A Divided Latino Community

By Nisie

The Latino vote has been heavily sought after by the Democratic Party since the 60’s, but the modern Latino vote looks very different today. Over time, shifting demographics and diverse social backgrounds have led to a Latino community with a broad spectrum of political priorities and values. For some, economic opportunity outweighs issues like immigration policy. The party line has almost severed the Latino community into two separate pieces. According to exit polls, 55% of Latinos in the state of Texas voted for President Trump. Those on the other side of the ticket point to the President's inhumane immigration policies as to why a Latino voting for Donald Trump was like a knife in the back to the community - to some, a Latino for Trump is a traitor. Social, economic, and generational perspectives fuel the division further. Such polarization can weaken collective advocacy, making it harder for the community to push for shared interests and leaving them more vulnerable to political neglect. That kind of polarization has a lasting impact and eventually harms an already underrepresented community.

                Today, the divide in the Latino community is ever widening; the divide is not just along party lines, but sometimes those on the same side cannot find common ground. Within the Democrat party, advocating for Latino candidates and policies that fit within the existing political mainstream is viewed as “weak advocacy” by those who lean farther left. The ongoing debate between incremental change and radical reform casts a dark shadow over Democrats. Latino Democrats who are more focused on stability and believe progress is gradual recognize the political long game that must be played to gain influence in municipal seats. However, others in the community view incremental change as problematic; some believe it means toning down calls for social justice or economic change to fit in with white-dominated power structures. Latino Democrats with a more liberal perspective argue that the lack of radical action perpetuates inequality and even aligns Latinos with white supremacy. Some may call rhetoric like that “radical, but small groups like the Action Network in Fort Worth, Texas, are calling for “new Latino leadership” and pointing their fingers at Latino elected officials in Tarrant County, accusing them of being “weak Latino leadership” and aligning politicians like Latinos on the Fort Worth City council with white supremacy and accusing them of assimilation. Hard lines are being drawn by Democrats in Tarrant County and all over the country, but will the extreme divide help or hurt Democrats on voting Day?

            There are some challenging elections ahead for Democrats, for Tarrant County, all eyes are on Allysa Simmons and Tim’ O Hare for Tarrant County Judge. According to the Fort Worth Report, Alyssa Simmons got 62% of the party’s vote, compared to Tim O’ Hare who got almost 90% of the Republican vote in the primaries. If Democrats cannot bridge that difference, they could lose the upcoming election in November.

            If the goal for Democrats is to have control of the commissioner’s court and beyond then they might have to play together as a team against the Republicans.