Going back in history, both African-Americans and Hispanics had to go through struggle. African-Americans had to fight their way through slavery, segregation and racism, while Hispanics had to fight for land and citizenship. Since we have both had to tussle over many of the things that we have earned, we should not have to go against each other. We should be able to learn each other's struggles and turn them into a powerful movement. These two cultures are needed in today's society, especially in the areas of politics, culture, communication and the community. In politics, we will be able to address the many things that are overlooked, such as more opportunities other than the “No Child Left Behind” program. We need to have more mayors, councilmen and women, governors, and so forth, so that we can show our fellow African-Americans and Hispanics that we care for each other and that anything is possible for us. We need to bring our cultures out of these horrible stereotypes; all African-Americans are ghetto black people who would rather spend our lives on the streets instead of following after Martin Luther King, Jr. or Frederick Douglas; Hispanics making a living by being illegal immigrants and getting by on yard work. We need to communicate with each other by learning the Spanish language, and other Hispanic languages, and teaching the English language to Hispanics who are learning. We can use our communication to come together. Instead of separating ourselves from each other, we should create more activities together. This could be a very effective way of strengthening our relationship. We could also reach out to each other and help each other daily. I have seen too many where a Hispanic, who does not know the English language very well, would be shopping and our people are rude to them, instead of making it easier for them to shop. Just because many of the new Hispanics to this country may not be able to speak English as well as we expect them to, does not mean that we should make it harder for them to become members of this country. They need our help to become citizens. Historically Black Colleges and Universities should reach out to us more by giving our young black students more opportunities to better themselves, as well as the Hispanic and Afro-Hispanic communities. Things such as more scholarships and programs could help tremendously. These colleges and universities can utilize their campuses, including student volunteers, to reach out to our Black and Hispanic students looking to become better people, and to help them find a better way to spend their time than in the wrong places with the wrong people. We need all the help we could get from these colleges and universities to keep our young people alive so that they could continue our future. Also, the idea of having more Hispanic fraternities and sororities on black colleges' campuses can be a part of many future contributions that will help us to have a better relationship. All of these things and so many more that have not been touched on can bring us together. We have to see that we have so much more in common than what we see. We should know our backgrounds and use them to become better friends. If we use this, we will become a better and powerful people as we continue our fight for our rights that we are neglected of. As we help each other come together, we continue to form a stronger bond of the minority community.
