Editorial:
President Barack Obama is at his best when speaking before an audience, he knows how to deliver a speech and inspire. It was these qualities more than any other that motivated millions to believe in him and his call for change and elect him President. In his first State of the Union speech Obama was once again at his best.
He addressed the issue of partisan politics, which seems to be an epidemic in modern politics not only in Washington but throughout the political spectrum. He addressed the need for jobs, addressing the needs of the middle class, of small business, the economy in general. He talked about the health bill and he took the blame for not clearly outlining the bill, demonstrating that he knows that “the-buck-stops-here.” He strove to inspire Republicans and Democrats to work together.
Obama pulled a page from the first Ronald Reagan State of the Union speech and detailed the circumstances under which he took office, detailing the problems and laying the blame on the previous administration. He highlighted his successes and he looked to regain his populist position with the nation. He even took on a Gay issue by vowing the repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military.
What we didn’t hear was anything on the Hispanic/Latino issues. As the speech continued on for over an hour we sat and waited to see if he ever was going to mention Hispanic leadership, the Hispanic community, or even address immigration.
Late into the speech he did mention immigration: “And we should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system — to secure our borders and enforce our laws and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation.” That was it, not much to sink your teeth into.
In regards to Mexico, nothing. He did mention strengthening our trade relations in Panama and Colombia, but nothing about NAFTA or CAFT free trade agreements, policies that are important to the Hispanic community.
To be fair, in the big picture, middle class tax cuts, jobs, and education reform do impact the Hispanic community. Further, the Obama administration has appointed the greatest number of Latinos to senior positions in the White House and the rest of the federal government – more than any President in history – and nominated Sonia Sotomayor as Supreme Court Justice.
But by relegating Hispanic issues to non-issues relegates the Hispanic community, once again, to second-class citizenry. Once again Hispanics are on the outside looking in when Hispanics should be moving closer to center stage.
In general we have been pleased with the Obama Presidency, but we are disheartened by the snub. As President Obama concluded his speech he described a new decade stretched out before us. That decade will be about the Hispanic community, and it is time to recognize this fact.