It is kind of hard to get excited about a race when the Democrats seem to forget about Latinos in Houston. It appears that their concerns are about the gay community. I am sure that the gay community does have certain needs that politicians could address, but when Democrats are primarily about the gay community, where does it leave people like me, who grew up with a father who fought for Hispanics to be treated equally? I was involved in the La Raza Unida movement, and we are still not on equal footing in this country. We were getting there, but Trump has taken us back quite a bit.
The following is from a Democratic Blog; the debate occurred at a Democratic meeting.
At the 53:30 point of the debate, there was a question about bringing back some form of HERO. The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance was repealed by voters in 2015. The ordinance banned discrimination against all people including gay and trans people.
This discussion was a lesson for me in listening closely. At first hearing, I thought Ms. Salinas was saying she would support efforts at a new HERO if that was what people in general wanted. I know from conversations after the debate yesterday that others heard it that way as well.
When I listened to this portion of the debate again however, I heard her say she’d favor a new HERO if that is what the “community” wanted, and thought that was a good way forward. Ms. Salinas is a lesbian and part of the community she is referencing. I’m strongly inclined to the more favorable interpretation. Ms. Salinas was not advocating for her rights based on a willingness of others to grant them. She was saying that those greatly impacted and burdened by yet another debate on if they are full citizens or not, should decide if this is the strategy to follow.
Mr. Thomas said he was for a new HERO-type ordinance and discussed how in the aftermath of the recent killing of a well-known influencer, some people felt the need to go after trans people and threaten Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
I trust both Ms. Salinas and Mr. Thomas in seeing everyone as fully human and equal. I believe both would act on that belief if elected to Council .
When I was in the seventh grade, our gabacho teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. My response to that question was President of the United States. The response is still chiselled into my mind. “There will never be a Mexican who will become President of the United States.” My gabacho teacher thus far has been correct, so over 60 years later, that statement still rings true.
The Democratic Party here in Houston has always looked down on Latinos. Not too long ago, when Lane Lewis was the Democratic Chair of Harris County, not only did he refuse to meet with the DREAMERS, but he also locked the doors on them.
Democrats can walk certain precincts, but they better give the Hispanic community a reason to vote for them; otherwise, the best they can hope for may be that they don’t vote. In the last presidential election, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and newly elected Annette Ramirez walked through Denver Harbor, and yet, Trump still performed very well in that area.
When Democrats need to rely on polls to find what messages will help them get the Latino vote, they are already in trouble with that community.
The percentage of Hispanic registered voters in Harris County is likely to have increased since 2022. The rate of Black voters has probably continued decreasing, and the percentage of Gabachos has probably also continued decreasing. Look at the chart and read the future from that. Hint, the East End and North Side will not win for the Democrats, most of those elected officials are vendidos.
