Today I worked. This semester I have an online Latin American literature course. It forms part of a MAT which means, thanks to the deep need for Spanish teachers in our region, that all of the students are professionals who have dedicated their lives to public service, intercultural communication, and language. Last week we spent time exploring the meaning of Latin America both outside and within the United States. This week we are tracing the evolution of literary expression in the twentieth century. In preparing for future lessons, much of today was used creating exercises that engage students with representation of marginalized voices. This is the nature of a Latin American literature course at the graduate level. It is a lot of work, but certainly worthwhile when the subjects and discussions are meaningful to the students.
Once I was done I visited twitter to see the news. At that moment the most noise circled around an interview Jake Tapper had done with Donald Trump. Tapper’s questions were aimed at forcing the candidate to address the racism implied by criticism of the Mexican heritage of a judge. There are certainly people who feel differently, but Trump’s fumbling answers were, for me, little more than confirmation of the prejudice behind his words. After spending a day focused on intercultural communication and pan-American connections, Trump’s argument that a judge’s Latino heritage essentially made him unqualified to do his job was saddening.
Once I was done I visited twitter to see the news. At that moment the most noise circled around an interview Jake Tapper had done with Donald Trump. Tapper’s questions were aimed at forcing the candidate to address the racism implied by criticism of the Mexican heritage of a judge. There are certainly people who feel differently, but Trump’s fumbling answers were, for me, little more than confirmation of the prejudice behind his words. After spending a day focused on intercultural communication and pan-American connections, Trump’s argument that a judge’s Latino heritage essentially made him unqualified to do his job was saddening.
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Among the people reacting on twitter was the journalist Jorge Ramos. He presented the theory that in today’s United States “no one can make it to the WH without the Latino vote”. The last census showed us that by 2050 our country will be a minority majority. Even earlier, by 2023, more than half of the country’s children will be minorities. Obviously a large percentage of this minority population is Latino and Trump’s language has the likely effect of transforming an important portion of this diverse group into a monolith focused on his defeat. Is it enough?
Fortunately I can write these words as I end the day watching the opening of the Copa América with a match between Colombia and the United States. Here’s hoping for the US!
Fortunately I can write these words as I end the day watching the opening of the Copa América with a match between Colombia and the United States. Here’s hoping for the US!
