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Latinos

Sat, 05/11/2013 - 3:21pm

One of the interesting things that came up as we researched this was that across sites that might be considered more conservative, the commenters wondered whether the IQ stats were actually accurate or not, and if people were angry because of what the stats revealed or if the stats were actually wrong. Hmmmm.... Either way, this whole incident brings up another huge opportunity to discuss the race model in this country, and why it seems in the best interest of some to encourage barriers between humans based on skin color.  Is the best to silence someone who releases such a support or to almost force him to go on a tour in order to be able to hold town halls and interact with everyday Americans as they talk back to and contemplate the "report" with him.  For we all know these IQ tests are skewed by those who create them, but this is cearly about more than intelligence or lack of it.  This entire incident further demonstrates that we are in no way in a post-racial America and that fear abounds as the new America begins to take shape and form.  This is really about a shift in power dynamic and response to that.  Watch closely and see how race is used as the substitute for someting which runs much deeper....

The comment-sphere is a buzz with the latest reports on a move that seems to pit one ethnic demo against another.  The conservative think tank The Heritage Group is finding itself the subject of media coverage after one of its analysts released a study on immigration that actually included information that said that not only do immigrants possess a lower IQ but that the cost in welfare benefits would soar.  The incident has brought criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, and just a few hours ago has led to the resignation of Jason Richwine, co-author of the study.  But to get the real sentiment, let's head to the digital town hall.

What Others Are Saying...

Racism is endemic in our history, our society, and our culture. We will never eradicate racial bias in our generation. The best we can do is to recognize it and do our best to break the stereotypes.  Any analysis of immigration policy will be under the shadow of racism...

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...why can't the Mexicans and Indians just go back to where they came from, and leave 'murka for the whites, like god intended. (the smart whites, of course)

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Playing the race card is the tactic they are using to draw your attention away from the fact that this is going to cost us plenty.

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Thu, 11/15/2012 - 9:27pm

Wow. What a statement from Romney.  Is it that the shock of the form of the "new" America so stunning that such statements are made rather than true, wide-reaching analysis?  The comment-sphere may seem to think so.  Why would anyone speak so divisively regarding his own fellow citizens? (as Govenor Bobby Jindal - Republican - pointed out)  Ya  know, Frederick Douglass has said that racism is both a cause and consequence of slavery.  Perhaps at the very core, though, the issue is about control - losing it, gaining it.  It is said that from a sociological perspective, slaveholders conducted themselves as they did because of their ingrained assumptions.  Could a version of this be applied to today?  And when one does not fulfill his/her role as the powerless, what kinds of turbulence does that create.  Ah, that is when it gets interesting.  Fasten your seatbelts, this could get bumpy.

During a conference call with some of his top supporters and donors this week, former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney blamed Obama's catering to certain groups of supporters for his loss. The Republican governor said his campaign did not anticipate a loss but that in retrospect they really had no chance because of the Obama administration's 'gifts' to Hispanics, Blacks, and young voters. The gifts came in the form of Obamacare, The Dream Act which provides amnesty for children of immigrants, and partial forgiveness of student loan interest. These three big gifts specifically targeted social interest groups. He, however, did not cite any of his own actions or those of his campaign for his loss. Well, if Obama is the new Santa, where do I wait in line??....

What Others Are Saying...

[Romney] seems like he is having a nervous breakdown [because] all the women, students, people of color and the middle class. Thank the Lord and voters who didn't let this freaky person become president of the greatest country in the world.

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...I have to say, I don't think it's racism, I think it's classism, he genuinely believes people who aren't rich are lesser than human....

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...But what is really sad is the GOP has no clue why they lost the election. They might not even care why they lost as long as they have someone or some demographic to blame.... 

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Sun, 08/05/2012 - 2:32am

While few may be surprised at the results of this study, the objective seems to be to actually document what is suspected.  But in an age of the inverted pyramid, is such documentation still required and does it hold as much weight?  Indeed, the fact that the commenters already seem to be aware of the findings could be one of the contributing factors to Pew Research Center's research that shows that 39% of videos viewed are news-related and many times feature footage captured by citizens.  Watch for further non-traditional methods of reporting to be embraced as time moves ahead.

The hosts of "The Rush Limbaugh Show," "The Sean Hannity Show," "The Glenn Beck Program," The Savage Nation" and "The John and Ken Show” promote hate speech, according to a National Hispanic Media Coalition and UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center study. It concludes that guests and hosts, as well as the topics, in certain radio talk tremendously focused negatively on minority groups. According to the study, using hateful rhetoric, hosts have cast immigrants as disease ridden, equated pro-immigrant organizations with neo-Nazis, called Islam an "evil religion," claimed the Obama administration is promoting "race riots" and made fun of the ethnicity of Asian-American politicians.  Thoughts by "post-racial" America?

What Others Are Saying...

They can't possibly be shocked by discovering this. Listen to any one of these … radio shows … and you'll hear the … host complain about any American who isn't rich, white, and willing to agree with them on everything.

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It makes about as much sense to call radio broadcasting “social networks” as it would be to call television broadcasting the same. .... Also, no “social network” requires an FCC License as radio broadcasters do. That right there is the single most important thing about what these political radio broadcasters are doing, they are not “tweeting” or “texting.” …

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Those who say this is not true are usually white. … I have listened, or tried to listen to talk radio. The racial topics that are raised, and they are brought up frequently because race = ratings, always lead to heavy very passionate calls from both sides of the spectrum. … Of course the non-minority community will never understand. They have not been discriminated based on stereotypes due to their race. …

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Mon, 07/23/2012 - 8:41pm

In supposed "post-racial America", the discussion continues regarding how race plays into profiling.  Of note is that depending upon the outlet, and therefore the mindset, the opinion varies indicating further division in our country.  As U.C. Irvine Associate Professor Chicano/Latino Studies Louis Desipio has noted, this is a larger exercise and observation about how countries - such as the United States - incorporate new members. The pattern seems to repeat itself but in new formats.  What might be most interesting to watch is the actual response from the "new members" and how that response builds on that of the prior "new members".  Are you also examining your own attitudes?

A class-action civil rights trial began against Sheriff Joe Arpaio, self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America, and his Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona. Among the evidence to be introduced are letters asserting previous knowledge of illegal immigrants. Arpaio and his office are accused of engaging in a pattern of discriminatory policing during patrols, stopping and questioning Latinos. Arpaio claims the people pulled over were approached because deputies had probable cause to believe they had committed crimes and that officers only learned afterward that many were illegal immigrants. The plaintiffs aren't seeking money damages. They want a declaration that Arpaio's office racially profiles and an order that requires the department to make changes to prevent what they said is discriminatory policing.  To the comment-sphere!

What Others Are Saying...

The abuse of Arpaio’s power has been an ongoing problem for years. He often conducted retaliatory investigation against anyone who questions him. … Arpaio is on trial because he targeted the Latino community specifically. That's racism. … When the majority of your illegals are Hispanic, then that’s who you look for.

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… When the majority of people in AZ are Latino, then the majority are likely to be caught committing violations. A handful of Latinos claim they were racially profiled. It should be thousands if it were true. … Right now the Caucasians are the minorities. We should be screaming profiling and racism. But we don't.

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Illegal immigrants accounted for 57 percent of the 1,500 people arrested. In other words, about half the time, they are just pulling over the brown boys, because they are dark skinned. The sheriff’s racist stripe is showing big time. … Does it surprise anyone that this cruel despicable racist is a Republican? … Knowing that within the Hispanic population there are more illegals than any other group, it's obvious that the group that will be most targeted will be Hispanics. So what is the problem?

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Thu, 05/03/2012 - 8:27pm

Is it about immigration issues or is it about race?  Is it about fear of a certain demographic taking jobs away or is it about not wanting to share the sandbox.  As the browning of our country continues, who is to say who actually has to the right to be where on the planet?  These issues are certainly not going away any time soon.

Latinos come out for marches during May Day and bring many immigration talking points to the forefront. Even though that took place, May 1 there is still much activity and analysis of it, particularly in terms of race.

What Others Are Saying...

...I just wish people could see how beautiful we are instead of always talking about our race...

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...Mexicans are slowly taking over people, get used to it.

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Its amazing people can even rationalize not taking steps to protect our jobs , border and sovereign rights to be a country with boarders. Having a state issued ID or Drivers lic should be the norm. Its called an illegal alien for a reason...

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