Que pasa en New Jersey?

What is happening in our Garden State?  What is happening to U N I T Y? Every time I turn on the television, read an email, or talk to another Latino I see it.  Disunity.  It is tearing us apart in a State where that type of divisiveness   will lead to the demise of our community.  This is a price New Jersey’s (NJ) Latinos cannot afford.  We preach the sins of “pride” and the virtue of “loving one another” as we systematically quarter each other.  Many are caught up in a “moment” in time and believe that a small battle will win the war.

This tragic fallacy is slowly devouring our political consciousness and leaving in its path naysayers and yes men.  This type of division is exactly the kind needed to separate us into small factions, unwilling and unable to act in the interest of our people.

What are those interests you ask?

You need not ask that which you already know the answer too.

They are the universal interest of men, women, and children to an education, housing, health care, food, and respect.  They are the interest of every American and need not be deprived to Latino Americans because we forget about the “big picture”.  Respect is earned but all must share it.  We must re-evaluate our fight and come to the conclusion that “we are loosing our way”.  There is too much to do for our families, friends, neighbors and most importantly children.  We indeed have “miles to go before we sleep”!

Let us not become entrapped in the single subject battle of “immigration”, “education”, health care”, or “political affiliation”.  Do not step over your brothers and sisters to reach the imaginary “golden scepter” or “political party approval”.  Believe me there is no palm tree or plantain leaf on any of these party’s’ logos.  There is a Donkey and an Elephant.  The current conduct of many (not all) Latino leaders in NJ tells me this ship must be turned.  We are in a quick spiral downward.  Therefore, I ask that we re-think our internal political and humanistic goals and think of the broader implications of selfishness and ambivalence. Yes, doing nothing is just as bad as being selfish.

Que viva el pueblo!

Libertad Amarga