The Education of Latinos: Apartness and Diversity

Why ignore the largest minority? Apartheid means “apartness”, and it separated South African society in racial groups. The National Party established laws and policies concerning races which kept them apart from each other. Why did it work? How was a minority able to dictate legislation and policies against a majority? In the United States, Latinos are the largest minority. For more than a few reasons, Latinos have been vastly “separated” from the economic, social, political powers in the United States.

First, the lack of a unified political and social voice may have been one of the factors the ruling class in South Africa reigned at ease for such a long time. Am I talking about South Africa or am I referring to the present-day mindset of a minority who has the numbers but are divided to the core, socially, historically, and politically speaking?

Culturally, we party together and even celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the same events but keep each other at a distance when it is time to stand up for an issue which affects party line ideologies.

Politically, our interests are also diverse. Our alliances are split in half. While this is unique as compared to other minorities, the search for the center in right and left ideologies is a process, but it is key in our struggles as a community. The tug-of-war in search of a center is necessary. A more united voice can do much more for our issues as a community.

Second, there is a coalition of minorities who are using the term diversity to justify political appointments, administrative positions in academic institutions and other high-level positions in education and other areas of influence.

The justification in principle is valid, but the alienation of Latinos within the coalition is conspicuous. While diversity holds minorities, women, people of color and gender preferences together, Latino: Diversity. As a result, the “coalition” takes advantage of how much Latinos embrace the term even if it is used against them.

Third, when Latinos migrate to the United States, many relocate with the political haphazardness of their countries of origin. The political preferences are based on “fear” of what the United States may become rather than how to vote centered around issues, ideas, and a political platform.

When they hear the noise from the political rhetoric in the media of right and left, they are confused, and sometimes are indecisive about voting and participating in the political process. Why ignore the largest minority? Simple, we are divided!

As a teacher in a Central Florida high school, I work directly with recently arrived Latinos. I am hopeful that the younger generation coming up will have the ability to look beyond the debate and discussions and construct a bridge, reach across the aisle, and simply examine and identify ways we Latinos can work together to help solve problems.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King stated the following: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Of course, MLK was not only thinking about Blacks and Whites, but the same principle applies to Latinos as well.

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