September is Latino heritage month. CNN is launching Latino in America with editorial content similar to the series, Black in America. I may not have the eight most popular last name of, “Garcia” but I qualify to tell you what it’s like to be Latino.
Growing up in the Texas Hill Country was an imprint experience that has stayed with me to this day. It has helped me by giving me a point of reference I can always access when faced with racism and discrimination.
My very best friends in grade school were not Hispanics they were very Lilly white German Americans. Yup, it was a simple time where people were down to earth and hard work and friendliness were the only two traits you needed to fit in.
I have been blessed to have lived in very diverse cities in Texas and by far the Houston/Pasadena region is the more racist and discriminating. I have experienced racial profiling being pulled over just because of my skin color and being ticketed. I wished I could have had a beer summit with the police officer who reached into my wallet to take my money.
Houston is a city bulging with immigrants from all over the world. Hispanics are now the majority in this metroplex that have contributed to building a robust economic engine.
As I interact with ethnic groups from India, Pakistan, Korea, or Latin America, I empathize with their drive to build a better life for themselves and their future generations.
Corporate America is attempting to advertise and market their products and services to my demographic as well as my children. As a purchasing block we spend more than Canada’s GNP.
The fight for civil rights and equality for Hispanics is far from over and we will need many to step up to the task. I have met some of the old civil rights veterans for this area. They are tired yet hopeful that the new educated professional generation will continue the fight.
Personally speaking, fighting is not my thing. In this day and age the power of the Tweet is more powerful than the sword. So till this project ends I will strive to bring you the news you don’t read about in old media, the industry I come from.
