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Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
Activists gather outside the Lloyd George Federal Building in a protest for immigration reform Saturday, April 10, 2010.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
Sunday, April 11, 2010 | 2:01 a.m.
Sun archives
Sun Coverage
Nevada Democrats have a huge problem this fall.
No, it’s not the bad economy that has voters in a sour, anti-incumbent mood. Or the poor approval numbers of the Reid family, the father-son duo of Harry and Rory who are atop the Democratic ticket as candidates for Senate and governor, respectively. And no, it’s not that Republicans have found their legs with the help of the enthusiastic Tea Party movement.
Those are all bad enough, but they’ve got another problem: Hispanic voters are tired of Democrats not delivering on their promises.
Matt Barreto, a University of Washington political scientist and consultant with the firm Latino Decisions, points to recent polling that should scare the daylights out of Democrats.
“The number of Latinos who say they are enthusiastic about midterm elections is the lowest we’ve ever seen,” said Barreto, whose firm polls extensively among Hispanics. In 2006, 77 percent of Hispanics were excited about voting. In a recent poll, however, just 49 percent were excited.
As Barreto noted, midterm elections usually feature lower turnout, which means victory hinges on energizing the party’s core supporters rather than persuading swing voters.
For Democrats, Hispanics are an important part of that base, especially in Nevada.
President Barack Obama won Nevada Hispanic voters by a 3-1 margin in 2008 while also pushing up their turnout considerably — Hispanic voters comprised 15 percent of the Nevada electorate, compared with 10 percent in 2004, according to exit polling and data compiled by the Pew Hispanic Center.
If they stay home in large numbers, Democrats, including both Reids and Rep. Dina Titus, likely lose.
For Democrats on the dais at Saturday’s big downtown immigration rally, which drew several thousand people, the event was a great way to reach out to that base.
But it was also an awkward affair.
On that key issue for Hispanic voters — comprehensive immigration reform — Democrats haven’t done anything. Obama mentioned it in one sentence in his State of the Union address.
There’s been some theater about taking on immigration this year, with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., establishing a “framework” for legislation. At the rally, Reid reiterated his desire to bring legislation to the floor this year. But the conventional wisdom in Washington — granted, that gives it an even chance of being wrong — is that Congress will do financial regulatory reform and another jobs bill this year, and then head home to campaign.
It’s easy to see why they haven’t gotten around to immigration this year: Congress has had a full plate, and immigration is a divisive issue that will fire up the Republican base.
Still, invited guests at Saturday’s rally were there to pump up Hispanic turnout — but can’t offer up much in return.
“You have a lot of elected officials who have made promises to get it done,” said Michael Flores, a local organizer for Reform Immigration for America. “People in the streets are discouraged.
“We are trying to spur them into action,” he said of the elected officials.
Barreto thinks it would be smart politics for Democrats to take up immigration. It could help Democratic turnout. True, it would animate Republicans, but they’re going to turn out in big numbers anyway, so he thinks it would be a net positive.
On health care, another key issue for Hispanic voters, Democrats again fell short with that bloc. Hispanic activists were disappointed with some provisions of the law, saying it is not progressive enough and doesn’t cover enough of the uninsured.
“It was underwhelming in the Latino community,” Barreto said.
It’s hard not to get a sense that Democrats think they can take this constituency for granted.
They do so at their own peril.
This is humorous.
I'm sure this fall the Hispanic voting block will go heavily Republican/Tea Party!
Ha Ha Ha!!!
What a stupid sheet-stirring article. Mexicans as teabaggers? Yeah, how's that working out for you?
to all of our hispanic friends...
let me be real clear...
the stupid pathetic ugly lying always making a threat or fear mongering republicans are NOT your friends...
they don't like your...
they want to export you...
so...
you better not let them win in november...
you better not feel sorry for yourselves...
you better not stay home on election day...
you must stay the course...
you must vote...
you must fight fight fight...
and make no mistake...
we proud liberal dmocrats are the best friend's you have in this process...
Hispanics have painted themselves into a corner just like blacks. Both groups have no place to go except to the Democrat party. Lets see Democrat politicians controlled the congress during the last two years of the Bush adminstration and had absolute control the first year of the Obama adminstration and did what for Hispanics, NOTHING! With a near 10% plus national unemployment rate and 13.9% in Southern Nevada no action will be taken on amnesty, thank god for the next few years. How is that change working out for you. Remember November.
Quit screwing around on the cpu and back to work. There are tens of millions of illegal aliens depending on your taxes.
Most Hispanics are more conservative than people understand. Only a few of the radicals calling for open borders are the socialists like the Reids.
Hispanic culture is Christian. Protective of the unborn, against gay marriage, in favor of freedom and opportunity without having to pay corrupt politicians and union leaders for the right to work.
The economy must be fixed for anyone to succeed and that is for Hispanics as well. Higher taxes and more give away programs do nothing to help the Hispanic voter as they are hard working people that are tired of government taking from them as well.
Better be careful of what you wish for, RATS! Long term, most Hispanics will be socially conservative GOP voters. In my experience, very few are La Raza, or Black, "Gimme,Gimme" type voters. They are much more like the european immigrants of the early 20th century. They go to Mass, they love their kids and they work hard. They want to build a better life for their families, the right way! I see them every day, going to school,learning english on their breaks and striving to become Americans. I'm retired and work part time in a retail environment where many of the employees are Mexican. Folks who think that our hispanics will join the obama gimme, gimme welfare base, are nuts. They not only have nothing in common with these people, but, like many Americans, the Mexican I work with have absolutely no use for those lazy takers! America will be fine.
"I'm sure this fall the Hispanic voting block will go heavily Republican/Tea Party!"
Yes, please continue to drink the koolaid.
If one looks at the detail polling data of Hispanics they will detect that Hispanics are somewhat more social conservatives than even white people.
They have a strong componment pro-life and anti-gay agenda elements.
It is one of the core reasons why in polls there is a trend of more people becoming pro-life because more and more of the population mix is Hispanic.
But I hope Democrats totally ignore reading the polls.
Are the hispanics going to vote Republican in big numbers this fall? No
But over time, I think that they will be some split of hispanics between the two parties... perhaps not a 50-50 split but a big enough spilt to even out things.
In the 2004, about 40% to 44% of hispanics voted for Bush according to CNN who cited a Pew Research poll.
According to the same article, Hispanics only make up about 8.6% of the population that actually votes.
Also, the Democratic party is throwing blacks under the bus when it comes to illegal immigration efforts. The Democratic party lusts after the potential votes that illegals can bring to the table. So they look the other way when illegals hurt the unemployment rate amoung young blacks especially for construction jobs.
Also, once Hispanics become the dominate ethnic group in nation (in about 70 to 100 years) then it probably will result in the reduction of black power in the Democratic party machine.
Here......drink another glass of koolaid....just ignore those polls.
Attention Nevada politicians: Stick to creating jobs and improving the housing market in Nevada - this would also greatly benefit the latino community, as well as the broader population. In other words, more bang for your buck.
If the unemployment rate in Las Vegas is still 13-14% in November with a dismal foreclosure rate, the prospect of immigration reform will not be enough to save you. Spend some time working on the local economy, if you haven't noticed already, it's kind of in a bad place right now and the future does not look bright.
I would suggest to our Hispanic friends not to take advice from an obviously illiterate individual who is incapable of writing in complete sentences.
My grandfather came here legally from Mexico and became a citizen. His citizenship paper has always been proudly framed with an American flag and it hangs on his wall since long before I was even born.
Grandpa has lived in what used to be a really nice neighborhood with predominantly mexican people for over 50 years. He and his neighbors, also mexican, absolutely hate the illegals. They claim the illegals are ruining their neighborhoods, stealing, joining gangs, using and selling drugs, and giving the race a bad name.
If the voting population, meaning legal immigrants, are against illegal immigration, who are Harry, Dina, and Shelly pandering to?
Is it the non-voting illegals?
What crap. Republicans will alienate hispanics with the tea bagging trash even more.
And for you bible banging scum, hispanics are not as religous as you paint them. Mexuco City has gay marriage and they love unions.
If they were such a great base the bible bangers would be courted them for votes.
The tea bagging white trash will help spread more republicann hate this year.
Hispanics voted dem 70%. That wont change.
I counted 9 busses from California parked off the strip yesterday at 40 people per bus, that's 360 people. I bet most of the people in the croud were from out of state. They brought all their Latin American home country flags and displayed them proudly, trying to win over my support. These Democrat union people don't care about you. They care about your union dues in their pockets and you're too stupid to realize that. Do you think Richard Trumpka was here to see how he could comfort you when you need clothes for your kids? They're pro abortion and most hispanics are pro life. Did you ever get a job from a poor person? ARE ANY OF THESE PEOPLE POOR? Do they act like Caesar Chavez? Berkley, Reid, Titus, Trumpka and Guttierez are all millionairs. How did they make their money? Off the backs of poor people telling you they care. Did you call someone looking for that health care for you uninsured kids yet? Get ready to mount that solar collector or windmill on the bed of your lowrider because 4.00 per gallon gas is comming. Oh, and guess what, you can't blame Bush! Make sure you vote Democratic.
Mexicans hate homosexuals? Mexicans hate communists? Mexicans hate abortionists?
Hey, folks! You don't have to be Mexican to be socially and politically conservative.
I welcome the legal Hispanic vote, no matter which party they vote for.
Just like our children, they usually start out as Liberals but turn Conservative as they grow in knowledge and experience.
Larry,
it's true because the immigrants that have become legal citizens are hard working people that have earned what they have, grown their own businesses, bought their own houses, and raised their own children without "handouts" or the government trying to do everything for them.
This new breed of entitled illegals are frightening!
Henderson,
I agree completely with your statement. It seems like we think alike and have known each other for a long time...
U.S. Rep James Sensenbrenner (R, WI) started a round-them-up immigration bill in early 2006, that the GOP backed and resulted in millions of Hispanic-Americans voting Democratic in the '06 and '08 election cycles -- found a cool site; Balkingpoints ; awesome satellite view of earth
The first thing the teabaggers mention is illegals getting Healthcare - you got to be kidding. Thats how the rich have always manipulated the poor; encouraged fighting between the groups. I don't like the Corporate Democrats too much myself; but who are we going to turn to,the guy who hired Gonzales or the Guy who hired Solis. How have the Rich kept inflation down and unemployment up ? Immigration. How have the rich busted Unions ? Immigration. How do the Rich undermine our Democracy ? Denying citizenship and having Second class Citizens
Sandoval, McCain, Lowdon, Palin all want amnesty. They should vote for them.
If you repeat a lie enough people will believe it- something said in the last Depression.
hookershaky....so if the illegals become legal will that not increase the cost of ObamaCare to the US government and to Nevada's Medicaid cost?
Larry,
It's like you're in my head!
Henderson,
Are you "rich" like me and the rest of Conservatives who have to pay income taxes to support our Liberal friends???
"Mexicans hate homosexuals? Mexicans hate communists? Mexicans hate abortionists?"
By that standard they should join the party of hate.
Hispanics voting republican just shows that they can be dupped into voting against there own interest just like any group of people.
Replublicans welcome the vote, but they will never give them respect.
The democrats in Nevada are afraid of the lack of enthusiasm among Latinos indeed. They have done all they could to foil the Real I.D. for Nevada and the United States, and the illegal aliens ... vote. Oh yes... illegally vote and with the knowledge of the powers in Reno. They have knowingly broken the law over, and over again. They thought they had them in paw!
But they don't represent a huge number in the population that votes. While it is nice to have, the rest of the people in the fields of Senator and Governor will do just fine when the votes are tallied. 'Ten for Tark' still lives and breaths, and I am betting Reid does not go back to Washington.
Yes! I hate paying taxes because I want all of my riches and treasure for myself!
Attention Hispanics. You have a choice. You can vote for the clowns on left or the jokers on the right, or you can vote for someone who understands your problems and can help to fix them. I would appreciate your vote.
Fred Conquest
Democratic Candidate for Governor
www.fredconquest.com
Mexico and "Mexicans" have changed while you were polishing up your stereotypes. I believe Mexico City allows gay marriages and legal pot in small quantities. The Average number of children in a Mexican family is 2.1, it was 4, 15 years ago. I'm sure you can get abortions any time you want in Mexico for a price.
The funny thing is their self-aggrandized feeling of importance and intelligence when it comes to politics. This is more whining for their own people - they ARE a special interest group. If they want to vote Republican and think they're going to see any changes from that side they're nuts. They will do anything that's self-serving with no sense of loyalty or belief. This behavior proves that.
Remember that the Republicans are pushing for $100 million to build a wall along the border, and Arizona is a Republican State that has cameras trained on Taco Bell to record potential alien activities.
@ hookershaky - It seems like you don't believe that this new HEALTH CARE BILL doesn't provide health care to people who are in this country illegally?
HERE IS A WAKE UP CALL FOR YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE. ILLEGAL NON-US CITIZENS ARE OOVERED!
look at the following POWER POINT VIDEO presentation that describes what is covered in the Bill. It cites the page number (50), and Section number (152) - and describes the coverage the LAW SAYS WILL BE PROVIDED: AS FOLLOWS:
"HEALTH CARE WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL NON-US CITIZENS ILLEGAL OR NOT - ILLEGAL OR OTHERWISE"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcBaSP31B...
There are a lot more line items shown in this 10 minute video that should outrage the majority of US citizens.
Most people KNEW THIS STUFF WAS IN THE BILL, but we were told it was not. We were LIED to - and NOW WE WILL PAY FOR IT - DEEPLY, in the form of forced insurance plans, taxes, fees, less coverage, etc.
SO if you think UNEMPLOYMENT IS BAD NOW, WAIT UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT implements this BILL, and FORCES YOU to pay to play, or get fined, or go to jail. If you can't afford Health Insurance, and the co-pay for medical care NOW - you won't be able to in four years (after Obama's planned re-election)
THIS IS SOCIALISM AT ITS FINEST. America is becomming a SOCIALIST MODEL by going down a parallel socio-economic path that caused the bankruptcy and failure of ARGENTINA - a country that was once as rich a farming and industrialized country as America, until socialism and taxes became their new political game-plane.
And you know what? This is still America, so someone wants to offer a rebuttal to this video, so be it. Free Speech is still allowed (at least for now).
But think about a little more than just yourself for a moment - because our government is transforming America into an EGALITARIAN Society, and you and your children will pay, and have less - and that opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness is fading away.
DON"T BELIEVE THIS CAN OR IS HAPPENING?
Just read this RUSSIAN NEWS ARTICLE about our Health Care legislation. It comes from PRAVDA - an on-line RUSSIAN newspaper. This reporter is critical of the health care Bill, and documents and forecasts AMERICA'S DEMISE under Presidnet Obama - and the Democratic-majority in Congress.
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columni...
Have a nice Sunday. Knowledge is initiates action.
The-Socratic-Inkwell. The YouTube thing is wrong.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/...
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-2...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar...
Illeagls will not get the health care. Before you fire back at me, look at the links the same way I watched the YouTube video you linked.
Now have a burrito and calm down.
@ Chediski: You took the words out my mouth. They flip flop to whichever side satisfies their needs. If the majority of immigrants believe Republicans are going to be anymore sympathetic to their needs than Democrats they are sadly misinformed. I would suggest they watch Fox News network just for a simple understanding of the Republican party.
I'm registered without party affiliation, but I've never voted for a Republican for a position other than judge. I think that will change this year. I can't vote for Harry Reid after his decision to go on spring break while he let pressing flood insurance and unemployment issues sit. I can't vote for his son running for Governor either, because as much as I despise Gibbons, I despise family political dynasties even more.
Decide for yourself whether YOU are in a world of financial hurt as is this country, with unparalleled Illegal immigration. What as law abiding citizens can do about, it's now and future impact? Involved heavily in this, is increased and out-of-control overpopulation that will follow any AMNESTY, with chain migration of family migration, adding millions of more people to our already exhausted ecosystem and hundreds of billions in government entitlements? YOUR DOLLARS? ABUNDANTLY CLEAR IS THAT THE POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON CAN AMEND IMMIGRATION LAWS IN THE 1986 IMMIGRATION CONTROL & REFORM ACT. LEARN WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR FAMILY AND AMERICA at--NUMBERSUSA-- with over a million members. Here you will find a condemnation-list of man-women who--MUST--be retired from Washington and state seats in future elections. For accepting or catering to the illegal immigration occupancy on our soil, and this must begin with Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) in midterm?
Hey Harry...
Adios amiiiggggoooo!
what is this hispanic democratic loyalty you speak of? most hispanics are socially conservative. most of the hispanics i know (i'm one too) are pro life and anti-entitlement (i'm the opposite). in 2004 the majority of hispanics voted for president bush. that leads me to believe that hispanics vote more on the candidate than the party. after being largely neglected by bush (he at least tried) and completely ignored by the republican controlled congress for 6 years who can blame them for wanting some new blood in there?
it's true the democratic party needs to do a better job of reaching out to hispanics but this whole idea of loyalty seems quite contrived or misplaced.
@ By chediski
Ok. I looked at the web sites you mentioned, but what is being said and what is being legislated seems to be two different things; or at least it is ambigious.
The politfact.com site you mentioned, quotes the language of the Bill on page 50, Section 152 as saying: "Page 50, ... is part of Section 152, which includes a generic nondiscrimination clause saying that insurers may not discriminate with regard to "personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services."
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? It is ambigious. More importantly, it is subject to willful interpretation by the courts later, as to undefined scope and meaning - a problem that often arises in legislation.
I believe I know double-speak when I see it, and this P-50, S-152 language seems to be it - intentional or not. This is probably why the plain English verbiage used in the video I cited says: illegals can get health care; again, an interpretation made from perceived INTENT (without further legal explanation available).
In the CBS reference you provided it does say explicity that "Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid" and cannot buy insurance in the "Exchange." HOWEVER, that does NOT specifically exclude Medicare plans, and "low-income people." Those people are not clearly defined, unless it is buried in the 2,700 pages - as to the INTENT of HC this legilsation.
In closing, I suggest that discussions such as this one about legislative intent could be reduced if the Congress would include THE INTENT of each area of any BIll, to further describe what it's supposed to do, the intended result.
Doing this would not be difficult. It could be done during the process of adding the "legislative language" to any Bill. But then, Congress could not write ambigious legislation that might have a hidden agenda.
Witness: Speaker Pelosi's comment: "we have to pass it so we can see what's in it." Is that MISFEASANCE, or what? Certainly, it seems unethical.
Larry has a disciple!
How cute!
Larry is the disciple...
They will move to the Green Party.
Socratic - well - guess we'll just have to wait and see per your comments.
Socratic,
If this bill is written like the one last summer, it will say that non US residents cannot obtain credits for the exchange. It also said that nobody could require proof of citizenship so figure that one out.
You also need to look really closely at the grants the bill provides to healthcare providers. That's where they buried a bunch of low-income minority stuff last time with absolutely no citizenship requirements for the recipients.
I haven't fully read this version, but I bet it's there.
If they make the illegals legal then will get ObamaCare.
It will cost hundreds of billions that they did not account for.
chediski and henderson - thanks for your comments. But don't forget to look at my parting comment above where I mentioned the article written by a RUSSIAN editor - about America's demise.
This is probably more important that Health Care or any other current Bill, just because IT TOOK A RUSSIAN editor to document and alert us to what he sees happening to our country, and our economy!
Where are the American watchdogs? Where is the dialogue about such issues?
It's political posturing, unfortunately for the proponents of immigration reform, it ain't happening this year and if midterm Congress seats majority of Republicans, immigration reform won't happen until he** freezes over. Essentially, immigration reform is caught between a rock and a hard place. I say call their bluff, vote Republicant and see how long you wait.
Got popcorn?
Once the Hispanic voting block see that Harry can not win reelection, they will drop him like a hot potato and vote for the Republican.
Hispanics know that they must support the winner or become a non entity in influencing whether or not the country debates immigration reform...
What Larry and I are trying to say is that we're tired of being called greedy and hateful by the very people that are constantly reaching into our wallets.
I like how some posters think that all of the mexicans in this country are illegals.
Dippy, what did you not like about:
"Once the Hispanic voting block see that Harry can not win reelection, they will drop him like a hot potato and vote for the Republican.
Hispanics know that they must support the winner or become a non entity in influencing whether or not the country debates immigration reform..."
A fine piece of work...
@Henderson,I don't think one thinks Tbaggers are greedy, hateful yes, but not greedy. WE all work hard for our money and want to see it put to good use but when you raise the level of bantering to fever pitches of spitting in the face of congressmen and racial epithets to get your point across your movement loses credibility and the ability to address issues civilly. In other words, you look clownish.
to yeahmaybeyoureright:
First of all, I don't think it's accurate or fair to assume that every person trying to get the attention of Congress is a Tea Party member.
Secondly, I have never spit in the face of congressman or hurled racial epithets. Nor have I seen any video of this incident you speak of.
Thirdly, that would be like me accusing you of throwing eggs, when I'm sure you weren't one of Harry Reid's supporters throwing eggs at the Tea Party bus.
That was on videotape, by the way.
So by your standards, it must also be fair for me to say that those Harry Reid supporting egg throwers make you look clownish and destroy your credibility.
No?
Or does it only work the other way around?
It's all about timing. If Obama throws down all he has, he won't have anything else to bribe his foolish constituents with. His constituents are always wanting something else and they will always want something. Everyone has seen this tactic in real life because they have used it on dogs. If you want your semi intelligent dog to do something you hold up the treat to get their attention and then you give them orders. You have the option of throwing the dog the treat right away but then you may not have the control you had with the treat in your hand. Dems need their dogs to vote but won't toss out the treat until after they vote. Or maybe they will continue to hold the treat back.
yeahmaybeyoureright,
Quit taking the liberal pompous approach to topics. Tea Parties are no more haters than you are. Someone does not become a hater because they don't agree with you or by your measuring stick, you would be a hater too.
The liberals have plenty of bad seeds but try to debate Henderson instead of setting up weak strawman arguments.
I'm a Mexican and hate Sour Kraut.
This is my question about all these so called polls how come Ive never been contacted?That's why I say alot of these pools are just bull!
If that guy in this picture is black he needs to realize Mexican for the most part hate blacks, it makes me sick to hear other blacks talk about how the U.S took land from Mexico, wake up, our jobs go first, as they already have. These illegal aliens are taking over this country, and they don't give a damn about any of us, white or black. Not all Mexicans are racist, but for the most part Mexican nationals could care less about any of us. There should be a mass deportation.
@Henderson
Where have you been under a rock? Or do you typically debate on issues you have no clue about?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/28...
Notice how rabid dude is...lol. You weigh in on it, egg on your face or spittle? Or maybeyoureright....lol!
yeahmaybe-
I've seen that clip and no doubt that was one pissed off constituent. Nevertheless, only a fool would conclude that he was deliberately spitting. He was trying to be heard. Evidence of that fact is the officer behind him that most certainly would have arrested the man if he had deliberately spat on anyone.
Unlike the egg-throwers that were deliberately trying to throw eggs and threatening violence by shouting, "Get him out of here or I'm going to jail." in reference to Andrew Breitbart.
@Henderson
"Secondly, I have never spit in the face of congressman or hurled racial epithets. [Nor have I seen any video of this incident you speak of."]
Then you follow up with this.....
["I've seen that clip] and no doubt that was one pissed off constituent."
So what is it your lying eyes are trying to tell you, see when you try to prove your point stick with the facts or else your motives become disingenuious....so it's ok to be spat on deliberately or not, because the constituent is pissed off, is that what your eyes are telling you?
"Unlike the egg-throwers that were deliberately trying to throw eggs"
No argument there, they were some pissed off constituents.
Oh nevermind, maybeyoureright....lol.
There is a difference between spitting on someone to spit on them, and accidentally spitting when your are talking.
Go ahead and tell me you don't know the difference.
Also, remember the egg-throwing Harry Reid supporters the next time you want to accuse me of spitting in a Congressman's face.
Hispanic community essential for improvements in society and government. It may well seem that they were left behind, they cannot let that happen. If they go silent, those against change will win. Must encourage our Hispanic community to not only vote but seek office locally, regionally and nationally. They are a large future voice that must be reckoned with but that voice (it seems) a bit too weak right now. We must foster environment for them to join and fight for equality and justice in our system. We all deserve no less.