Let’s condemn racism and discrimination, no matter where they come from

At a time when immigrant and Hispanic communities, as well as other minorities, are being targeted by extremist GOP racism, it is sad and disgusting when prejudice comes from Hispanic and Democratic politicians who ironically condemn the other side for its discriminatory stance.

The most recent major branding scandal erupted when a taped conversation a year ago between now-former Los Angeles City Council president Nuri Martinez and councilors Kevin de Leon and Gil Zedillo, as well as the head of the Federation of Labor, was released. Los Angeles County, Ron Herrera. It was on the sidelines of the redistricting meeting that racist comments were made about the African-American son of white councilman Mike Bonin. But there were also comments about the indigenous communities, especially the Oaxacans, whom Martinez called “ugly”. There were also homophobic comments.

The language is so offensive that the very idea of ​​this group of politicians being held on as long as “leading” the community of one of the most Hispanic cities in the US, such as Los Angeles, is immediately disgusting. The Oaxaca community, on the other hand, is one of those with the largest cultural presence in the state of California and its most important festivals such as Guelaguetza, which in Zapotec expresses the idea of ​​participation, cooperation, offering, helping. , being in solidarity – are celebrated for decades every year in various cities of the state, which shows the greatness of the people who fought to preserve their roots, even outside their places of origin. Did Martinez, De Leon, Zedillo and Herrera know this when they expressed their true opinion about the people that also gave them votes?

In fact, the fact that this conversation was recorded a year ago and has now been leaked for unknown political reasons does not detract from its weight, as these are comments that have no place in either public or private conversations. With what morality and with what face can these so-called “Latin American leaders” denounce prejudice against the communities they claim to represent if they think the same way as those who attack them?

Now they themselves know the best way to end a political career in a minute, like in that game of Snakes and Ladders – and as Mexican Americans they must know it very well – that when you think you’re on top or on the cusp of reaching your goal, it crosses a scary snake that forces the participant to descend to the lowest level of the game.

Even President Biden himself, through his representative Carine Jean-Pierre, said that they should all resign, calling their statements “unacceptable” and “terrifying.”

Across the country, civil rights, civil rights, and pro-immigrant groups are waging an all-out fight against racism emanating from Republican candidates and leaders who claim there is an “invasion” on the Mexican border, who claim Democrats want to “replace” them with minorities to deprive their political power. Still others are using desperate migrant asylum seekers as pawns in a Machiavellian game of political chess, as do Florida and Texas governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott, respectively.

However, anything can be expected from racist and anti-immigrant figures. But for members of these target communities to exhibit such behavior—only they do it quietly, unaware that they are being recorded—is hypocritical and more mean.

Because it is not normal to distinguish; you can not reject a person with racist views; It is not correct to point out “mote in someone else’s eye” either in private or in public. But above all, not when you call yourself the “leader” of one or more minorities; not when you support immigrants and strive for equality between communities; not when your ancestors endured countless insults, and silence them so that you can get to where you are.

Martinez resigned from his post on the council. While two advisers have apologized, calls for them to step down from their posts are mounting. All three are Mexican-Americans, and all three have recounted their family stories on different occasions with similar past suffering. What will they now have to say every time they return home?

But, unfortunately, this case is not isolated. Those of us who are Hispanics know firsthand the rampant prejudice that occurs at different levels among Hispanics themselves: some nationalities despise others, and prejudice among the same nationalities based on class, race, color, and immigration status. This is something generalized that is often even tried to “soften” by trying to make ridicule and comments “funny”. On the other hand, it is not uncommon to hear in conversations between Hispanics when they declare their white and European past, in addition to the Hispanic geographical reality in which they were born and raised.

So it was and is in our countries. The curious thing is that when they arrive in the United States and feel prejudice and discrimination from other sectors, they accuse others of being racists; and the politicians who represent us also raise their voices, and although for the most part they are sincere and genuine, there are also many figures like Martinez who pretend to preach morality in their shorts.

This, of course, is already a wake-up call to those who claim to call themselves “leaders” of a community like the Hispanic community that the last thing they need in these critical times for their future in the United States is to have representatives who are in private order are everything opposite to what they preach in public. And it’s more than embarrassing.

It is time for a conscience test at all levels, because racism and prejudice must be condemned, no matter where they come from.