racism

Hispanic Heritage Month Starts 9-15

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It is not fair or even possible to compare the contributions of different cultures to American Society and say one has added “as much as any other”. The contributions of Hispanic culture like those of all other culture groups are immense, distinct and fundamental to American society. Trying to quantify or rank the value of different cultures oversimplifies the complex and interwoven history of the United States. However, in celebration of “Hispanic Heritage Month” it is fitting to point out a few of the major contributions the Hispanic Culture has brought to America. Hispanic culture has a deep and pervasive influence that predates the founding of the United States. A specific culture has been the Mexicans and all those associated with Mesoamerica. (i.e.)

  • The massive economic output: In 2023 it was 4.1 trillion dollars making it the world’s fifth largest economy.
  • Driving Growth: Between 2010 and 2023 Latins were responsible for over half of the nation’s population growth and nearly 60% of the labor force growth.
  • Filling critical roles: Hispanic workers play a vital role in industries like agriculture construction and hospitality.
  • High Rate of entrepreneurship: Latinos start business at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group in the US.

Arts, cuisine and entertainment

  • Culinary tradition: Hispanic cuisine, including Puerto Rican. and Latin American dishes like tacos and tamales has become an integral part of America food culture.
  • Popular Music: Hispanic influence is evident throughout American Music, from salsa and mariachi to the global popularity of reggaeton.
  • Diverse artistic expression: Influential Hispanic and Latino figures have made significant contributions to American literature, film and visual arts.

Social & Political Activism

  • Advocacy for Equality: Hispanic civil rights organizations, such as the League of United Latin American Citizens (Lulac) have long fought for equality and representation. The largest currently is Unidos US.
  • Political Representation: Hispanic leaders are often important political offices at all levels, advocating for policies that reflect their communities’ interests.
  • Community Building: Hispanics are often active in community organizations, religious institutions and social services, which strengthens local communities.

The Challenge of Comparision

  • Avoiding Oversimplification: American identity is a continually evolving tapestry woven from countless influences and reducing any cultures impact to a simple metric or comparison is unfair.
  • A “Nation of Immigrants”: The United States was built and continuously is reshaped by waves of diverse immigrant groups, all of whom have contributed to its success in unique ways.
  • A Complex Process: The cultural exchange between different groups is not a simple transaction. It involves the integration of unique perspectives and traditions into a broader American Society, creating a richer, more diverse whole.

Having written what most folks would consider “a given” let’s be clear, there is a sense that many Americans are wanting to minimize the growth of any one culture. The problem may stem from one culture believing they are the pentacle of “Real Patriots”, and all other cultures are not. This is not the platform to suggest the Hispanic Heritage population are the “Real Patriots” but may be to suggest that Hispanics have the strongest influence on the way folks should behave, live, worship and manage America. In a democracy, the increasing Hispanic population will play a larger role in shaping national policies and influencing elections.  That may be why we need to be sure everyone in the country is legal, registered to vote, is paying their fair share of the cost to operate our nation’s safety and our environment.

Latinos are changing America; Latino Culture has greatly enriched North American culture. Hispanic influence is on the rise; it is profound, transcendent, and permanent. It comes from the fastest growing, largest majority group in the US. Taking characteristics of one culture and integrating it into another, regardless of whether it’s the dominant or recessive culture, it is called “Acculturation”. There are many reasons why three out of four US residents believe Latinos have had a major influence on American Culture. The prayer is that Latinos have contributed more positive influences than negative. It appears they have.

HPLA Charities is a bilingual English/ Spanish speaking organization made up of volunteers and no paid staff. Our mission is to help all those low-income families in Kansas we cover who own their homes and are just not able to keep up with all that owning a home requires. The organization focuses on ensuring their clients have the basic “must have” physiological resources. Stopping a leaky toilet at times is all that is necessary to help pay for the cost of food. Lately help with healthy food purchases and utility support has become a higher priority that home repair, so the charity deviates from its core mission. Emergency needs of any kind require our attention. We need you to help us do more for our neighbors and the needy. Better yet do more directly if you are able. Please consider an ongoing or one time donation for HPLA Charites. We make it easy and safe to contribute. Please follow this link. www.hplacharities.org/donate

HPLA Charities aka Habitaciones Para Latinos Association does not condone violence, and we hope you understand that the division we are undergoing is created by man and not GOD. This is a very difficult time, and hate can easily fester. Don’t let it, please.

Robert L. Flores Chairman

Discrimination: We are all guilty

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Discrimination in America 2025

There has never been a time in American History where discrimination was absent.

From Google AI: “Discrimination in the United States has deep roots, stemming from the institution of slavery, the subjugation of indigenous peoples, and the systemic oppression of various racial, ethnic and religious groups.” Google suggest in its Historical Context these basic categories:

  • Slavery and its aftermath Discrimination: was a defining feature of early American history, and its legacy continues to impact the nation.
  • Jim Crow Laws Discrimination: Following the civil war the Jim Crow Laws of the south enforced segregation and discrimination against African Americans in various aspects of life including housing, education, employment, and public spaces.
  • Immigrant Discrimination: The United States has always been a nation of immigrants and seemingly also always a nation suffused with a fear or hatred of those same immigrants
  • Women’s Rights Discrimination: The unfair or unequal treatment of individual’s based on their sex or gender. This can manifest in various forms, including pay gaps, lack of representation in leadership and violence against women.
  • LGBTQ+ Discrimination: These individual are described as different and outside the definition of male or female and as a result face the same types of discrimination as women or immigrants etc.
  • Disability Discrimination: It is the unfair or unequal treatment of individuals based on their disability which can manifest in various forms, including being employed, have access to services, education, or social participation.
  • TBD Discrimination: Who or what is the next group that will be the target of discrimination? My guess is Medicaid recipients.

I am using historical information from the internet that no doubt approaches these issues from a relatively unbiased perspective. From that point of view the message is presented without any desire to sway or dispel any mindset or belief, but instead to provide facts for the reader to decipher. For the sake of argument and as the devil’s advocate, I believe that the reasons given to the public about any discrimination is diluted for political correctness. Instead the reasons should be exposed for the horrific attitude and mindset where discrimination actually originates. There are mindsets that suggest “it is my way or the highway.” At its core I believe it begins with self-centered individuals that expect to always win and to be in relationships with only winners. Any failure by a member of the group will have them pushed away. Generally these folks will be ostracized from the leadership and thus the strategic plans of the group. (i.e. “Being Outed”).

People of like minds can come from any culture or any other group, but birds of a feather stick together thus other factors enter into this natural selection. Blood is stronger than water, but this is not always a surefire sign you will be accepted in a group. So called heroes of history suggests that, unlike Butch Cassidy, Etta Place and the Sundance Kid, they have recruited hundreds or even thousands of like-minded ideological followers. Many made up of many different cultures.

We are currently in global state of flux where folks are not sure who to trust, who to believe or who to join up with. The rules of entry discriminate in many ways, but one central theme seems to stand out in America, that is, a US born white skinned individual has the best chance to be accepted by and encouraged to join the right wing. All other cultures are suckers that can be used.

To be clear the right wing currently controlling the governments progress of the US tends to be one working hard to suppress human rights including and not limited to free speech. Secondly it is trying to suppress the growth of non-whites. It has used Latinos as the “whipping boy” to validate its message. The hype is that all illegal immigrants are a danger to our citizens and is dismantling the freedom we currently enjoy. Secondly it is bringing with them an ideology that encourages drug use. Nothing is ever mentioned that supply is based on demand and that the right wing thrives on exploiting the free market and will invest heavily into it. Drug cartels are not successful without a well-financed US based cartel to partner with it. Adding and abating while wearing a halo. How un-Christian is that?   

So discrimination is alive and well on planet earth. Currently it’s against the illegal immigrates of Latin based countries not the Irish to trying to survive the potato famine. Not the Cubans running from Castro, not countries in Africa or the middle east. And who pays he highest price? Women and children are particularly vulnerable during these journeys. We can close our borders and limit the ingress but desperate times call for desperate measures. Life has become expendable and humanity disrespected. It is not a society that cares about anyone, but only of one self. Survival of the fittest is well and good but not reserved for just a few.

The world must discriminate against any society that would want for only their group of like-minded members to survive. That is unless it is a society that includes all individual who have a beating heart and lungs. Cold blooded species are a conversation for another time.

I am trying to perpetuate the species by helping them have basic survival resources. Read about my mission please, www.hplacharities.org/donate