idiotic reason."
That would be Obama's plan
Jan 19, 2012 at 10:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
I am tired of the catering too. I don't like the ATMs that have me to select English before I proceed with my transaction. Others should have to press extra buttons, not me. If this keeps up we won't be seeing the American flag flying over our nation because of some kind of idiotic reason.
Jan 19, 2012 at 6:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
I'm sick of the Latino vote, the Black vote, the pink vote, the Asian vote, etc. aren't we all Americans? I believe if we didn't cater to any race or ethnicity like we do with "for English press one, etc." people would be assimilated into American culture, language etc. much quicker. English as a second language throughout grade school a big mistake. My mother-in-law didn't speak English when she started school but learned it quickly when she found out she had to.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.