THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: ALVARO HUERTA AND RICARDO ROMO ON IS POLICE ABUSE OF LATINOS BEING IGNORED AND HOW TO REFRAME THE RACE ISSUE TO INCLUDE ALL MINORITIES, JOSÉ UMPIERRE ON THE SUPREME COURT RULING IMPACTING PUERTO RICO (SPANISH), AND LUIS TORRES ON POLICE ABUSE ,”IT’S NOT JUST A FEW BAD APPLES.”
In the wake of a national Black Lives Matter movement sweeping the United States, many Latinos are wondering why the discussion doesn’t also include Latinos abused by police. Latinos are the ethnic largest minority in the United States and, like African Americans, they, too, have suffered brutality at the hands of law enforcement. Two scholar/activists, Alvaro Huerta and Ricardo Romo, take on this issue in two video pláticas.
The first examines whether Latinos are being overlooked or ignored in the larger discussion of race in America. The second video addresses the question of how to reframe the issue of race beyond the familiar black and white dichotomy to include Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and other minorities. Check out these very relevant videos to what is going on today.
In an accompanying op-ed piece, Latinopia blogger Luis Torres also takes on the issue. He declares that it is not, as the police often claim, “just a few bad apples” behind police abuse. Luis points to institutional failures.
Also this week, Jose Umpierrre, el Zocotroco, returns with his Spanish column, this week looking at a recent ruling by the Supreme Court impacting the people of Puerto Rico. As you may know, the 7-member Financial Oversight Board governing Puerto Rico recovery from bankruptcy ( the Junta) was declared unconstitutional by lower court Justice Stephen G. Breyer in February 2019. He said the appointments were invalid because they had been appointed by the Trump administration and had not been confirmed by Congress. The new ruling states that the board members are “territorial officers” who can be appointed by the president without the Senate’s advice and consent. The ruling allows the Board to continue usurping the legislative powers of Puerto Rico’s legally elected government and leveling stringent austerity measures on the Puerto Rican people.
Lastly, spurred by the Black Lives Matter movement, our nation is undergoing a sweeping reevaluation of its goals and promises. It is important that the Latino community not be excluded from this national dialog and Latinopia will continue to spotlight issues pertinent Latinos and the nation. Watch for more videos here in the future.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia, stay safe and wear your masks!
Tia Tenopia