Hispanic Jobs

Away from the Lighter Side of LatPro are more serious issues that face the LatPro team and the Hispanic population in general. Racism, bigotry, and general anger are out there. Here’s a bit about what I think of some of these issues, as much of the hatred comes to my email inbox.

People need to think before they start typing, you know, with brain and fingers somehow connected. I’ve received a number of nasty emails from people over the years, and I get them from small companies and large, without the authors taking any time to consider that they are the ones who are not thinking things through, but rather reacting on either emotion or just pure bigotry. Some of course hide behind the anonymity of an AOL or YAHOO email address, and I have little desire to find out their identities, but others have no qualms about leaving their names and phone numbers too.

Rather than be all negative and give credence to these people and their comments, I will just show some excerpts from a toned-down sample from my special Outlook folder.

For example, I have gotten several requests to create “WHITE PRO” (which is such an original take on our LatPro name). These requests ALWAYS come as they are characterizing Hispanics as non-educated, non-English speaking illegals. These messages also always say something about racism as well.

First, I will never apologize for promoting the heritage and unique skills of LatPro’s members. Why would I do that? How many thousands of groups are there that do the same without being subjected to the same type of insults hurled in this direction? Engineers, Doctors, Home Builders, etc. If they are mad because of the word Hispanic, then they need to realize we are promoting Hispanics not because of some EEO rules or quotas, but rather for the unique lingual and cultural skills that make corporations and their employees thrive in an international world.

Second, what makes these people think that just because you’re Hispanic means that you’re White? Hispanic has nothing to do with race, as there are Hispanics of many races.

Next, Hispanic is a term created by the US government. Ask any person from Latin or South America and they will tell you they are Guatemalan, Ecuadorian, Colombian, whatever. They will not say they are Hispanic-that is a US invented word.

And guess what? I am not Hispanic. But my US Citizen wife is from Colombia, she is Hispanic, she is educated, and she is completely fluent in English. Same goes for my kids, born in the US, bilingual and proud of their heritage. The stereotype doesn’t fit them, and it doesn’t fit most Hispanics in LatPro’s membership either.

I am posting this to show what types of intolerant, ignorant and bigoted people are still out there in this country. I am sure that with some effort and education, future generations of all ethnicities will have the ability to live and work together with respect, while still preserving and promoting their own cultures and backgrounds. Having bilingual and multicultural employees in your company will give you an advantage in today’s business environment.

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