Villaraigosa in Time Magazine
To save Chief Parker the pain of being labeled a kiss-ass for posting this, I'll save him the trouble...The 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America - per Time Magazine.
On the List: Antonio Villaraigosa
Two weeks after Antonio Villaraigosa was elected mayor of Los Angeles in May, he traveled to Washington, where people lined up to acclaim him as the new standard bearer of Latino political power in the Democratic Party. Expectations were high that as L.A.'s first Latino mayor in more than 130 years, he would usher in a new era for Latinos, who historically have been underrepresented in politics. But Villaraigosa was quick to show that his agenda extends beyond the interests of a single ethnic group. At a lunch for 200 Latino leaders, among them U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral and Deputy Assistant to the President Ruben Barrales, he said, "It's not about Latino power. It's about building a coalition." Two hours later, he popped another bubble when he told a convention of more than 1,000 Democratic Party activists that when he looked around the room, there were too many whites and if they wanted to take back America, they would have to be more ethnically inclusive. Coming from one of the nation's most ethnically diverse cities, Villaraigosa, 52, stands for a bridge-building, post-ethnic style of politics. "My message is one of bringing people together," he says. "I am proud of who I am, but I don't wear it on my sleeve."
Posted by Anonymous @ 8/15/2005 06:34:00 AM
68 Comments:
Hispanic?!!! Most Chicanos in L.A. don't even use this made up census term. But then again that is what Tony is, a made up leader. Most influential Jew would have been a more appropiate title - just follow the money and his stances on everything from landfills to appointments, not much of a Latino, is he?
Too bad Antonio wasted our tax dollars going to Washington and it didn't help Los Angeles. We got fewer dollars for transportation then other cities that are much smaller than LA. Sure looks like Antonio doesn't have the influence in WA that he thought or led people here to believe.
^No shit. Keep in mind that's what Congressmen and folks sitting in the House of Representatives in Washington to HELP lobby for us, all the mayor needs to do is come in to help reiterate or help bring local consensus to a particular cause (Why Neighborhood Councils are so important)
Keep in mind during the whole election campaign he was arm-in-arm with Maxine Waters selling out Los Angeles to private interests.
7:55 - Hey vato - most Mexican Americans have NEVER called themselves Chicano. No survey ever found more than a tiny minority at any time, anywhere, that did.
Nationally, like it or not, Hispanic is chosen by more people than Latino to identify themselves. It's particularly used in Texas, and just look at all the national organizations that use it. (I prefer Latino myself.)
Your own gente -- nuestra gente -- doesn't agree with you -- they keep voting for AV. That must really suck for you.
Is this top 25 list supposed to be in order of importance? What was the criteria for inclusion?
One standard is who will have some influence on the next presidential race and the Latino vote in particular. That would blow most the names off the list to make room for Henry Cisneros, Ken Salazar, Robert Menendez, Janet Murguia, Arturo Vargas, Ann Marie Tallman, Maria Echaveste, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Tony Garza, Dennis Rivera, Danny Villanueva, Hector Barreto, Roel Campos, Thomas Castro, Gloria Molina, etc.
"...there were too many whites and if they wanted to take back America, they would have to be more ethnically inclusive."
Mr. Mayor, how inclusive is your statement. Try to give consensus an opportunity to function instead of forcing us with your perceptions of one evening.
How many whites is too many whites? Is there an official number?
Absolutely right (8:12 AM) we did get fewer dollars for transportation compared to other cities as you say. It is a party tool to say big money is coming in, but when comparing it to it's size and other cities we got crap.
9:15 AM I like both Latino/Hispanic term. I rarely use Chicano, not in my vocabulary for business.
Cyberlady & 9:47 - I understand from more than one person who was there that a reporter got it totally wrong and this mistake has been repeated ever since. Nothing of the sort was said. I was told that MAV argued at length for political -- not ethnic -- inclusiveness, making it clear that liberal Democrats like those in the room need to craft a more centrist message and image. Notice that no real quote is used, just a reporter's interpretation of what MAV saw when he looked around the room and what he meant by its lack of inclusiveness. What he went on to say should have made it clear, but it didn't because some reporters only think in ethnic terms when they look at AV.
I don't like being referred to as a "Chicano." It is a derragatory term used back in the 70's that very militant. I refer to myself as Latino or Hispanic.
Sure looks like a credible powerful list here....NOT!!!
...live in the region from Hollywood types, including actress Salma Hayek and comedian George Lopez, to power brokers Antonio Villaraigosa, mayor of Los Angeles, and Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project.
Even Jennifer Lopez, listed as a New York resident, splits her time between the Big Apple and Los Angeles.
9:51
Thanks. Well, my take is if anyone in power, especially Latino/Hispanic who wants to build a coalition of consensus between people, must not feed into divisive comments. I am aware that politicians in a diverse city as Los Angeles, inclusiveness is a must. Reporters may think of Villaraigosa in ethnic terms (& that is also their perception), however he has had a long history of ethnic activism and that cannot be forgotten.
Doesn't it matter so much more that he has left all that behind and has been elected, after running twice, with a non-ethnic campaign? That the determined ethnics bash him for it? What are you talking about, anyway? He HAS built a broad and inclusive coalition. Did you miss the election results and exit poll breakdowns by region and ethnicity? You are way behind the curve, lady. He made no divisive statements. Just the opposite.
Hey Sam:
You gonna let that double ethnic slur in the first comment stand?
The guy insults both Latinos and Jews in one shot and you don't delete.
Wake up and spike it.
Hey 7:55 Vato,
Ask Tony what he calls himself. He was a Chicano militant in the 70's and still uses this term to describe himself - at least among his very little circle of old friends.
And you should look up the history of how the term Hispanic made it into the 1980 census. President Carter had put together a group of Latino leaders to agree on a national term for Nuestra Gente. Latino made the final cut but was shot down by Florida Cubans because Latino was too close to the term Ladino, the term used for Black Cubans. These racist gusanos had there way and Hispanic became the consensus term - after the island of Hispaniola - you know, the Dominican Republican/Haiti island, kind of ironic given the population of these nations.
Chicano has always been a political power term and you're right, not for business or the weak.
Villaraigosa's experiences have molded him to what he is today. You say he ran twice on non-ethnic campaigns, yes, this is why many people voted for him, including myself. Based on the two candidates, I felt he was the best. IF he continues to build on the benefit for all instead of some, this will help him in his future political career. Making careless statements can hurt a broad voter block (non-ethnic related/all people), and he will be vulnerable to media attacks.
However, he is not a saint, and must be held accountable for his actions as any other politician.
10:45
Call yourself what you want. Chicano/Latino/Hispanic. The problem I have with labeling people and groups is how you use it, constructively or to intimidate the remainder of society. I enjoy going to "Chicano/Latino/Hispanic" events, but I dislike attending events that ridicule the remainder of society for assimilating to the American Society.
Imagine, these terms are labeled to groups for political, cultural, or identity reasons, but in reality who is really these terms. Just one example, You have your immigrants from Spain who married Indian women. Now, let's check the Spaniards DNA who may have lineage of French, Spanish, Irish. What about the Indian, which tribes are they descendant from.
It boils down to this, we are all mixed, no matter where you come from. Enjoy your life, stop labeling, and if you do make sure it is for the cultural benefit and not a militant agenda that serves exclusion of other people.
10:23 AM
Don't worry about the slur, this person must have issues.
10:45
I failed to mention the following. What do you call a person who's ancestors were Spanish Jewish (Sephardi) with French ancestry immigrated to Mexico, married into Indian tribes and are now in America.
What I'm trying to tell you is that if we check the individual's family tree, you would be surprised at how diverse it is.
The proper scinetific term is "mestizo" - the old Spanish term from colonial Mexico to describe mixed blooded Spaniards and Indians, which literally means mixed. They also used the term "mulatto" to describe Africans mixed with Indians or Spaniards - Pio Pico, the last Mexican Governor of California was a self described mulatto. Of course, all these terms were adopted to establish a social pecking order, with white Europeans on top. Today, 90% of Mexican descedants are mestizo and there is a great monument to the "mestizaje" in Mexico City's central plaza. Antonio is a mestizo, claiming the term Hispanic is an afront to his indigenous ancestry.
Cyberlady
I am a Mexican with Jewish ancestry - I've traced my family back to 1419. But you ask, "What do you call a person who's ancestors were Spanish Jewish (Sephardi) with French ancestry immigrated to Mexico, married into Indian tribes and are now in America." By America I expect you mean United States. Well when my parents first came over during the bracero program they were called "wetbacks" and I call myself Chicano. I know other Mexicans with Jewish ancestry that refer to themselves as Raza, Latino, Hispanic, etc.,. but in Mexico we were all called "sefarditos."
Hey 10:45 Pendejo - if you knew either Tony or the local history that well, you would know that in the 1970s he went (along with a network of people that are still around all over the place) from calling himself Chicano to calling himself Mexicano. After that came the transition to Latino.
You are wrong both about the origins of the term Hispanic (a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and you have very little), and the decision to introduce it into the Census. You are so wrong about the term "Ladino" that it's hopeless.
Chicano, which I called myself too back then, meant different things to different people. Don't kid yourself about power. It's mainly rascuachismo. Look it up, baboso.
"You can't out-Pachuco ME, ese!"
Well, I am a caucasian Jew of Ashkenazic descent, but I call myself, and all of you, Americans.
If you choose to add ethnicity, such as Mexican-American, that is up to you, as well, as those who call themselves Jewish Americans.
But, we are all Americans, and the sooner we realize this, the better our society will be.
By the way, Hitler made no distinctions, nor do the Islamo-fascists. They are equal opportunity killers.
Why should we?
11:20 - Hispanic refers to a Spanish-speaking background, not race. Mexican mestizos are Hispanic too. To deny it is to deny part of yourself, which is unhealthy.
There is no monument in the Zocalo in Mexico City, just a giant flag. You must mean the plaque in Tlatelolco.
Anon 11:37 - The line from Zoot Suit is:
"Don't try to out-Pachuco me, ese."
- Luis Valdez
PS - check out the DVD - just $10 on Amazon! Please!
The only label that consistently fits our esteamed mayor is that of habitual and opportunitic liar.
He has yet to keep a substantive promise, now in his THIRD year on the city payroll.
Let the spin begin!
The phrase we need to all learn now, for those who want everyone to be on AV's "team" is:
"máquina de political"
Daley, Rizzo, Villaraigosa. . .
don't bother complaining, or you WON'T be a good "team" member or get the perks allotted them.
I heard Luis Valdez give a talk once where he called himself "Anglo-Hispanic." That set off some hissing from the mainly Chicano university crowd...
Phil,
Awesome post. Exactly, we are all Americans.
It is not about color, it is about philosophy of life. What kind of life do you want? People leave their country of origin for political, financial, and religious reasons. In America (United States) anything is possible. People come here for different reasons, but ultimately seek what the US can give them, and opportunity to change their lives.
AV has said that he's gone from calling himself Chicano, to Mexican, to Latino, to American.
From the intro to the Time magazine piece:
"..in a Time poll of Hispanic adults, 42% said they choose to be called Hispanic, only 17% said Latino and 34% had no particular preference."
www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1093637,00.html
Phil Krakover, don't forget the former Governor of New Jersey, he was a Gay-American.
11:44
Obviuosly you haven't been to the Plaza. There is a monument with La Malinche, Cortez and there son Martin in honor of el mestizaje.
Jesus Christ, let me try this shit.
Chicano: second generation or higher born person of mexican decent.
Pocho: derogatory term for Chicanos used by mexicans, either in Mexico or as immigrants in the US.
Hispanic: term meant to strengthen the ties between Spanish-speaking countries of the new world and Spain (the Mother Country). Rarely used in Latin America; forcibly applied to people of Latin American decent living in the US by Cuban-American media magnates in Miami (they despise anything Pan-Latin American, since that usually has connotations to the Cuban Revolution and the leftist, anti-capitalists movemments in Central and South America that continue to this day in places like Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and more markedly, in Venezuela).
Latin American: term used to identify the people south of the Rio Grande. Their characteristic is usually that their mother tongue derives from Latin (Spanish, Portuguese, French) although many English and Dutch speaking, as well as indigineous speaking peoples are included. Nevertheless, in the region, this is a widely accepted term.
Latino: derived from Latin American, used by Latin American immigrants to the US to label themselves.
So you can use Chicano, or Mexican-American, or Salvadorean-American, but if you want to cast a wide net, the more accurate term is Latin American or Latino.
Hispanic/No Preference/Latino:
Who was polled? Don't be surprised if this was an all-South Florida affair...
I second that, who was polled?
Anon 12:47 Informative post and opinion. Following the terms you used on your post, the "American Heritage Dictionary" states:
Chicano-
NOUN:
pl. Chi·ca·nos
A Mexican American
Usage Note:
Chicano is used only of Mexican Americans, not of Mexicans living in Mexico.
Pocho--"Sorry, we have no matches"
Hispanic-
ADJECTIVE:
Of or relating to Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin America.
Of or relating to a Spanish-speaking people or culture.
NOUN:
A Spanish-speaking person.
A U.S. citizen or resident of Latin-American or Spanish descent.
Latin American-
NOUN:
A native or inhabitant of Latin America.
A person of Latin-American descent.
Latino-
NOUN:
pl. La·ti·nos
A Latin American.
A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States. See Usage Note at Hispanic.
Salvadorean American-"Sorry, we have no matches"
Bracero-
NOUN:
pl. bra·ce·ros
A Mexican laborer permitted to enter the United States and work for a limited period of time, especially in agriculture.
Mestizo-
NOUN:
pl. mes·ti·zos or mes·ti·zoes
A person of mixed racial ancestry, especially of mixed European and Native American ancestry.
Mullato-
NOUN:
pl. mu·lat·tos or mu·lat·toes
A person having one white and one Black parent. See Usage Note at octoroon.
A person of mixed white and Black ancestry
His·pan·io·la-An island of the West Indies east of Cuba, divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Sephardi-
NOUN:
pl. Se·phar·dim (-dm) KEY
A descendent of the Jews who lived in Spain and Portugal during the Middle Ages until persecution culminating in expulsion in 1492 forced them to leave.
One thing I don't understand about posters that assume that Pacheco supporters are Anti-Villaraigosa. You are so wrong! I voted and believe in Villaraigosa, but I will not support Huizar. Not all Villaraigosa supporters agree with his decision in endorsing Huizar and there are many of us.
What is wrong with supporting Pacheco, he will do more for our community.
How was the Pacheco BBQ?
12:43 - you are obviously thinking of the "Plaza de las tres culturas" -- which is in Tlatelolco and is not Mexico City's "central plaza" as you said earlier. The DF's central square is the Zócalo. Nobody refers to it as "the Plaza" and there is no monument there.
Antonio has proven that he is from the old school Chicano therories. It was posted here that he had the Mexican Gov't at his campaign headquarters during mayoral race.
Also, he's failed to do anything about the illegal vendors in CD14. Why is it that other parts of the city goes after them and at least controls them?
12:49 & "cyberlady" 12:56
Look here for the whole poll results:
www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1093764,00.html
The web site doesn't have a methodological note, but would it make a diff? Do either of you know diddly about polling? Time reports a country of origin breakdown (58% MexAm, 5% Cuban) that matches the 2000 Census.
I bet you can find a methodological footnote in the printed copy that includes polling period, sample size, margin of error, etc.
2:21 PM:
Acceptance of "Hispanic" tracends racial/national lines. The more affluent one is, the more likely they call themselves "Hispanic" or or mark themselves as "White-Hispanic" on a census poll.
Also, those Latinos seeking more material wealth are more likely to catalogue themselves as "White" rather than anything else or a mix thereof.
How many Latinos are NOT "seeking more material wealth"? Every union member I've ever met, every immigrant you meet, anybody looking for a job or a raise or a promotion is. Anybody who has a business, wants to start one, or a house, or a new car, is. Who's left?
Let me clarify. Not all Latinos are obsessed with self-wealth accumulation. Union leaders, activists, even some politicians (beleive it or not) are more concerned about the greater good than their own damn wallet.
Those Latinos who only watch out for themselves are the ones that like to distinguish themselves from the hoi poloi that ran over Pico-Union.
What is the diference between Latino, Hispanic, and Chicano? I mean what are you if you are born in America? I mean lets get with the program people, we are all AMERICANS!! I don't get this crap of.. don't call me by color, but people continually say "white" instead of Caucasion you don't here them crying about it!!Lets be Californians or Americans and do the best we can for L.A. Quit crying and clean up your own backyards.
2:27/2:46 - Open up your mind a bit, things aren't so pinche black and white. Cheech Marin is successful, lives in Malibu, has a great art collection. We are all better off for it. It's traveling, and still in Lincoln Park but just until Saturday. See:
www.plazadelaraza.org/Redone/Gallery.html
You can do well for yourself and good for society too. There are many other ways, so if you don't like this example, just think a bit before getting self-righteous or ideological.
2:09 PM Hey Poster-
Antonio did have Mexican officials at his 1st street location campaign office. Their presence was strong and helped him tremendously with calling the Latino community for the vote. Good people, just not too crazy about Mexico meddling in American politics, especially local politics.
The communist party representative Munoz was also present passing out party literature.
2:21 PM
Gracias blogger.
2:09/4:39 - TOTAL BULLSHIT. How can you live with yourselves? Doesn't the stink ever get to you?
4:52 PM
Your full of B.S. or did not volunteer. Great that Antonio won, not great that Mexico sends reps to local politicians campaign offices and interfere, influence, or bribe.
You are making a wild charge with utterly no evidence -- not a hint. That's worse than B.S. YOU ARE YOURSELF HORSESHIT! Put up or shut up.
Truth hurts.
Yeah 5:32,
The truth does hurt... but I get no pain from saying "Antonio won!" Hmmm, yeah, it actually makes me happy.
2:21 Anon
Voting Results
"Villaraigosa had 202,861 votes, or 59 percent, to 140,416 votes for Hahn, or 41 percent."
This is not a large gap. It still exists the fact of 41 percent of the people did not want Villaraigosa to win (that is 140,416 voters).
Villaraigosa did not win by a landslide, many who took part in voting for him are not legally allowed to vote, but they did anyways. Ethics get to work and stop allowing illegals to vote.
You obviously don't know the definition of an electoral landslide. Give it up. Find something else to do.
5:39 PM You are borderline mentally challenged. Truth does hurt you and others knowing of Campaign staffers recruiting outside help to get votes. Pathetic.
It is not an electoral landslide. When you disqualify all the illegals who voted--you will see more realistic numbers. You av supporters drool with this Mechista dressed in Armani suits, milking the poor. av made fools of CD14.
I'll find something else to do, audit you and your friend av.
There are 3.8 million residents in Los Angeles. The mayor election had less than 400,000 who voted. Looks like a large percentage didn't care and didn't want Antonio.
There was a news article about the Mexican Gov't at Antonio's campaign headquarters. Someone shld research and post.
5:49 Precisely, at every election there is low (very low) voter turnout compared to the total amount of residents. You have to realize from those residents how many are registered and did not care to vote and how many from those are illegal. All of our figures are hypothetical, even the census, for the fact of many residents not disclosing they exist in society (fear of ?). Still, the 41% who did not want AV to be Mayor is VERY LARGE percentage. Not every voter likes him.
Geez, Mayor Frank, where did you get that picture of AV? He looks like he just swallowed his legacy. . . and it don't taste good. You would think that is all you had going for you was a (one-time) pretty face (or two faces?), you would make sure to keep smiling when the cameras were on.
Looks like an outtake from "most wanted."
This list should have been titled "The 25 who have had the most relationships and breakups in America"
People with multiple failed relationships.
It's interesting how people respond to the success of others in different ways. Some are impressed or interested. Others are envious, especially if they can't understand why they themselves have not had similar success.
Psychology was invented in large part to try to understand people like some of those who have been posting here. They have trouble coping with reality -- that AV beat them and their leaders in the public arena, by the rules we have established as a society. They try to make sense of this by devising a fantasy world, in which AV is evil, or part of some evil plot, that subverted the way the world really should be and will be again, once they win.
Listen up. The first step toward mental health is to learn how to lose with a semblence of grace. Learn from the experience. Learn from the experience with some humility, or find something else to do that you can do better. Or just eat shit and die.
9:29 hates me I am going to cry in council chambers, oh wait...my name must be alex padilla.....wahhhhhhhhh! :(
"I am proud of who I am, but I don't wear it on my sleeve"
-- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on his Latino heritage.
Has the Mayor been crowned King yet?
^No he hasn't. He has to get a circumcision first, So he has a crown on both of his heads.
as far as i know you need to win by one vote.
Antonio is getting FAT!
And his face is sagging!
Better call your westside physicians to do some surgery or something!
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