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Latinos or Hispanicos an Amalgam of Cultures

Byron A. Ellis – May 29, 2009

Many Americans failed to understand the term Latinos or Hispanicos. The term Latinos or Hispanicos identifies individual from Spanish speaking Latin American countries. These individuals are natives to the continent, mestizos, Africans, Asians, Anglos, Musulmanes, and others cultures.

The nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor represents this amalgam of individuals. And, her appointment to the Court will infuse cultural diversity and understanding of Hispanic issues.

In 1857, Dred Scott, a slave, sued unsuccessfully for his freedom. At the time, a homogeneous Supreme Court ruled seven to two against Scott.  It is unlikely that a diverse Court would have ruled against Mr. Scott.

In the Dred Scott v. Sandford, the Supreme Court ruled that people of African descent imported in the United Sates and held as slaves, or their descendants, even if they were not slaves, were not legal persons and could never become citizens of the United States.

Thus, precedent cannot validate the argument of some that diversity does not matter or that judges are unbiased in their interpretation of the Constitution.

The background and experiences that judges bring to the Court influences their decisions. As a result, judges interpret the Constitution or laws different as attested by so many split decisions.

The high incarceration rate of the non-white population can be attributed to lack of diversity in American jurisprudence.

When Latinos and African Americans are excluded from the legal, and the production and distributional process, the nation as a whole is made worst off. Since, it idles potentially productive factors of production and consumption.

Furthermore, such exclusion has created generational economic dislocations that continue to haunt many black and brown Americans.

However, modern knowledge has helped many individuals dispel cultural falsehoods and stereotypes. Nonetheless, a few, primarily in the Republican Party, continue to flame the fire hatred and divisiveness.

It is unfortunate that strong and moral Republican leaders have not come forward to extinguish that spirit of evil.

However, choices, even the choice of silence, often have consequences.

The Republican Party should begin to understand the power of the changing demographics, which translate into voting power.

It is time for inclusive Republican leaders to retake their Party from the extremists and craft policies that represent the desires and aspirations of all Americans.

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