Latinos from Michigan and State Senator Rick Jones (shown fifth from the right) taking part in the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan’s 4th Annual Hispanic Advocacy Day.
Courtesy photo
By Rick Garcia
One of the most inspiring things about convening a public forum is the passion that rises from young, old, urban, rural, professional and working-class who all share a common thread…to be informed and to be heard.
Latinos from all over the state convened at the State Capital to take part in the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan’s 4th Annual Hispanic Advocacy Day. As part of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month (September 16 through October 15) advocacy days gave the opportunity for Michganders, both Hispanic and non-Hispanics to listen and participate in a forum discussion. Led by the State Legislature Hispanic Caucus – State Representative Harvey Santana (9th District) State Representative Henry Yanez (25th District) and other key Legislatures – the forum allowed each of the members to address key issues impacting the quality of life for Hispanics in Michigan panelist as it pertains to current and working legislative bills.
Participants, many who are active in their local communities, had their chance to exercise their right to free speech. The forum allowed the opportunity that otherwise would have been completely off the radar screen, according to Jorge Cabrerra, a local business owner in Jackson who came to Lansing to learn about the fundamentals of grass-roots advocacy. He’s mainly concerned that many of his Hispanic peers do not know about the issues pertaining to legislative bills. ”It’s all foreign to me,” said Cabrerra, who explained that many of his Hispanic neighbors do not know the candidates they are voting for. ”I was hoping to personally ask a legislator what they can do to help us on this problem.”
Harvey Santana, a second-term State Representative from Detroit, gave a compelling anecdote of the systemic problems how most Hispanic and Latinos perceive civic engagement, let alone, the lack thereof. Santana illustrates his point using a fictitious third person named “Juan Lopez,” a working-class Hispanic American who is law-abiding, yet disengaged because public opinion has lumped his identity among controversial issues like undocumented workers. ”One size does not fit all Hispanics in Michigan, “says Santana indicating diverse culture among Hispanics in Michigan from Southwest Detroit to Saginaw to Holland and West Michigan. ”Yet, when you look at the growing numbers of Hispanics in Michigan, which consists of over 450,000, the economic contribution and impact to the state is impressive. However, we are still challenged by the education gap where graduation attainment and college readiness has been historically low.”
“Folks need to understand that we don’t have all the answers to issues pertaining to their local community and that it is extremely important that they call me. I’m very accessible and I even leave my cell phone if people need to get a hold of me,” said Santana, who not only represents his district but as part of the bi-partisan Hispanic Caucus he double-duty his role as an advocator for all Hispanics in Michigan. ”I’m just one of three members of the Hispanic Caucus that can be reached.”
Other state legislatures participating include State Representatives Sam Sing, Bradford Jacobsen and State Senator Rick Jones all sharing their perspectives on current house legislation that impact not only Hispanics and Latinos but all Michigan families from education, access to healthcare and housing.
According to MaryLou Mason, Director of the Hispanic Latino Commission -of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and the event organizer, advocacy day sets tone for Hispanic Heritage Month and is a great opportunity for the public and legislators to meet and celebrate. The day included a kickoff ceremony at the capital steps and a Mexican buffet sponsored by Famous Taco of Lansing.
This was printed in the October 19, 2014 – November 1, 2014 edition.
