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Editor's Note:
Bertha Ramos is editor of the opinion section of CNN en Español.
Multiplatform content supervisor, head of the entertainment unit and special segments.
With more than 20 years of journalistic experience, he was a correspondent for RCN and worked at the UPI news agency.
She was a producer on TVE, HBO, E!
Entertainment Television, A&E, History Channel, Reuters and Caracol Radio.
Winner of an Emmy Award.
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author alone.
See more opinions at cnne.com/opinion.
(CNN Spanish) -
Regarding the electoral environment that is exacerbated by the debates and the proximity of the presidential elections in the United States, I frequently hear discussions about the “Latino vote”.
There is talk of the presence and participation of Hispanics in the race, of their electoral apathy and, of course, the importance of their vote is mentioned (for the first time, we will be the second most important ethnic or racial group in a presidential election with 32 million potential voters).
But I wonder: can we put all Latinos in the same drawer and give them the same message if even among the same nationalities there are so many differences depending on the geographical place we represent within our countries of origin?
Not all of us who speak Spanish are Mexican
I remember the YouTube video of a Colombian who, as a result of the popularity of narco soap operas that have the Paisa accent (characteristic of people born in the Department of Antioquia in Colombia), called it "Not all Colombians speak like this" .
In the video, in a very funny way, he imitated the accents of those who live on the coast or in the center of the country, among other regions, showing through the way of speaking and sayings the variety and richness of the beautiful culture Colombian.
And that is just one example, let's imagine what it can be in the US, where Latinos are an amalgam of customs and interests and, as if that were not enough, the generational and socioeconomic issue also enters the equation.
Apparently, the "Anglo" citizen -in general- sees it in a simpler way.
That is why it is a reason for scorn among Latinos to say that not all of us who speak Spanish are Mexican, nor do we all celebrate May 5 (which, by the way, is not the commemoration of the independence of Mexico).
Speaking a few words in Spanish or going to a Latin restaurant doesn't win over the electorate.
And if we review the interests when going to the polls, many politicians would be surprised to realize that not all ... we want the same thing, and that with a single message and / or promise it is very difficult to attract the coveted "Latino vote" that over time has increased in key states such as Florida and Arizona.
In the first, for example, 2 out of every 10 citizens eligible to vote is Hispanic.
And here comes another factor to consider ...
Not all of us who speak Spanish think and want the same
What an American of Mexican origin expects may be very different from what a Venezuelan, Colombian or Cuban yearns for.
Venezuelans - mostly - are first generation in this country, so they are still closely linked to what happens in their homeland and that is why they are inclined to what a candidate can offer in this regard.
On the other hand, Cuban-Americans, especially the first generation, follow the same pattern of supporting the Republican Party, although the new generations have timidly modified this trend.
While the rest of Hispanics, blacks and Asians continue to lean towards the Democratic Party.
Furthermore, Latino or not, we are already citizens of this country and we care what happens here, if Obamacare will continue, if there will be an immigration reform or if there will be greater diversity and inclusion.
In short, each presidential election offers different scenarios, and this one - without a doubt - will be unique, in the midst of a global pandemic and with a divided country, and with two antagonistic candidates in the most diverse aspects.
It will be difficult for them to understand that not all of us listen to bachata, dance cumbia or sing rancheras or ask for a straw, straw, straw, sorbet, cane, reed, calimete or bombilla = “straw”.
Do you understand?
It is not the same, nor is it the same
For the electoral message to get through, politicians and strategists should know us better.
Take a real interest in our community and create campaigns directed at each group;
read Cuban exiles, new generation of Cubans, Mexicans, Colombians, Central Americans, etc.
Where we come from?
Why are we here?
What moves us to vote? What affects us?
This is basic.
Campaigns should include more ordinary Latinos who provide answers to these questions.
On the other hand, it must be understood that many Hispanics suffer from an “inherited” distrust in politics, due to so many unfulfilled promises by the current rulers.
Here and there.
And as if that weren't enough, the language barrier remains.
What a stage!
The perfect conspiracy against Hispanic participation at the polls.
Of the Latinos who could vote in 2016, 47.6% did.
While the participation of blacks was almost 60% and 65.3% among whites.
But, it seems that this time the electoral environment has boosted Hispanic participation.
According to the most recent figures, early voting in Florida has so far increased 3% from the 2016 race.
So we hope that the proposals for Hispanics - which are in short supply by the way - will be more tailored.
It would be very respectful ... and effective not to put us all in the same bag even if they are the same ballot boxes for everyone.
Please!
Elections 2020 United States