Edited by: Maggie Reed
Ever since President Obama’s primary bid for the presidential nomination began, the word hope has become an almost viral part of the American vernacular. Hope is everywhere- the expression seems to uniquely embody the emotions of all Americans. Americans are hopeful for better days to come, though the definition of better varies from person to person, or in some instances, race to race.
Oralia Contreras is not unique in her hopefulness. As an ELL (English Language Learner) teacher and guidance clerk at Westview High School, Contreras said she sees the message of change beating in the hearts of her students.
“They are all hopeful,” she said. “I have students come to me daily to tell me they are very hopeful that (Barack) Obama can make a change for them.”
But as the first term of America’s first black president gets underway, Contreras said she worries if the change is indeed reserved for her students, who like her, are of Hispanic descent.
Many of her students are illegal immigrants. They come to the United States, she said, for better opportunities and to learn English.
“Whether they are illegal or have gotten their papers, Obama needs to fight for them and welcome them,”she said.
She said with Obama’s inauguration, one promise he must keep is to tackle immigration reform. Without it, she said, she sees little progress for Hispanics. Yet Contreras is still hopeful and like many, supports Obama—a deviation from what was expected from Hispanics, due to so-called Hispanic-African American divide.
According to the article in Newsweek, “The Black-Brown Divide” by Jamie Reno, author Earl Hutchinson said there would be reluctance among many Hispanics to vote for an African American candidate.
José Reyna, assistant to the city manager of Grand Rapids, said in fact, many Hispanics did initially support Clinton during the primary.
“Hispanics initially identified with Clinton because of their loyalty to Democratic Party and the Clintons’ support of their community,” Reyna said. “Many were deaf to Obama’s message about empathy with Hispanic community.” He added once the race between Obama and McCain begun, Obama’s message finally resonated with Hispanic community.
And resonate it did, as exit polls showed Hispanics voted 67 percent Obama to 30 percent McCain. Yet even with the support and the nomination, Hispanics like Yasmin Ibarra-Delgado, a paraprofessional at Loy Norrix High School, still worry how Obama might help them.
“I married an illegal immigrant, so the issue of immigration is important to me,” Ibarra-Delgado said. “I wonder what Obama might do to help people in the situation I was in.”
As it stands, Obama has proposed an immigration reform plan which includes border surveillance with new technologies and reprimanding employers who hire undocumented workers.
For undocumented immigrants, Obama has proposed to have them register, pay a fine for entering illegally, pay taxes, and learn English. In addition, the undocumented immigrants must go to the back of line in applying for citizenship—behind people who are waiting to earn it legally—but has also proposed to give illegals time to earn their citizenship.
With this, the immigration matter is particularly crucial, Reyna said, and if Obama ignores these promises, a rift between racial groups might occur.
Andrew Schlewitz, Grand Valley State University Latin American Studies and Political Science professor, said the immigration issue resonates differently with both African Americans and Hispanics depending on geography. Those closer to the border might feel more affected.
But there is some common ground through it all. Schlewitz said he believes there are issues, like the creation of jobs, which can unite this perceived divide.
There is one thing complicating this pursuit, however, and the pursuit for unity, Schlewitz added.
“All of the issues depend on how quickly and how thoroughly we can recover from the economy because it has been putting all sorts of groups against each other,” he said.
Danny Aldaco, a department tech for the State of Michigan, echoed those sentiments and said the economy is to blame for these divides.
“I think that people are realizing what race you are is not important now,” Aldaco said. “Everyone is struggling right now and I think fixing these issues will unite people.”
As it stands, Obama’s economic plan is to create or save up to 4 million jobs through investment in a new renewable energy infrastructure.
Daniel McClure, Grand Valley State professor of Liberal and African American Studies, said this economic plan should do much for African Americans and Hispanics, as a percieved competition for jobs is one of the main dividing factors between the two races.
He added African Americans and Hispanics live in similar conditions, face similar discrimination in housing, jobs and education, and therefore would find common interests rather than competing interests throughout this divide. Obama’s multi-racial background may do much to alleviate the fear that he will favor one race over any others. Obama can appeal to all races, including African Americans and Hispanics.
So then, has “the ground shifted,” as Obama proclaimed in his inauguration speech, to acknowledge a new dimension of race?
Schlewitz said yes.
“Political analysts are now looking at race as a generational thing,” Schlewitz said.
“The baby- boomers are getting old and race and ethnicity are gaining a different take among the younger generations.” With this, the question remains: Is the nation moving toward a post-racial America, without divides? McClure said the notion of a post-racial America is ridiculous and unappealing.
“Race is a fundamental…fact of American history, culture and identity and will not disappear simply because President Obama is no longer interested in discussing the ways it shapes all of our lives,” McClure said. Instead, he suggested tackling the issue head-first in order to break down divides.
But for many, such as Baker, those divides cannot be understood without an example from the top.
“I think many are looking toward Obama right now for the next step in breaking down racial barriers,” he said.
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