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REGION: Obama appeals for Latino vote
Democratic senator says comprehensive immigration reform would be a top priority
By EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | ∞
Supporters and members of the San Diego Minutemen protested Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center during a National Council of La Raza gathering where Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke. (Photo by Don Boomer - Staff Photographer) 
Hundreds filled an overflow room at the San Diego Convention Center on Sunday to hear to Sen. Barack Obama speak to the National Council of La Raza. Republican Sen. John McCain will speak to the group Monday. (Photo by Don Boomer - Staff Photographer) SAN DIEGO ---- Sen. Barack Obama told a crowd of more than 2,000 Latinos on Sunday that comprehensive immigration reform would be a top priority if he wins the presidency in November.
The Illinois Democrat also suggested that Latino voters hold the keys to the White House.
"You hold this election in your hands," he said.
Obama received several standing ovations during his half-hour speech before the National Council of La Raza at the San Diego Convention Center.
The loudest cheers came when he criticized enforcement efforts such as immigration raids.
"When nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing, when people are detained without access to legal counsel, when all that is happening, the system just isn't working and we need to change it," Obama said.
Several North County communities are on the frontline of the immigration debate. Escondido, for example, has generated national attention for its failed effort to create an ordinance banning landlords from renting to illegal immigrants.
Local anti-illegal immigration groups such as the San Diego Minutemen also have made headlines for their sidewalk protests against day laborers in various North County communities.
With an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country, the immigration debate pits those who contend that illegal immigrants are a burden on local governments and those who say they help fuel the country's economic engine.
Obama appeared to address those issues when he called for an end to "hateful rhetoric" against undocumented immigrants and vowed to tackle the issue in his first year as president.
Several North County residents who attended the event said they liked what they heard.
"The message behind his speech was very empowering," said Andres Martin, a high school counselor and president of the Beca Foundation, an Escondido-based organization that gives scholarships to Latino students. "It was a message of change."
Outside the convention center, dozens of San Diego Minutemen and other anti-illegal immigration activists said the group is a racist organization for what they called its "pro-Mexico, pro-amnesty agenda for illegal aliens."
In recent weeks, Obama and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, have heavily courted the Latino vote, making speeches at high-profile gatherings such as the League of United Latin American Citizens conference earlier this month.
The campaigns are appealing for the up to 10 million Latinos expected to vote in the presidential election, according to La Raza President Janet Murguia.
Many of those voters live in key swing states such as Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida.
McCain is scheduled to speak at the La Raza conference Monday.
Both candidates supported a failed immigration reform bill last year that included a plan for legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants.
But they have criticized each other on the issue in recent months.
McCain has charged that Obama was largely absent from bipartisan negotiations to draft the measure.
Obama criticized McCain on Sunday for later withdrawing his support for the bill and instead backing calls for strong border security measures first.
Former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin, a prominent Latino McCain supporter, dismissed Obama's criticism during a telephonic news conference Sunday morning.
"The reality is that Senator McCain is the one senator that basically went against his own party, took the standard bearer for immigration reform," Marin said. "I think that needs to be fully recognized. Senator McCain did it at great political peril."
Several recent polls show Obama leading McCain among Latino voters.
However, most Latinos voted for Sen. Hillary Clinton during this year's Democratic presidential primaries.
Ruth Manzano, an Elfin Forest resident who attended Obama's speech, was among those who supported Clinton. She said her ideal presidential ticket would include the New York senator as vice president.
"I think he can make change, but he needs Hillary in the package," Manzano said of Obama. "Hillary has the experience."
In other campaign news, Obama told The Associated Press that he expects to be accompanied on battlefront tours of Iraq and Afghanistan by two fellow senators who are military veterans and potential running mates.
Sens. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., are experts on foreign policy, Obama said. Hagel served as an Army sergeant in Vietnam and was twice wounded in 1968, earning two Purple Hearts.
Reed, a West Point graduate, was an Army Ranger and paratrooper.
"They reflect, I think, a traditional bipartisan wisdom when it comes to foreign policy. Neither of them are ideologues but try to get the facts right and make a determination about what's best for U.S. interests ---- and they're good guys," Obama said.
He also said there is "little doubt we've moved into recession" and reiterated a call for second economic stimulus package, steps to shore up the housing market and a long-term energy policy.
Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.
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oliveoyl wrote on Jul 13, 2008 9:21 PM:Wonderful (sarcasm).... two presidential candidates who care nothing about enforcing the laws of our country and are influenced by the ideology of LaRaza. It is crystal clear these candidates care nothing about the violent gangs,drugs, human slaves, and a multitude of uneducated people that the American taxpayer is providing services for. They make me sick!
Martin wrote on Jul 13, 2008 9:32 PM:As long as they are US CITIZENS, I say vote for whomever you want. The reality is, polling places do not employ trained immigration inspectors and consequently couldn't tell a Klingon national from an American. Oh, you don't think so?
EscoWatchDog wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:26 PM:What a beautiful event. This conference for La Raza (the people) and trust me, there were all kinds of people there, brown, black, white, you name it. The anti-hispanics are panicking because they are proven more wrong each passing day. They continue to say they are not racist but have signs that cross out the mexican flag, or have a cartoon boy urinating on "La Raza" and even one man shouting "f-you brown boy!" to a teenager. You cannot fool America because we see how hateful the minutemen groups and their supporters really are. Kudos to the NCLR for putting on this great conference and bringing so many resources, publicity, people and money to San Diego. We needed this!
lynn wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:35 PM:Pander pander pander. These candidates obviously are counting on illegals voting. We have laws in this country that aren't being enforced and these candidates will continue that. Unbelievable!
singa song wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:59 PM:I like to be in America, ok by me in america, everything free in Amereeeca. Promise me anything to get elected in Amereeeca.This is the end for Amereeeeeeeeeca.
Poll worker to Martin wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:14 AM:The job of poll workers is to facilitate the election process in every way allowed. The registrars offices decide which votes will be counted. If you are concerned, that's where you need to look. We are just middlemen/middlepersons. Our opinions only count once, just like everyone else.
Pieter wrote on Jul 14, 2008 3:05 AM:A black presidential candidate sucking up to a gathering of brown racists whose goal it is to breed out the white man to advance the bronze race. America is indeed a multi racial society.
US wrote on Jul 14, 2008 5:27 AM:You may as well legalize prostitution because that is what these two candidates are doing! I guess they will now have to appear at a Klan rally.
Roberto wrote on Jul 14, 2008 5:40 AM:I know, I know....have the mm ask us for ID when we go to vote.
I see Obama wrote on Jul 14, 2008 6:27 AM:isn't keeping up with current events. He claims there are still only 12 million illegal aliens here and that there is no way to deport that many people. He should ask Oklahoma, Georgia and Arizonia, how did you do that?????? Another thing in his speech he says it is not right for ICE to break up families and deport people that just want to work and in the next breath says it is business that is at fault hiring these poor people. Geeee....his speech has me going around and around so much I am dizzy.
Tearing babies wrote on Jul 14, 2008 6:43 AM:from their mothers? Come on. How about the legal babies, of ALL races, that have to wait in pain at the Emergency Rooms because of illegals using them as a clinic. How about legal babies, of ALL races, that can't get an educatioon because of having to slow classes to teach English. It goes on and on. Legal immigration GREAT. Illegal, SLAM the door shut!
Why wrote on Jul 14, 2008 6:48 AM:doesn't La Raza fight this hard for rights in Mexico so the people they "represent" don't have to move their families illegally to a different country? If they really cared tey would. Like all activist they are looking for a free ride spreading fear etc. Let's put them on the terrorist list and freeze their assets and see what they do. They are trying to destroy this country.
Senor McCain and Senor wrote on Jul 14, 2008 6:58 AM:Obama, the Viet Cong and the KKK would like you both to attend their meetings. Senor Obama, marshmellows will be provided.
Guy wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:20 AM:I think that it is wonderful that they have these meeting for Latinos. It helps them decide who they should vote for and all they have to do is follow the leader. I am an AMERICAN from Italian descent, when is Hussein going to pander to my group. I think it is called El Macaroni. Please come by because I am not smart enough to decide who I should vote for without my “leaders” telling me. THX!
HernandezUSA wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:44 AM:The "La RAZA" or the Racists nation.
We know why Obama is pandering to the Racists ans he and his wife are both racists themselves and giving the butt another like minded people makes them feel better about themselves.
Why in GODS name is Ma Cain kissing their back side? Is he so desperate that he is willing to throw America away just to get voted or is he so removed from the common man/women that he has no clue whom he is truly dealing with.
Will someone please mail/fax/e-mail all the media including McCain that these Latino groups like " LA Raza" are no better then the KKK? The information is all over internet/Utube and their website on how they want to forcefully take over the USA and kill all non-Latinos!
Martin wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:45 AM:I created a fictitious person on an application to register to vote. I even stated that this person WAS NOT a US Citizen. I just wanted to see what would happpen (if anything). Well a few weeks later my imaginary person was a registered voter!!
To EscoSpinner wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:45 AM:Watch out now, the NCLR decided to get together and redefine the divisive name of their group so it won't imply that their only purpoase is to promote a Hispanic aganda to the dtetriment of American taxpayers. Definition: "La Raza" from FreeOnline Dictionary means: "Mexicans or Mexican Americans considered as a group, sometimes extending to all Spanish-speaking people of the Americas". You can lie all you want Esco, we know better.
Anglo wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:02 AM:We get the government we deserve, as a group. If that means a Third World country courtesy of La Raza sponsorship, that is what it means. That someone like Hussein Obama could even be a serious contender demonstrates how badly Republicans have messed up. Vote them all out of office on both sides of the isle.
Peter wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:09 AM:As an AMERICAN of Hispanic ancestry I find this kind of pandering, especially to a group that promotes ethnicity over respect for sovereignty, to be deplorable. The candidates should be focused on what is good for the country, not on telling separate groups how their interests will be promoted by the candidate.
No vote wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:13 AM:And this is why nobody votes anymore, can't choose the lesser of two evils...
The Time Has Come wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:24 AM:Based on these deplorable actions by the two candidates for president, and on numerous news shows yesterday morning, I believe the time has come for a third party run. The reality is that it probably wouldn't work, of course. There are too many uneducated voters, and too many looking for the handouts from big brother, who will vote for whomever they are told to. But still, a strong third party showing might just wake somebody up and maybe start a new movement in this country. Regards, C-1.
RG wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:32 AM:Obama says "comprehensive immigration reform" would be his top priority. What does THAT mean? Could be anything between deporting illegals to giving every illegal automatic citizenship. The clue to the answer, and the clue to La Raza intentions, was when the loudest cheers came when he CRITICIZED enforcement efforts such as immigration raids. Obama has lost any chance of getting my vote.
Choices choices wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:38 AM:who will I vote for Senor Diablo McCain or Senor Satan Obama?
Patriot wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:49 AM:So "nursing mothers are torn from their babies" by our government? C'mon Obama, this is not reality! What we do see every day is blatant disregard for our immigration and labor laws, overcrowded schools and emergency rooms, and a huge burden borne by the American taxpayer. Americans have and always will welcome legal immigrants who respect and embrace our laws, common language, and culture. There are plenty of these people now patiently waiting in line to immigrate. For the impatient millions who came in illegally and gamed the system to stay here, Obama would like to offer them the ultimate payday, a lifetime of government benefits and the same opportunity for their relatives, in return for paying a modest fine. No apology required for the immigrants they cut in front of or the taxpayers they took advantage of.
DLR wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:00 AM:This isn't about color, it's about money and power. Look at what the black leadership has done for the black population of Detroit in the last ten years. Google that mess. laraza does not care about the Mexicans who came to the US legally. Everything they stand for is a slap in the face to true Americans from Mexico. I'm sure their racist leadership would like to cut the n*ts off anyone that encourages the Mexican population to think for themselves since that would put an end for the "need" (and dry up the hate money) of such racist organizations.
Has the FBI wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:04 AM:Investigated the racist hate group La Raza and if not, WHY?
liberaljim wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:09 AM:These acerbic and hateful responses to Obama's speech to La Raza prove one thing. The real issue isn't illegal immigration, it's all about raw bigotry. It doesn't even reflect the attitude of most Americans. Poll results in the latest issue of a prominent news magazine indicates only 3% of Americans consider illegal immigration an important issue. You can scream all you want folks, but you're doing nothing but raising your own blood pressure. Calm down.
I believe La Raza wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:50 AM:has unknowingly created another backlash. Everybody write or call your Congresmen.
A Legal Alien wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:51 AM:What a slap in the face to those of us who followed the law and did what it required us to do enabling us to enter and stay in this great country. We waited in line, got our vaccinations, proved our ability to support ourselves and our families and took an oath to be responsible taxpaying citizens. Obama basically is saying that those who didn't follow the law, sneaked into the country, don't pay taxes and use the education, health and welfare system without contributing will be rewarded. He just pandered his way out of the votes from all of us legal aliens. Guess we will have to look at that Baldwin guy...
She Said wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:51 AM:If the past is any indication, their are undercover FBI agents close to leadership positions in the organization.
Bobby wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:05 AM:I like how Members of La Raza call the Minutemen Racists... Look at the picture taken of the MM, I see a few peoples of latin descent in that picture... No white people in the La Raza though.... Whos really the racists!
Asteroid wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:10 AM:See how liberals do it; abortion=choice, illegal alien=immigramt. Check out this guy EscoWatchDog, he's goona re-translate the spanish language. "The People" sounds better than the original translation; the race.
Obamma lost a vote wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:19 AM:This guy is a bag of wind and that is it.
Total BS.
I liked the guy before, but now he is just another pandering fool.
Karl wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:34 AM:The Time Has Come
[-] wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:24 AM:
I'm with you C-1. We'll have to move the mountain one shovel full at a time but we can do it. I have convinced several of my friends (of both big parties) that this is the thing to do.
HOW TERRIBLE. . . wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:40 AM:children torn from their parents!
Yes, but that was at the docks when the marines and sailors were deployed. You don't hear these wives and husbands complaining. To them it's just part of their job. It was understood when they went into the military(evidently a job no American would do!) If the illegals don't want to be separated from their offspring, then they shouldn't put their offspring in that precarious position. Amen.
Senor Obama wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:46 AM:another group has asked for you to come and give a speech, they say they have been oppressed by Americans and need your help, they promise that their people that have illegally crossed the border into America will vote for you. Al Qaeda.
If McCain Obama wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:50 AM:and Mayor Sanders can't figure out what La Raza is about, I don't want them in any seat of authority.
I KNEW wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:51 AM:Ed Sifuentes would write this biased article. I could not wait to get online this morning and check out his version of the "news" from the racist la raza.
Karl wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:58 AM:The voting block that is being ignored right now are the people who stood in line and are standing in line to becoume legal citizens of the US. I would love to see this group organize. I wonder how our two nominees and most of our elected officials would address their concerns. They would probably trip over themselves back pedaling in their support for groups like La Raza. I like to call them La Raspberry because that is exactly what they are giving us legal citizens.
sojourn wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:00 AM:Why are most media outlets not posting this part of his speech?
"-when communities are terrorized by ICE immigration raids"
Law enforcement are now terrorists, does he not believe in the rule of law?
So the change is illegal immigration runs rampant and it should be encouraged & cops are criminals....got it, have you gotten it America?
SanMarcosMom wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:05 AM:These 2 presidential candidates are traitors to their own country. As a republican, I can't choke down a vote for McCain. What a non-choice this election! It just makes me sick. Stand up for LEGAL immigration. I'm all for that as my husband entered this country the right way. But the last amnesty of millions of illegal aliens didn't shut the door. This one won't either. I'm tired of giving away benefits when our own legal citizens are in need.
Dave wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:08 AM:"When nursing mothers are torn from their babies..." Oh come on! The question is: does Obama really believe this nonsense or is he simply out to get the Hispanic vote? Either way it was a disgraceful scene at the La Raza revival yesterday. It's very simple...The people we're talking about here are ILLEGAL immigrants. ILLEGAL! And neither candidate is willing to do anything about it. What a mess!
casey wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:21 AM:an illegal will get your job!! they work cheap and the quality is cheap.
if they already haven't.
they fill your hospitals so they are overwhelmed and have to close.
they will take your children's jobs.
they inundate your schools and your children can't get an education.
they cost billions in crime and drugs.
AMERICANS ARE STUPID!
McCain and Obama wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:30 AM:you pander to 2,000 and lose how many voters out of 30 million? You two are definetly not presidential material.
Bill One wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:49 AM:I looked at La Raza's web site and they translate the word Raza to mean "the People". But I looked up on 5 diffrent english/spanish translation web sites that same word. All 5 said the word raza means "race".
anotherview wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:28 PM:Foremost, illegal aliens have no right to live and work in America. Both Mac and BHO, as lawmakers, must acknowledge this fundamental. Yet, while seeking national office both of these candidates will pander to voters in the Mexican-American community for their support. Meanwhile, ICE under the law must identify and detain illegal aliens (including criminal aliens and fugitive aliens) for their due deportation. This federal law enforcement activity nationwide grows from the principle that good citizens obey the law, and expect others to do the same. Americans rightly take pride in their nation as one of laws. Of course, Mexican-Americans will show a social bias favoring illegal aliens, in part because many of them descend from illegal aliens. Nevertheless, this natural social bias induces a winking at the illegal status of Mexican foreign nationals, ignoring their widespread negative impacts to society. If a citizen puts America first, then this winking at the law amounts to an unpatriotic action, by setting a social bias above the nation’s interests. In turn, by pandering to individuals who actively hold this social bias, both Mac and BHO in effect applaud its inherent lack of patriotism, while also themselves winking at its resulting negative outcomes. Hence, the simple question presents itself: Once in office, will the winner of the election continue pandering to a social bias or instead uphold and enforce the laws of the land regarding immigration? The Bush II administration finally began enforcing federal immigration law about a year ago. This enforcement aims to stop the hiring of illegal aliens and to remove illegal aliens from the country. Will the next president follow this lead?
Concerned One wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:29 PM:Thanks Karl. I'm dead serious about voting for a third party. These two clowns deserve what they will get, a country that's not only financially bankrupt, but also intellectually and morally bankrupt as well. Thanks Dems and Repubs, I'm through. Regards, C-1.
Mexicat wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:35 PM:I don't agree with NCLR but to cpmpare them to the klan the riech is stupid. NCLR doesn't drag people from thier cars or burn crosses. Pure fantasy for you guys.
I agree wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:37 PM:I have been a republican all of my life until now. We want a third party canidate!
Once the banks wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:03 PM:collapse how are we suppose to give the illegals their free money? Or will it be every man for himself? Survival of the Fittest?
David wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:14 PM:"La Raza" means "The Race" but it means more than that to this group. It means "The Brown Race" It is a racist group that hides its bad deeds with good deeds - much like organized drug king pin heads. Don't be fooled. Mexico needs to solve its own problems. People need to be here legally and learn to speak English. The Mexican flag wavers need to wave their flag down South. Giving more rights to illegals than US citizens is stupid.
Alldone wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:20 PM:If anyone follows the real news --outside the United
States, you will see the entire world has written us off as a finished country. They are all moving their interest to the Mid-east. Thanks George!
KARL and C wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:28 PM:I'm with you. I'm throwing my support to the candidate who represents me. . . and that will be neither McCain nor Obamination. How about the rest of you voters. Are you with us?
From VA it is all wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:36 PM:over the country, the lame stream media doesn't need to report it, American now has a new breed of reporters, it is called the American Citizens. "McCain panders to La Raza (who won't vote for him) and loses his conservative base at the same time. This may well be the only man on the planet dumber than Obama!"
Just like pelosi wrote on Jul 14, 2008 2:55 PM:yes, we democrats have a plan it is an evryday plan (translated into english, We don't have a clue!) oSama oBama there are real concerns about someone who
-- refuses to debate for the presidency
-- doesn't know there are 50 states
-- thinks Spanish is an up & coming language
-- refuses to tell us what "changes" he has planned for us.
Mexicat wrote on Jul 14, 2008 3:54 PM:La Raza is used more as a term of affection, not racial. Yes, Raza does mean race but we use it as a slang. It's like saying "My fellow Americans".
Anyway, I'm not down with NCLR, my question is this: If it was 12 million illegal Chinese, would the NCLR be for immigration reform? Probaly not, they would be complaining about the lack of immigration enforcement.
Listen wrote on Jul 14, 2008 3:55 PM:Hello!! Listen to what Obama said before jumping to conclusions and pointing out only one part of his sentence. He said that what we've been doing has NOT been working and his plan is to change it. As a politician, he didn't give specifics either way, so please stop assuming you know exactly what he was thinking. Those at the conference assumed he was pledging his allegiance to them but no definites were ever given.
Their choice... wrote on Jul 14, 2008 4:08 PM:"When nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing,.." That happens to all criminals when they go to jail so why is it different for illegal immigrants? These people CHOSE to come here illegally. They know the risks. Nobody in America wants to take responsibility for themselves and their poor choices. It's always got to be someone else's fault. This has to stop.
I love the HYPOCRISY wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:00 PM:Today at the Convention Center a group of La Raza supporters were screaming, in Spanish, of course, at an Hispanic American who came to the US legally and served in the Armed Forces for 20 years as an American. They were calling him a coconut and a traitor. When I said American citizens don't see him as a traitor, they see a HERO. Then they began to scream, in English, this time, I AM an American!!! Okay, I asked, then WHY is he a traitor, a traitor against whom? They all resorted back to their original Spanish chorus of Traitor and Coconut. A VERY lovely, "intelligent" bunch of hypocrites with NEVER a rational argument.
Next Stop...rd World Status wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:52 PM:With the leadership we have, instead of a land of top tier intellect, we'll have bankrupt government with everyone looking for a handout.
Guess what La Raza? You want Mexico in the USA. You're getting it. It will be no better that south of the border.
I never thought I would see the U.S.A. crumble in my lifetime. It has already started.
Susan wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:41 PM:EscoWatchDog,
La Raza does not mean "The People", it means "The Race". If you're going to support something, know what you're talking about, okay? The People is La Gente and I don't even speak much Spanish! Don't you understand that Obama could care less about the Mexican people? He's just like any other politician and telling you what you want to hear. I say all is fair in love and war (and politics) just PLEASE be legal to vote, okay? This is America, the land of the free and home of the brave. Don't come here and try to change our heritage and values. We welcome everyone with open arms, except those who refuse to assimilate. Our ancestors came from Europe were thrilled to learn English!
Roberto wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:11 PM:The sky is falling, the sky is falling!
or is it the xenophobe is falling?
EscoWatchDog wrote on Jul 15, 2008 7:42 AM:Susan, you are wrong again. You don't speak Spanish so you don't know. Spanish words (some) are used in multiple context and this is one of those cases. You are trying to make this into a divisive race issue as if anyone was to believe a 40-year old civil rights organization would be racist to anyone. PLEASE!!!!!
You could have gone to this conference and attended many of the free workshops and resource fair...and seen for yourself. Instead, you just talk as if you know w/out really knowing. English is not the only language spoken here, before English, people spoke spanish and still continue to speak spanish and other language from native tribes. How ignorant of you to think people don't speak English just because they may speak an additional language.
To Susan wrote on Jul 15, 2008 12:34 PM:If you go to the La Raza web site, it says specifically, "The largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, NCLR works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans." Working only for Latinos and Hispanics may not make it a racist organization. But I wonder why La Raza does not call for MEChA to rename itself and denounce and repeal its Plan Espiritual de Aztlán, which reveals that organization's racist and separatist beginnings. Helping kids get into to college is admirable, but leaving that radical racist and separatist rhetoric out there is offensive to what America stands for. MEChA still clings to its Plan Espiritual de Aztlán as part of its heritage as if it is harmless. How about it, La Raza?
Clarification wrote on Jul 15, 2008 12:37 PM:Seems "Susan" is the correct one in the dispute with "Esco". The NCLR recently changed their web site in an attempt to rid themselves of the racial image by saying raza means people. A check of the web site for MEChA however, which identifies itself with La Raza still talks about "the race". The following excerpt is from the MEChA web site.
"La Raza" (The Race) is a broad term which refers to those whose ancestry is indigenous to the area of Mexico (or "Aztlan"). MEChA members refer to themselves as "La Raza" or "Raza," but the term itself is used to indicate camaraderie among those in different organizations with the same objectives. There are a number of organizations who consider themselves to be La Raza".
BO it stinks wrote on Jul 15, 2008 12:50 PM:Apparently "illegal" has many different meanings from English to spanish for the one's who want to believe being here without proper documents is their right.
Isn't it disgraceful to know that our candidates are more focused on the people outside of this country than the people of the USA.
Cow-towing to people that do not pay taxes and are not of this jurisdiction legally does not make a leader in my eyes, it makes a spineless mouthpiece who is willing to sell-out the USA for some votes.
Law wrote on Jul 15, 2008 2:24 PM:"nursing mothers are torn from their babies", CAN YOU SAY EXAGGERATION, PLAYING THE CROWD, AND OUTRIGHT LYING.
Down with Pandering wrote on Jul 15, 2008 3:23 PM:You two are starting to make Hillbilly seem like a saint.
Mexicat wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:06 AM:Rock group Journey has a song called "La raza del sol" does that make them racist?
US HISTORY wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:34 PM:The Europeans screwed the Indians, then the slaves and now the Mexicans<---see I had assimilated I know US history LOL. The editor did not publish my comment that I posted two days ago..it was all truth that's why he did not LOL.everything I wrote was 100% truth and then you call this newspaper neutral hahahaha!!
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