Perspective
By Robert Castañeda 

    It has been said that eighty-percent of life is simply showing up. I did just that, and may I say a little bit more on a recent trip to Washington D.C. representing the Neighborhood House Association (NHA) of San Diego at the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Institute Conference. NHA is California’s premier Head Start Service Provider serving San Diego’s children and their families for nearly a century and I am honored to serve on their Board of Directors.

    President Obama’s Administration was well represented at this conference with many of his Cabinet and other national VIP’s in attendance. Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Labor, Hilda Solis; Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner; Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar; Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius; Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano and many others. The highlight of the trip was an unscheduled visit and rousing oratory by President Obama and the lovely First Lady, Michelle.

    I soaked up a wealth of information on this Administration’s fighting of childhood obesity, increasing health-care access for Latinos, increasing educational funding for our children, increasing small business lending and progress on comprehensive immigration reform legislation. When compared to the last Administration the differences are both significant and vitally important to Latinos. However, towards the end of the conference, I was struck with a single fearful thought: What if Latinos do not vote in high numbers this November? How far will our community be set back?

    There were some of my paisanos that were upset with the President because he promised real immigration reform out of the Congress; that hope is still to be realized and these same critics give that as the single reason that Latinos may not vote in high numbers this November. I said to them then, and I say it loudly now: “Engagement in the Democratic process is the only solution for our community and those who threaten the opposite are simply wrong and will certainly damage the future hopes and aspirations of Latinos, their families and our community more than they will ever know.”

    We, as Latinos must realize our power is at the ballot box; not simply at the cash registers.

    I am a young man no longer, and with my age comes a modicum of wisdom. For years, I have heard and read the plea to our community in order to get our vote out: “Su voto es su voz!” Truer words have never been spoken, but to that end I say: “My friend, you don’t vote, you don’t count!” You, I, our families, our entire community; we all don’t count and we all are left behind when you don’t show up on election-day. Simply ask former Latino candidates for Mayor in both the cities of National City and Chula Vista.

    Let me give you another example. Recently, I was in the check-out line at my local Ross store buying a shirt. Now Ross, like many other retailers has a large Latino patronage, and it is not rare to hear Spanish spoken by customers and employees alike. In the line directly behind me at Ross were two older Caucasian women appalled that Spanish was being spoken in their store and it didn’t take long for them to transition into the subject of illegal immigration. You can guess what their perspectives and beliefs were given that subject; I thought I was in Arizona!

    As I contemplated about saying something to them, I asked myself about recent polling that reflects some of these same hateful beliefs: Why are the opinions of these people more powerful and influential than mine and other people that believe as I do that the Arizona law is disastrous and fair comprehensive immigration reform in this country is necessary?

    THESE PEOPLE VOTE!

    It’s that simple. I can truly understand why most people are turned off by politics and politicians; after nearly fourteen years in public service under three Gubernatorial Administrations, I do understand a certain distaste that people have for the process, and the people that run it, but remember my friends, never let perfect be the enemy of good.

    My fellow Latinos, enough excuses, let’s all do the work our families and communities need; champion your beliefs and dreams at the ballot box this November. Our future depends on it.

Robert Castaneda, Consumer Market Research Analyst, Profile Research & Marketing.