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Opinion -Hispanic Americans                    by The Americas Foundation's President

Polarization of Hispanics by Country of Origin -Great Waste Today,
Wonderful Potential Tomorrow
by Victor Pinzon

    Washington, DC. Polarization of Hispanics in the United States by country of origin and deep divisions within each country of origin communities are two real situations that are little understood by most people. These situations create substantial waste of resources every day, not just for Hispanics but for the country in general.
    Why? Why does this polarization exist? Does grouping Hispanics under such a name have value or benefit? Where and when did the polarization of Hispanics originate?
Why does it continue? And, will or should this polarization continue?
What economic, social, political impact and cost do polarization of and divisions among the Hispanic community have on the individual and on the family? on the community? and on the country? on our children and future?
    These and many other questions have been the subject of study and investigation of The Americas Foundation, a nonprofit, think-tank, NGO, since its inception in 1991. As a matter of fact, TAF’s origin and existence is primarily based on these prevalent conditions and the need to contribute to overcome them. We understand that many Hispanics or considered Hispanics do not even like to be identified as such. Accordingly, TAF has developed a strategic plan to contribute to overcome the polarization of Hispanics by country of origin and the deep divisions that exist among them.
    Polarization by country of origin along with political apathy or no political involvement or participation has been prevalent among Hispanics. But it has been more prevalent among Hispanics of South and Central American origin in the US, as compared to the Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban American communities. Why is this? The last three groups, out of 20 Latin American countries including Spain, are the only three Hispanic groups that have achieved a degree of political representation in the US. The Hispanics from the other 17 countries of origin do not have political representation. Why has this happened? The Americas Foundation, finds as the most important reasons the fact that Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban Americans found out and decided that political representation is critical. Thus, they learned the political process, started and continue to work hard, to participate, to invest, and contribute to political campaigns and the political process. They learned how the political process works and have been working within it. They also learned how to demand and exert their rights for their own people. Yet, unfortunately, those three groups do not work together, rather they maintain separate agendas on most issues, thereby wasting substantial resources for their own people, for the rest of the Hispanics and for the country.
    Within the Colombian community, for example, some of the existing divisions among Colombians are caused and fueled, as the ex-presidential candidate Noemi Sanin said at Georgetown University, by “roscas, palancas, privilegios.” I will add discrimination by social class, financial position, color of skin, race, arrogance, “hijos de papi”, “gente de la high”, nepotism, regionalism, fanatism. All of these and other similar factors breed deep divisions, not only inertia, apathy, acceptance and conformism (“si patron” “si su merced”), but antagonism, jealousy, cynicism, envy, and in general destructive group behavior -an environment where everybody loses.
    The divide and conquer concept seems to be alive and destructive among the Hispanic communities in the United States; much as it is in Latin America. This situation benefits a few for a short term, but in general everyone loses.
    One of the results of polarization is lack of or "token" political representation. Lack of political representation means being ignored, discriminated, under served, economically disadvantaged, lacking equal opportunities and equal or open access to top decision makers even though you pay your heavy share of taxes at about 40 per cent of your income. That is taxation without representation, which is no democracy!
    However, we can change these conditions if we want to. We can change them for our benefit, our families, our communities and our country’s benefit. We can change them by starting to take action right now! The Americas Foundation has developed and offers a strategic plan to proceed in an orderly, effective manner to accomplish these desperately needed changes.

    The author challenges you to send us your comments and suggestions on this or other issues. Also, invites you to become a paid member of or donate -tax deductible- to The Americas Foundation to contribute to help us help you and others in our Foundation's ambitious mission to contribute to the educational, economic and political empowerment of our people.

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