“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”Martin Luther King Jr.g a stable society." -
African Americans and Hispanics should work together as a minority to become an empowered and united group strong enough to address and challenge issues affecting their communities. History has shown unity between the African American and Hispanic population to be an ideal tool in which the two communities have been able to understand each other and bring about change. One such example is the civil rights and labor movements in the 1960’s when minority leaders formed a unified front against discriminating whites. Consequently, this unity established a firm political foundation in which minorities could voice their discontent in the United States. Working together African American and Hispanics enhance their political force and can fight for collective rights otherwise difficult to do if each group decided to work against each other. Both groups must challenge the nonminority power structure that pushes each other to fight over minuet issues. When minorities see only token opportunities, such as political positions in their favor, “each group begins to view it in zero-sum term” stated by Paula McClain, a professor of African American Studies at Duke University in North Carolina. African American and Hispanics need to stop the self-interest attitude and avoid competing with each other. It is more advantage for both groups to cooperate because they send a stronger message to the nation challenging the statues quo. For example, while Latinos lack political power and are slow to mobilize politically, they have begun to reshape local electorates with the help of already politically establish African Americans leaders. In May 2005, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa became the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles City since 1872, with the support of African American votes. With the grow of minority in political power, Anglo American view the integration as a threat to their own stability because of the fear that comes with the potential political power that accrues with group size. Therefore, on a political level, both groups need to continue reaching out to one another because they need each other. In additional to political motivations, African American and Hispanic communities need to cooperate with each other as a means for socioeconomic development. Economic stability and social status is important for the success of the group. African Americans and Hispanic confront the same educational and employment hurdles due to social structures that are not equally accessible to all. Because of the correlation between living in poverty and lack of education in the community, it is imperative as a collective group we persuade the youth to continue pursuing a higher education and aim for professional development. As more and more African American and Hispanic continue to acquire professional positions, they begin opening the door for other seeking to improve their lives. Although interethnic competition for economic goods have caused conflict between groups, such Irish and African American relationship, the relationship between African American and Hispanic can be strengthen through a better understand of each other customs.African American and Hispanic need to work together to strength each other relationship with in the community. Cultural barriers hinder the possibility for each group to further grow because of the lack of understanding between each other. Both group need to teach and learn from each other’s unique background and fully embrace the new diversity within the community. In addressing and overcoming the cultural dilemma, African American and Hispanics can overcome the stigmatization portrayed on them and challenge prejudice beliefs from other groups. Moreover, communities are empowered when they come together and fight for a common cause. Because African American and Hispanics are a socially disadvantaged minority group, by establishing a partnership they can continue to develop a stronger foundation needed to address issues affecting our community. A History of African American-Hispanic unity in Los Angeles illustrates how community programs have been created in combating poverty. In the early 1990s, the two groups formed a bus riders union that brought vastly improved bus service at cheaper rates for citizens from poor communities. Furthermore, community unity provides a different perspective in solving community issue rather then having to settle for ineffective solution. Aside from cultural understanding, African American and Hispanics can strengthen their relationship by educating the youth. Because today’s younger generation appear less willing to see themselves as a collective group than older generations who remember the original efforts by minority leaders, it is essential to change student perception and attitude towards each other. Community leaders can target the youth by promoting tolerance through school activities. After school programs such as Muti-cultural clubs, field trip and adding multiracial literature to curriculum offer a forum for student to interact with each other. Encouraging community involvement through volunteer work expose student to the importance of working together. Adults need to set the example and find the solution to racial tensions between African American and Hispanics. Historically Black Colleges and Universities need to continue supporting the needs of the growing Hispanic population because African American share the moral responsibilities of assisting the next generation of minorities in the United States. Because opportunities are limited to the growing demographic transformation of Hispanic in the country, HBCU provide a resource such as financial assistance, educational and professional development to minorities otherwise unavailable.
