Hispanics' power slow to be realized at polling places
G. Jeffers
Dallas News
Apr 4, 2007
Sunday's immigrant-rights rally drew only a couple of thousand people, a fraction of the 350,000 to 500,000 who flooded downtown nearly a year ago.
The rally, however, is more reflective of the movement occurring in Hispanic communities.
Unlike the 2006 almost-spontaneous march that packed a one-time bolt on the political scene, the Hispanic drive for political and economic empowerment is more likely to take years – even decades – to become reality.
And like Sunday, much of the groundwork is going to be set in motion by a committed few. That's the way movements go.
Hispanics will one day will be dominant players on the local, state and national political scene. Their clout will be realized when their voting-age population matures and new residents become acclimated to the political process.
The challenge for activists is to speed the process.
There have been positive signs.
Nationally, citizenship applications are up 80 percent over the previous year.
And the revived immigration debate – both locally and nationally – could spark political awareness in those who would otherwise be apathetic.
In cities like Dallas, the hard work still involves getting the average Hispanic interested in casual voting.
