Topics such as Diversity and Inclusion are big in 2021. The lack of POC is being brought to light in employment offices, C-Suites, and in classrooms. But it’s time to address the reality – why Latino stories (aka Systemic Racism) are affecting Latino communities, and what we are going to do to fix it.
If you’re Latino, then yes, this has affected you your entire life and you never noticed, or maybe you did and learned to function around it.
Latino perspectives are profound and it’s time our communities have those hard conversations, with ourselves and with our loved ones. We have accepted the perpetuated systems that say, “the same Latinos who receive low income housing also receive lower quality education.” This system keeps Latino communities down, because lack of education and lack of knowledge feeds into systemic racism.
We deserve more than a secondary education.
This is why Latinos don’t trust a free vaccine. The U.S. system was not built to benefit us. The system was created to keep Latinos out. It’s why we must explain time and time again why your vote matters and now, why being vaccinated matters. We still have to explain why Latino’s are an asset to a staffing job.
When the laws were first created, immigration was made about race. There was no structure. If you were Latino and undocumented, you were to be caught and that has been built into the systems that are carried into today.
We need more Latino’s in a position of political power to assist in changing the laws. It creates the space for opportunities we deserve.
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Police systems were created to catch slaves. Texas Rangers were created to catch Latino Immigrants. Our history must be visible for us to get ahead. We are not perpetual foreigners.
We are people. The People.
Immigration is not just about being undocumented. This affects all Latinos. In 2015, 65% of Latinos were born in the United States, meaning the majority are not immigrants anymore.
However, we are not recognizing that this is not just a legal issue, it’s an economic issue. We have heard this non-stop through the pandemic. If only one family member is an immigrant, it affects the entire family for generations. The more barriers you place in front of people, the harder it is to get ahead.
This is not about turning the subject to white Americans, and taking away from them. The mindset of, “If you progress, opportunities are being taken away from me.” was created by White Supremacy and curates fear in what doesn’t exist.
Too many people racialize Latinos as an inferior group that doesn’t deserve equal opportunity. Our stories must be told, and our history must be recognized so younger generations can have a better system that values them and their work ethic in the future.
Jessica Velle reports on entertainment, politics, social media and stories relevant to the Latinx community. She can be reached at Jessica@reel360.com.
