Afro-Latino Coalition?

[RBL]

I did a search but could not find the topic
I just received the new issue of the Crisis and the cover story was "Strength in Numbers: Should the communities join forces". Since Latino growth has outpaced Blacks, should the two communities join forces to bring upon economic and political empowerment?

What do you think GC?

[Senusret I]

What up, Job?

I think that Blacks and Latinos should work together wherever possible, particularly on local levels.

Here in DC, I think that Black and Latino coalitions are long overdue. There are communities and schools that are divided down color lines here and very little cooperation. I have seen Latinos fall victim to racism here, too -- pretty sad when the oppressed becomes the oppressor.

[rho4life]

yes and no. While some of the struggles are the same, there are still issues unique to each group. For example, ESL education is not an issue that tops my list of concerns. I can see how Latinos will be more concerned about that issue.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by rho4life
yes and no. While some of the struggles are the same, there are still issues unique to each group. For example, ESL education is not an issue that tops my list of concerns. I can see how Latinos will be more concerned about that issue.

Good point.
I would also say that forming coalitions may depend on the part of the country. For instance, it may be relatively easy in the Northeast (because Puerto Ricans and Dominicans are most often Afro-Latino) and California (out here, Mexicans/Chicanos and blacks have been able to coexist with some exceptions), but very difficult in Florida (because most Cubans are Republican thanks to resentment of Castro and there have been flareups over Haitian immigration).

[Senusret I]

Ditto rho4life and steeltrap.

I don't think that national coalitions would be a super great idea just because of the diversity in opinions among all blacks and latinos. (And many of those opinions are shaped by the nuances in culture, too.)

[SummerChild]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
Good point.
I would also say that forming coalitions may depend on the part of the country. For instance, it may be relatively easy in the Northeast (because Puerto Ricans and Dominicans are most often Afro-Latino) and California (out here, Mexicans/Chicanos and blacks have been able to coexist with some exceptions), but very difficult in Florida (because most Cubans are Republican thanks to resentment of Castro and there have been flareups over Haitian immigration).

Great comments Steeltrap and Rho4life!
I think that it is a nice ideal, given that compromises could be made to make the joint movement relevant enough to both groups.

<Some random rambling follows>
However, I do wonder if the solutions that are posed for one group would work for the other. In another thread, someone suggested investment clubs for AA to garner wealth and correspondingly, gain political clout. Would, for instance, an investment club solution work for people of Latino descent? I mean to say, African-Americans are pretty much assimilated (for better or worse) into the "American" way of living and are doing mainstream things like being involved in investment clubs. Are Latinos largely assimilated or is the Latino culture more dominant? Are investment clubs a solution that would work with the culture, if the culture is the driving force? One thing that I like about the Latino culture that exists where I live at least is that their family structure seems to be intact and the young men that are involved with the young women who become pregnant appear to really support these women with not just $$ but their physical presence also. Is this a result of lack of assimilation into the American idea that divorce and other American ills are ok?

Just some questions that I'm pondering.
SC

[darling1]

the latest BE has a similar article that i thought was very interesting.

in the dc area i really am not encouraged that there will be definitive movement to forge coalitions between the groups, i could be wrong. from my experience there are a large number of people of latin decent who are foreign to the 'phenomenon' that is the Afro-latino. a number of people in my classes as an undergrad seemed very surprised that i was of puerto rican heritage because i didn't 'look' a certain way and i didn't speak spanish. i have also experience racist attitude from these same folks as did my sister because i didn't speak the language.

also, i think since both african-americans and latinos are fighting similar cultural battles that may pose a problem. in addition, each culture has a different approach to some of the social issues that exist.

in general we are all trying to achieve the same type of acceptance, successes, opportunities as our white counterparts and there may be underlying resentment that could occur. i really forsee a stronger movement in NY and perhaps California like steeltrap mentioned. personally, i know that at least in ny i won't get weird looks when i tell folks my last name .