Accepting Young Hispanics Perceptions of the GOP

By Melissa Blair.

Spanish Poet Francisco de Quevedo once wrote: “He who spends time regretting the past losses the present and risks the future”.  As the Republican Party strives to connect with young Hispanos we have to take many factors into consideration, and not be hasty and rush band aid ‘outreach’ initiatives together for the sake of saying we’re doing something. First, let’s squash a minor argument that already exists amongst our Party elite…is it outreach, engagement, or grassroots initiatives? Call it whatever you wish let’s just make sure we all follow a few important steps if we plan to be successful in including a very important segment of our population that has felt neglected by our Party for many years. Whether you agree that our Party has neglected Hispanos is not the issue, perceptions are peoples’ realities and it’s time Republicans wake up and realize we have some work to do!

Let’s take an honest look at some perceptions, their realities, many young Hispanos have about the Republican Party:

Republicans are racist and shun diversity.

Republicans don’t value and appreciate minorities and their contributions.

Republicans only care about the rich and not middle class or poverty-stricken families.

Republicans are outdated.

As a talented Hispano comedian says “stop me when I lie”.  This is the truth folks, and I’m not exaggerating.  I have spent time in Hispanic communities my entire life. I grew up in a traditional Mexican-American household, I have studied the cultures of every Spanish speaking country (there are 21 just in case you’re curious), and I have interviewed thousands of young Hispanos. My background, personally and academically, is where I draw my opinions and conclusions.  The truth is young Hispanos across the country don’t feel a connection with our Party. To be perfectly honest, it’s not Republican candidates they dislike…it’s the Party!

These perceptions are their realities, and as a result OURS! Who’s to blame? We are, yep us! When speaking of this very important demographic let’s focus on one key word “youth”, meaning we came before them and should have done a better job of reaching out, educating and serving as mentors. I’m not suggesting every single person dropped the ball; however we, conservatives, did not make a concentrated effort to extend a welcome. Let’s look forward; this is not the time to grovel over what we should have done, it’s time to focus and take action!

So, where do we begin? Ah, a relevant question…we begin by accepting young Hispanos perceptions of our Party. They feel this way for a reason, and we can’t shift the blame anymore. We didn’t do a good job and we need to accept reality.  We also need to, collectively, get to know the very people we want to represent.  What are we doing to educate, and include Hispanic Communities? What do policy makers, leaders and members within our Party know about Hispanics? I can tell you wholeheartedly young Hispanos have the same concerns and issues all Americans their age have. Some might even be struggling with language barriers they need to conquer, but this doesn’t make them less ‘American’.

Food for thought: Who’s going to step up and lead young Hispanos? To be effective we have to face a hard fact, Latino-to-Latino outreach is front and center!  Hispanos, especially young Hispanos, are more receptive to messages and information from other Hispanos.  We are going to face tough questions, but questions are good, it’s our responses, or lack of, that will ultimately define us. This is not the time to stay mute simply because we are being challenged!

Let’s say it all together: Mi partido es Su Partido! My Party IS your Party!

This is the first of a three article series on – The Republican Party and Hispanic Youth. Look for the second article next week titled “Young Hispanos, the Republican Party, and Political Participation”.

Melissa Blair is a Doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas. She holds Masters degrees in Hispanic Studies and Public Administration from Auburn University. She is also the Editor of The Americano’s Young Conservatives section. Feel free to contact her if you would like to submit an article, have questions, ideas or suggestions. mblair@theamericano.com

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