It is not uncommon to hear about the “Latino vote” when discussing next month’s election. This is unsurprising because the perception is that the number of Latinos in the US has grown and it is possible that they will have an impact on the results. A few facts from the Pew Research Center:
“According to Pew Research Center projections, a record 27.3 million Latinos are eligible to cast ballots, representing 12% of all eligible voters”
“Since 2012, the number of Hispanic eligible voters has increased by 4 million, accounting for 37% of the growth in all eligible voters during that span”
How will this diverse population vote? They will, of course, cast ballots for all the candidates. Some will undoubtedly vote for Trump. They are not, after all, a monolith. That understood, there is no better way to push a diverse group in the same direction than to connect them via some sort of common attack. The Republican candidate’s comments about immigration, Mexicans, Spanish, and the construction of a wall on the US’s border will, for many, influence votes. In regard to this, Pew provides one more fact:
“Three-quarters of Hispanic registered voters say they have discussed Trump’s comments about Hispanics or other groups with family, friends or coworkers”
In this context a unique concert took place over the weekend. It happened at the Mexican/US border between Tijuana and San Diego. Called “RiseUp AS ONE” it was at once a celebration of Latino identity and a call for political action. The San Diego Union-Tribune provided a partial list of the musicians who were present:
“The lineup included Spanish singers Miguel Bosé and Alejandro Sanz, Colombians Carlos Vives and Juanes, Mexico’s Natalia Lafourcade, Mexican-American Lila Downs, Tijuana-raised Julieta Venegas, San Diegan Andra Day, Mexican-American singer Lupillo Rivera, the famed Norteño band, Los Tigres del Norte and Puerto Rican rapper Residente”
One after another, the people on stage communicated the same message that was succinctly summarized by one of the 15,000 people in attendance: “It’s time for Latinos to vote and to make our vote count”. This message was broadcast around the world thanks to the Univision and Fuision television stations. It is important because, as another Pew article informs us “Latinos’ voter turnout rate continues to lag other groups significantly”. No doubt, with this in mind, the concert happened so soon before the election.
Also, fortunately, the entire show can be found online here:
Also, fortunately, the entire show can be found online here:
Works Cited
Dibble, Sandra. "'RiseUp AS ONE' Concert Bridges U.S.-Mexico Border." Sandiegouniontribune.com. 16 Oct. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Krogstad, Jens Manuel. "Key Facts about the Latino Vote in 2016." Pew Research Center. 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Lopez, Mark Hugo, and Ana Gonzalez-Barrera. "Inside the 2012 Latino Electorate." Pew Research Centers Hispanic Trends Project. 03 June 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Dibble, Sandra. "'RiseUp AS ONE' Concert Bridges U.S.-Mexico Border." Sandiegouniontribune.com. 16 Oct. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Krogstad, Jens Manuel. "Key Facts about the Latino Vote in 2016." Pew Research Center. 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
Lopez, Mark Hugo, and Ana Gonzalez-Barrera. "Inside the 2012 Latino Electorate." Pew Research Centers Hispanic Trends Project. 03 June 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
