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Latina, proud and Republican

Tolerance should work both ways, writer says

I am a minority within a minority.  I am a Latina Republican.
    
I anticipate raised eyebrows among many Latino Perspectives readers when they learn this about me.  I know this because when I am in predominantly Hispanic circles it’s not uncommon to get the “Mirada,” or “look”, at that moment I reveal this fact.
     
This is my story: I’m third-generation American. I have ancestors from Mexico, Spain and other European roots in my family tree, but I identify most with my Mexican heritage. My father Alejandro was born in Smelter Town, Texas, and my late mother Carmen in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  I grew up in Las Cruces; lived four years in El Paso working less than a mile from the border and my last 20 years have been spent in Phoenix. My parents experienced the great Depression, World War II (my dad served honorably) and 61 years of marriage. Incredibly, but not uncommonly, they managed to create and nurture a family of six children. This personal history defines me and is responsible for most of what I am today.
     
R is for Republican and not Racist. I’ve had a prominent Democrat accuse me of not being Hispanic and lying about it.  Another popular D, he of the Anglo persuasion, said it was ridiculous that I was a Republican. He told me his spouse was Hispanic (thinking that being married to one made him an expert on all). When these D’s made these remarks they used condescending tones that did not display a manner of “tolerance.” Even after these comments I do not define the Democrat Party as a party of ignorance. I hope fellow Latinos would judge the Republican Party by the same standard.
     
How can our Latino culture with its history of fighting prejudice be so prejudicial about politics? I  struggle with how our conservative culture, predominantly self-reliant, Christian and pro-life, remains loyal to that other party which for the most part does not champion these values anymore.
     
The more I reveal my political leanings to other Latinos, the more I wonder if  the “minority” I represent among Latinos is not that minor anymore. I encounter responses like, “Well, I swing both ways. I’m a registered Democrat but I haven’t been happy with what they’ve been doing lately.” Recently I hear more and more, “I’m a registered Republican, too − I used to be a Democrat.”
     
The issues that all Latinos care about are the issues that Republican Latinos care about. Latinos can have a great influence on the issue of immigration. As vice chair of the Arizona Latino Republican Association, or ALRA − a group of about 150 members mostly from Maricopa County − I get a lot of interesting reactions about immigration because our organization did not support Proposition 200.  The Latino passion on the subject is certainly present and ALRA has been blessed with the support of a Republican Congressional delegation that realizes the Latino Republican is relevant. They call on us for guidance. The Republican philosophy is NOT anti-immigration.  We are pro-legal immigration. The Bush Administration and our Republican delegation are leading the debate on comprehensive immigration reform and ALRA is honored to be a part of the conversation.
     
Another divisive issue of course is the Iraq war. I enjoyed a recent South Park episode on TV. (Yes, I also am a “Republican who watches South Park.”)  In the show, the anti-war-protest side is lampooned along with war supporters and the point is well made that these two sides existed during the American Revolution. Whatever your opinion of the Iraq war, you cannot ignore the fact that with the removal of Saddam the people of Iraq now have an opportunity to take advantage of liberty.
     
Harriet Miers, not U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, is the Supreme Court nominee. I think Alberto is fantastic. I watched him testify and was impressed. However, maybe the President needs him more where he is.  After all, he is our nation’s chief law enforcement officer. I don’t know Miers, but I worked hard to help elect President Bush and knew in that role he would be nominating people to the Supreme Court. 
     
Have I agreed with everything our President has done? The answer is no. I have met President Bush twice in my life, once before his election and more recently while he was here in Phoenix.  I trust him.
     
My thanks to Latino Perspectives for this great opportunity to express who I am and what I believe.  The magazine is doing well in its goal to include a diverse array of Latino perspectives.

Alice Lara is the executive assistant at Copper State Consulting Group in Phoenix.