Intro to Latino Politics: Course Overview

Intro to Latino Politics

• Course-related material available on mattbarreto.com
• The syllabus on the website is correct
• Readings from Garcia and Sanchez Chapter 1 and 2 should be reviewed

Assignment Information

• Final presentations are due on Friday
• Students must submit their final work to get a grade

TA Information

• Madeline teaches on Fridays
• Sabrina teaches on Fridays, shabchi@ucla.edu is her email.
• Kevin teaches on Thursdays

Course Info

• Offered as part of both PS and CCAS.

Who are Latinos

• Latinos are those whose ancestors come from places where Spanish is commonly spoken
• Most of the nations in the Western Hemisphere fit this description
• Not all countries "fit" this description
• Census doesn't oversee everything, it is all self-identified
• Filipinos might identify as Hispanic

Identifying as Latino

• Brazilians who speak Portuguese are not considered Hispanic but Latino
• Spaniards are considered Hispanic not Latino
• White Europeans might say that they are Hispanic/Latino due to cultural influence in the U.S.
• Latino and Hispanic are similar, but remain different

Census Information

• Census first counts Hispanics in 1970.
• The census asks "is this person's origin or descent: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, other Spanish, or none of these?”
• Other terms used by Census have changed throughout the years
• 1930 Census: Mexican
• 1940 Census: Spanish mother tongue
• 1950/60 Census: Spanish surname
• South Asian is the largest Asian demographic in the United States

Data Dissemination

• Before releasing to the wider census, new questions are tested on smaller surveys.
• This data is disseminated every decade
• 1990 Census moved beyond Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican
• The 2000 Census created the first multiracial census form.
• Latino/Hispanic is separated from the question about race

The Census and Citizenship Status

• After 1950, data on nationality was no longer collected during the decennial census
• The annual ACS started collecting data in 2006
• Citizenship status information can be used for voting rights and redistricting
• To draw majority-minority districts, courts and redistricting groups frequently use CVAP data
• This is typically done using Census ACS Data

2020 Census Attempt

• In 2020, the Census attempted to add citizenship
• According to former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, this was done to help the Justice Department with voting rights
• People said, however, that its real purpose was to scare immigrants and lower the real number of people in the population
• Citizenship question was struck down by Courts
• Three Federal courses in NY, CA, MD all ruled against
• The Supreme Court ruled against citizenship questions in June 2019
• It must be proven that Census cannot add any questions that will hurt the count

Race vs Ethnicity?

• Is race socially constructed?
• Ethnicity means ethnic group identity
• The text lists Afro-Latinos and Indigenous roots

Chapter 1 in the Garcia and Sanchez Book

• "Latinos in the Crosshairs" because of the recent expansion and celebration of Latinos
• Latinos are in the middle of culture, society, and politics
• Latino culture is endangering America which leads to the conclusion of a dichotomy

The Dichotomy

• Coco was celebrated; at the same time, Trump called immigrants "animals" and sent National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border
• “Poisoinoning hte blood of America” by Hitler was quoted

The Changing Latino Community

• The historical context mostly focuses on the history and context of Mexican-Puerto Rican and Cuban origin communities
• Central Americans are a fast-growing segment of the population and close to 10% of all Latinos Central American community is over 10% of all Latinos in the US
• History and Demographics review takes place
• The historical context is reviewed
• Spanish, Indian, and African roots are all important
• The text lists the Aztecs, Mayans, Olmecs, Toltecs, Incas
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was addressed in the Mexican-American War 1846-48

Spanish American War 1898

• The independence of Cuba, Philippines, and Puerto Rico was the result
• Puerto Rico is a commonwealth via Jones Act of 1917
• Those in PR can't vote for president unless they live elsewhere in the US

Community Building in Latino America

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965 (1975) were presented
• It was unclear at the time whether Latinos were covered until 1975, when Spanish speakers were officially recognized
• The Fair Housing Act was brought up

Importance

• Equal representation is emphasized
• Federalism and state rights

Chicano Walkouts in 1968

• John Ortiz (pictured) Garfield High
• A walk-out took place in March 5, 1968
• Freddie Resendez, Lincoln High also made a difference here
• Wilson, Garfield, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Belmont, Jefferson, and Venice High became important places
• National Chicano Movement and the walkouts got going because of the walkouts
• What is Latino identity?

The Shared Group Consciousness

• Latinos potentially share cultural and group similarities, but also political consciousness, not to the same level of the Black community
• AfAm community is connectecd through the AfAm experience in the U.S and its oppressive past; there is a linked fate
• How far through history would this extend?

Central American Community in the US

• 58.3% Mexican, 10.8% Central American which makes it the 2nd largest after Mexican Americans, 9.0% Puerto Ricans which makes it the 3rd largest.
• Most of the Central American community is still regional in 10 states
• California has the largest demographic of Central Americans 1.6 mil

Statistics

• LA county has the largest amount out of any other county 884k, Texas under 900k
• Fueled mostly by the Northern Triangle demographic (Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Honduran)
• Large Central Americans in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois

States

• Long Island in New York, LA County near same as entire state of Texas
• The Northern Triangle includes Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador
• The region affected by U.S. involvement and foreign policy is negatively impacted by political instability, civil war, criminal networks, poverty, homicide, and migration

The Cold War

• The Cold War and U.S. were nervous about Soviet intrusion in Cuba and Central America
• The U.S. would intervene if any Latin American and Central American country would elect any leftist president
• Climate change, hurricanes, drought, and crop failure are also negatively impacting the region, resulting in hunger and poverty
• Wendy Carrillo, Haya Ayala, Monica Martinez, Hilda Solis, Norma Torres, Delia Ramirez, Miguel Estrada, Sonia Chang-Diaz are Notable Central American Politicians

Racialization of Central Americans

• Salvadorans have been unfairly scapegoated and stereotyped as MS-13 gang members living in Northern Virginia
• Ralph Gillespie scapegoated Salvadorans, and lost election
• Tactics of Trump were used to win the election

Latina/o Diversity and Commonality

• Each Latin American national origin group has its own history and customs
• Central American population has grown rapidly over the past 20 years.
• Commonalities prevail with Spanish colonial influence + US foreign policy
• Music, culture, religion, and global perspectives are all diverse AND share commonalities than language in all of Latin America

Identity Shift

• When individuals identify others of different national origins, identification shifts from smaller to larger
• Political identification branches out, it starts with community
• Pan-ethnic (Hispanic/Latino) strengthens national-origin identity rather than replacing it
• National identity will remain: You are Mexican AND Latino
• These identities are mediated by time in the U.S

Political Elites and Identity Formation

• Latino leaders teach and inspire the Latino population to connect their own situations and prospects to governmental bodies
• Leaders understood that this common identity may open doors for governmental mobilization, enhance group consciousness and membership, and grow the resources available to Latino interests

Toward Pan-Ethnic Identity

• Latinos should recognize each other as a racial/ethnic group
• There must be a joint-action advantage on Latinos' behalf

Voter Mobilization

• Empathy, discrimination and calls for consolidation of pan-ethnic identity
• How Latino characteristics are interwoven on politics and engagement
• How studies suggest consciousness correlate a great deal in political behavior among Latinos

Thursday: Population Growth and Voting Strength

• What is the significance of demographics?
• The growing Latino voter population lags the non latino population.
• Reasons for this outcome are the focal point of Latino America-Chapter 4
• What strategies can increase latino voters?
• The untapped Latino and other groups
• Over 18 and a citizen, eligible
• The electorate stands at about 35 mil
• 1.4 mil remain not registered

Population-Registration Gap

• Factors explain why voter registration has stagnated
• Mobilization and campaign strategies for them
• Citizens and other factors that hinder voter registration
• Election involvement and support are low with latinos
• Latino citizen number that were not registered

Voter Registrations

• Structure could increase registration and note vote
• Texas and issues on voting barrier
• Latino voting gap citizen voting age and population has stagnated

Demographics from 2022

• 74% White vote
• 64% Black vote
• AAPI vote
• 58% Latino Vote
• Voter registration is key to voting process and not the cause of all voter disparity

Parties

• Civic community groups and associations and education of voter assistance outdid party registration.
• Chicano Civil Rights Movement and Southwestern Voter Registration Project are groups that are active in voter awareness.
• Turn out comes the citizen is voted and voting
• Ethnic groups have great support for voting
• Latino Parties that help with support mobilization
• Latino Voters have little history in voting

Political Party Influence

• Main motivation to democrat support.
• Support democratic election to have votes higher.
• Dawsey in America
• Group orientation and unite

Latino Group Unity

• Political scientists look at group value, and what influence election.
• The study looks at the why of voting population
• Data come from group with low efficacy
• People believe it has change
• People are misinformed of the system and believe their vote doesn't matter
• There's a belief in the election process to vote

Voter Statistics

• 27% Latino will not vote low population.
• 51% might vote and need information.
• There groups to use to get Latino to vote
• Mentions of matter 2012
• People to help get the votes
• Family is important
• Untapped latino structure
• State and county education
• Political make latino welcome
• Civics group push to encourage
• Election group focus on political party.

Political Party Goals

• There are different party goals to increase vote
• It can be hard to get the parties aligned with your interests.
• Parties may have different groups and people you disagree with .
• Be politically active but it appeals to all .
• Create a separate political party by Claudia
• Create RUP/ MAYO
• Activist belief
• Seen as controlled by upper class
• Texas was controlled by whites even when controlled by the democrats.
• Office Latino
• Ru Party for election
• Run statewide on office .

Views and Alliances

• Different view on political tactics.
• No way to go after election
• Many activist eventually join the main stream
• Latino to go after political parties for concede.
• Many Latinos moved to democratic election support
• Democratic party was barely recognized .
• Democratic Latino to fully committed support

Studies

• Studies on political party is strong or weakly support
• Demo 61% voter
• Rebuilding support for either political side
• Latino part is independent of among citizens
• No agreement on residence
• Political values are from their parents universally
• However this theory is based on Black and white American.
• Not a strong connection politically for Latinos.

Election Voters

• In made Latino voter a extremy contest
• Values, social and religion were all emphasized.
• Election response with invest.
• Election reach a low and pushed and pulls people a low.
• Push and pulls factor for California.

RUP Movement

• Undemocratic towards political elections
• High voted registration happened fast
• Wilson claimed undocumented
• Whether factor help and make influence

Political Influence

• Election to vote and more influence in election
• Moderate support
• Look at sources which way
• Religion/ Culture important look
• Status important to see immigration
• Ideology to look which is better
• People have good idea but vote democrat

Elections

• Hard for some Republican to win
• Changes of Election change over time
• How election view government
• Party affiliation changed over time
• How liberal graphs came to be show the vote in graphs.
• Agreed that Latino is more eco friendly
• View more for civil laws
• Support come less from them
• Latino is to mobilize vote

Vote

• To give thoughts on what can be cause from candidate.
• Wilson election and support as to turn to be a issue or candidate
• Campaign backfires due to party lines.
• Campaigned for re electing to give pro on prop
• Bush defeat election
• To reach them to talk about Latino to help
• Radio was used for spanish to speech and endorsed
• Give facts and for political candidate stand
• Negative on Latino votes
• All show result which can to be show.
• People had feel to give a vote

Latino Vote

• Show what can cause voter to give opinion to others.
• Give impact of Latino elections and why vote happen.