Hector Hernandez

Humanities 1100
Civic Engagement Pre-Reflection
Nov -9th- 2016

The topic I choose for this assignment was Latinos and the political
parties, because as we have the fighting for the position of commander in
chief for the United States, we can all agree that the Latino vote makes a
great impact on the elections and on the numbers as well, because many of
us are citizens and we have the wonderful right to vote and to determine the
future for our entire country and for the future of our upcoming generations
so we can make a remarkable difference of it. The problem is the fact that
the United States has always been a country with only 2 political parties,
where you have to decide if you go for being a Democrat or a Republican,
which makes it very difficult for some people.
We can distinguish them by many reasons, where one of them is
specifically the views which each on of this parties have based on social
issues; in one hand, the Republicans tend to be conservative on these issues,
they tend to oppose gay marriage, they oppose abortion and promote the
right of gun ownership. On the other hand, Democrats tend to be more
progressive in their views, favoring abortion and gay marriage, but are
strongly for strict gun control laws that limit ownership. But when we focused

more on the real issue which has been present, for many and many years,
elections by elections is the wait for a migration reform which may help and
heal many problems for so many people who come to this country illegally
on the search for a better life and improve their daily lifes.
We all know that Republicans have always been the worst enemies for
immigrants, sense they have always been opposed for an immigration
reform, they are very strongly against illegal immigrants and they have
always stated so many quotes which keeps them losing the Latino vote, such
as It is absolutely essential that we protect [American Workers] from illegal
labor in the workplace. But on the other side, we have the Democrats who
have always been trying to do something in favor for the Hispanic
community and improve this major issue that has followed the United States
of America for many decades. They are always willing to be in favor of a
comprehensive immigration reform, because this is a major problem that tors
families apart, and which leaves millions of people working and living in the
shadows.
But the most important question is: Is it okay if all of this Latino
community has only these 2 options when voting? which for me, personally,
the answer is that it is completely not ok! We need more options! We need
more political parties! Because whenever I hear that the presidential
elections are coming, it always brings to my mind a Monopoly kind of
Democracy, where it is mostly only 1 option of deciding from 2 candidates,
whether you like any of them or not.

As of todays statistics, 50% of Latino registered voters say that the

Democratic Party has more concern for them, where 10% thinks that
Republicans do and finally that a 35% think that neither of them take care or
have the immigration reform on their mind to help this community. But at the
end, it is obvious that by looking at the final results and the election of the
new President of the United States, it will help determine if people are really
willing to keep voting for the same party which has always keep making
promises but not accomplishing (Democrats), or give a chance to the
Republicans to see if there is any hope at all for them or maybe at the end
neither of them, or for a Liberian candidate.
I am really aware that my participation, as well as all the Latinos living
in the USA and by voting, will make a huge impact on the election date and
be able to determine if there is going to be a change or not. This topic relate
so much in our discussions, (specifically in our election ones) and on many
other readings, such as: White supremacy , Black Boy, Privilege 101,
Professions for Women, Americanization is taught on Macho, and many
others.

Sources:

Lopez, Mark Hugo, Ana Gonzalez-Barrera, and Jens Manuel Krogstad.

"Chapter 3: Latinos and the Political Parties." Pew Research Centers Hispanic
Trends Project RSS. Pew Research Center, 29 Oct. 2014. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.