VivirLatino

It seems as though the Hispanic and Latino communities are willing to tackle any topic except for the outright racism against Afro-Latinos.
If Latinos of other races think that black Latinos aren't talking about it amongst themselves, they may someday be in for a rude awakening.
How often do you see a black face on Univisión or in Latino politics? Pretending that millions of people don't exist or contribute to society's fabric is either naïve or there's something else at work - racism.

I agree. But do you think that it's a contributing factor to Obama's low numbers among Latinos?

I would find it difficult to say that race isn't a factor for the Latino community.
While the selection of candidacy for a presidential election in the US will have an impact on Latinos everywhere, I still believe that there's plenty of soul-searching and discussion that must take place within the Latino community. Racism is a topic that needs to be put on the Latino table and expose it for the harm that it does to us as a people.
Just like North America, Latin America prospered on the backs of black people.

I was disappointed that Evo Morales didn't give black Bolivians any acknowledgement when he was interviewed on the Charlie Rose show.

The opportunities for politicians, artists and scholars to speak to the topic is there, but how much do we hear about it? Governments are changing, and social movements are growing, but racism remains a taboo topic.
Addressing it and finding ways to eradicate it will make us a better people; our credibility and stature will grow worldwide, and we can learn from the mistakes that others have made.
I hope that all people weigh Obama's suitability not because he had a black father, but because he can bring people together to stop the slide towards fascism.

If Obama is running behind with Latino voters, it's because he didn't reach out sooner. Hillary has been reaching out to Latinos voters for the last year.

Where was Obama last year when Hillary was here? It is the candidate's responsibility to WORK for somebody's vote. Instead we're geting called racist for not giving our vote away to somebody who didn't even think he had to campaign for it until he lost Nevada.

As a black man in America, I just wish latinos, whites, and really every human learn to judge a person based on what they know about them, not what they have heard from family or what they learn on tv. I have been labeled as lazy, unintelligent, and even dangerous. I have loved everyone I have met regardless of race or culture. My girlfriend is Dominican and even after all I have done for her and her family, her mother still talks to her about marrying someone of a lighter complexion "Complexion!!!". I guess our kids wont have the straight hair or blue eyes that her cousins have to be overwhelmingly accepted into their family. My girlfriend, at first, did not want to date me, because she said that she had no interest in dating black people, (based on the stereotype). Novelas, after watching them for two years, I am not sure but I finally understand. Her family now loves me, after finding out, that I am not (Getto... or whatever the hell that is supposed to mean), and how good of a man I am to her and her mom, despite the bias. I love all of her family and all of mis amigos latinos en Houston tambien. To be judged by my skin color based on a persons previous interactions with individuals of the same color is not fair, and is really inhumane. I am a very successful man, 27yrs old... based on hard work right beside latinos, blacks, and whites in mills and construction in high school. I graduated from college in Electrical Engineering and now design computer chips that help to keep people safe. Please, If i decide to wear a sweat suit and walk to the grocery store, dont look at me and protect your children or move your purse to the other shoulder. Generalizations are really killing this country, I only wish that one day people separate sterotype from proven character. One luv :)

I don't think that we as latinos should vote for a black candidate because obviously, once elected our interests will go right out the window and Mr. Hussein will pander to the blacks.

And I take offense to what the article says about so called
"black" latinos, most of us are NOT black, we are this color due to the fact that our indigenous ancestors had darker skin complexion due to the harsher sun in Latin American countries. They then were courted by the Spaniards who came. The two groups then mixed together and that's how the Hispanic population was born, from the union of indigenous people and Spaniards. I ask anyone who denies this to check the history books.

I never said most Latinos were black . I did say many Latinos are black. When you check your history book, make sure you don't skip over the part about slavery in the America's which included ::gasp:: Africans!

^^^Hahaha...^^^

'johncusack' is an ignoramus and yet another no one who likes to use the "I'm from Spain/I'm Spanish" escape valve!

"I never said most Latinos were black . I did say many Latinos are black." - Maegan la Mala Ortiz

...or of African lineage to some greater or lesser degree. Just as many so-called "Latinos" have the DNA of Europeans and "first/native Americans" in them (same can be said regarding most Black Americans in the USA).
Quisqueya (DR), Puerto Rico (PR), Brasil, Venezuela, Colombia, etc., etc....Haha...Everyone isn't just a "dark Mexican!"

Delusional 'johncusak' needs many history lessons, facts and better books! The term Afro-Latin and things like capoeira, samba, cumbia and all kinds of other things throughout the Caribbean and Central/South America didn't come from nowhere! More African slaves were shipped to South America & the Caribbean than to North America (and for a longer period of time; start to finish).

I am an Afro-latina and I just don't think Obama knows Afro-Latinos any better than he does US blacks. Sure there's this message of change, but it is only a message and not substantial enough for me to take that risk with what I have fought so long to attain in this nation. I am always going to be for Hillary Clinton. She is very close to Boricuas and has consistently stood up for our issues.

Something I do notice is that there are lots of blacks who stand beside us, yet- many times, they are mostly blacks who live near us and know us.
Out west, where there is a serious gang-related war going on between Chicano and black gangs, Boricuas get thrown into this category of being anti-black or "uncle toms", that we are somehow too stupid to buy into the white system. Well, I think US blacks are culturally more "white" than most Latinos. I wear my dreds with pride and I uplift my African heritage way high, but if we support anyone other than Obama, we're just racist and the whole conversation goes down this road. We retain our identity because of our close ties to our national points of origin, among other factors, such as language and issues- among other things.

What I like most about our culture is that no matter where our parents came from, we are Boricuas. It is that very idea that allows us to reach to others across racial lines. It is our own mestizaje that gives us room to connect. For those Boricuas who have excluded themselves by coming to the US as a white or black, one day they might realize how limiting they've become.
Many US blacks,seemingly, do not care to understand a people who want to be considered a whole, a nation, regardless of origins. As a woman of African, Taina and European descent, I think that Boricuas are VERY inclusive of others be they black or white or whatever. We'd be hypocritical if we started believing someone else's ideas of what we are. Some have given in to having an extreme view of themselves.

It has always seemed that while some US blacks are inclusive of us, yet there is now a growing faction that is extremist and unmoving to being one whole group. This is contrary to MLK's ideas, for me, I see that in Obama he speaks of this unification, that is beautiful and everything, but I don't see him being so experienced in age that he would understand the complications of this global society. I don't think he is inept, just a good talker. Obama and Clinton both have elitist backgrounds, but it is Hillary who best represents Puerto Ricans nands down.

As for the race issue,I also notice many Boricuas focusing on being more black as if to appeal to the cool crowd. If focusing on being "too white" is an extreme, focusing on being "too black" is another extreme. We are racially mixed, or better said we are culturally mixed, as race is a social construct devised by those who wished to control another group of people since time immemorial. There's certainly no problem in reaching out to anyone in the world, but know yourself first and secure your identity and your place. Extremism is not a beneficial thing.

My vote goes to neither McCain nor Obama. I voted for Hillary and wish to see her in a more respected role. Not the horrible image painted by online screen names with questionable stats.

I support Hillary and will always support her. I received my doctorate from Yale and am under 35. Obama doesn't cut it for me.

Anyone who doesn't think that race is an issue is delusional. Latin people (I am mostly speaking about the Ruerto Ricans, Cubans and to some extent the Dominicans) if given a choice, don't want to associate or be associated with blacks because of the stereotypes and physical appearance. Latinos don't consider dark skin attractive unless the person wearing it is undeniably hot. They think dark skin is too close to filth and fecal matter and is therefore unwanted. But what do you expect? Latin people are raised this way. To those who have grown beyond the superstitious teaching of your parents, grandparents and other elder family members, I thank you for seeking out the truth. To the others who just accepts things without question, when it is your turn to be at the end of the pointed finger, what will you say? If you don't like blacks for whatever reason, so be it. I can't change anyone's mind, but if for one reason you think turning against blacks brings you one step closer to "whitehood" then you are seriously mistaken.

I am black and my wife is Cuban with a direct lineage to Spain. Had she told me her family was so racial I never would have dated her. That's how bad it got. Sure, 8 years and two kids later we all get along famously and I am the favorite guest in everyone's home but I went through so much hazing unable to do much so my wife wouldn't be hurt emotionally. I had no idea latin people felt this way. On the job and at school I had more latin friends than anyone else. After many interviews and blunt questions I found out that many latinos will not asscociate with blacks past the acquaintance stage for fear of being "brought down" and not fitting in with the more socially powerful latinos (whatever that means). You can guess how I feel now. There are a lot of young latinos who like the black culture and who want to be "down" but this is just a phase as it would be for a white or Asian teen. Soon the teen will be forced to choose and they will almost always try to please their family ans therefore their society.

On my father's side all of my male relatives except my father are engineers. On my mother's side all of my relatives except for a sister and an aunt are either doctors, lawyers, nurses or buisnesspeople. I myself have a degree in computers and my wife is the one struggling to finish a bachelors in liberal arts. So I guess a stereotype is just words sometimes.

Now I will say this, black people are not trying to change America. Yes we will fight for injustice and make the government and all Americans accountable for indiscretions but we like America the way it is for the most part. Law abiding black people want to fit in and to be treated equally. Latinos want to change America to suit themselves. A recent poll showed that the Latin community in Florida wants to make Spanish the official language of the State of Florida. ???? I thought Florida was already part of a larger country. Whether the Latin community wants to take over America or take some territory back, do you really think the Whites and Blacks in America are gonna let you? Vote for whomever you want to, It's your American right. Just don't lie about why or make excuses please. I have more respect for a white supremacist because at least I know where he stands on the matter of race and there is no misunderstandings between us.