With all of this talk about president elect Barack Obama I feel that another name was not treated with the same spotlight as Obama. Obama was not the only non-Caucasian person running for presidency after all. Many people are quick to forget Bill Richardson who was also running for president in this political race. Yet while he was still running, the spotlight seemed obligated to look more towards Barack Obama as the first Black president than look at Bill Richardson and say hey he could be our first Latino president.
I wanted to ask you why do you think Bill Richardson was not given similar treatment as Barack Obama had. Was it because Obama seemed to have some different flare that Richardson didn't have. Or was it because that America might be ready for a black president, but not ready for the first Latino president? If that is true then when will we be ready for a Latino president if we ever are ready? Could Obama's election be the catalyst for future presidents of multiple races to win or will his election only open the option now to one more race instead of all races?
Joseph G.
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2 comments:
This article talks about how it seems that Latinos do not integrate well into American society. This may be why people are more willing to support a black president. The black community has been president in America for much longer than the Latino community. The black community fought hard for their rights in this country and had a leader that people of many races admired.
The influx of the Latino community is relatively recent, the immigration trends having risen in the past couple of decades.
Every racial/ethnic community when they first as a whole group begin emigrating to America must start at the bottom. At one point in time the common laborers were the Chinese, another time they were the Irish, another time they were Eastern Europeans. Right now the Latino community is serving its time working its way up the socio/economic totem poll. While there are many more Latino custodians and day laborers than there are Latino doctors and lawyers, this nation may have a hard time accepting Latinos in positions of high power.
I think when the next racial/ethnic community moves in and and the Latino community begins moving up, this nation will support a Latino candidate as they did this year with a black candidate.
Dana "Sunshine"
As long as it took and as hard as it was, African-Americans have always been the second race to achieve new heights in America. We always begin the battle for equality with them. While they take much of the criticism for trying, they also receive the benefits first. Therefore a Latino president can never be possible until an African-American has already been there. Now that Obama has won, there is more of a chance for other races.
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