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El Puma - UH Mexican American Alumni Newsletter - 1991


NOTE: In 1991 I produced a 12-page, 2-color newsletter for the UH Mexican American Alumni Association. I also wrote the following editorial which appeared on the back cover:

More Hispanics Needed In Politics

by Benito Alcalá

> Historically, Hispanics in Texas have been politically underrepresented. They have also suffered because of a lack of action by elected officials on many of the problems facing our community. Many of the problems facing Hispanics can be solved, but require access to and participation in the political system.

Hispanics in the Houston area have undertaken a series of strategies for empowering the community and broadening their electoral power base. These strategies include increasing voter registration, increasing voter turnout, and challenging political structures which dilute our vote.

The dramatic growth of the Hispanic community in Harris County is politically significant. Hispanics constituted less than 5% of the county's population in 1920, growing to 23% of the population in 1990. Hispanics now make up 28% of Houston's population. The 1990 census indicates that the Hispanic population in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria metropolitan area exceeds three quarters of a million, a 72.2% increase since 1980.

This potential electoral power is reduced because of two factors: 1) the relatively young age of the population means fewer voting age Hispanics exist in the population; and 2) the large number of noncitizens among our population serves to further reduce the number of eligible voting-age Hispanics.

Hispanic citizens over 18 make up one-fifth of the total population but they are registered to vote at a lower level than non-Hispanics. While significant gains have been made in registering Hispanic voters, rapid population growth means that these efforts will not only have to continued but intensified in order to gain true empowerment for our people.

The voter turnout patterns of Hispanics differ than that of non-Hispanics. The Hispanic community turns out in large numbers in primary elections statewide, but Hispanic turnout falls off in general elections, offsetting many of the gains the community has made in voter registration. Low Hispanic turnout in Harris County is especially acute and gives local elected officials a reason to ignore our concerns.

Education is the key. On a statewide basis, 70% of eligible Hispanic college graduates vote; the problem is that college graduates only make up 7% of eligible Hispanic voters. So what can Hispanic UH graduates do to make a difference beside voting in elections? Some suggested activities include:

  • Engage in the development of leadership skills. Organizations like the Mexican American Alumni Association provide an excellent opportunity to develop these skills, so participation in such organizations is important.
  • Voting is correlated with education. Become involved in activities which will improve our community's educational status. This includes contributing to the Scholarship Fund and participating in the Mentor Program.
  • Participate in mobilizing our community in local elections so that candidates who address issues important to us get elected. Equally important is holding our elected officials accountable for their lack of action on our problems.

Maintaining careers and raising families take up a lot of time and energy. Still, Hispanics must take the time to become more involved in political activities. We must not forget that where we are today as a community is due to the struggles of those brave men and women who came before us. Our participation ensures our voice will be heard.

Mr. Alcalá majors in History and Political Science and minors in Mexican American Studies at UH. Mr. AIcalá's views do not necessarily reflect the views of the UH Mexican American Alumni Association.



Originally posted Monday, February 02 2004 @ 10:44 PM UTC

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