In reference to Democracia's Young Voter Poll, the research is not only useful for standard political use when outreaching to this demographic, it also serves to give all Americans a window into the future of this country. Whether you are a Tea Bagger conservative, a Berkley liberal or anything in between, most Americans hesitate to think what will happen to this country when 12 or so million immigrants come into the fold to become part of the American tapestry. Will our country look and act the same? Will we still have a commitment to the Old Glory, the US Constitution and Apple Pie values? Will my kids grow up in a world where English will still be spoken? Heck, will we still be celebrating George Washington's birthday, or will I be forced to celebrate that of George Gonzalez- whomever he might be.
Fair-minded American patriots have the right to be asking themselves that question. They're not much of a patriot if they're not. But the answer does not lie on whether immigrants, Latino or otherwise, will stay or go. The answer really lies in whether these immigrants are taught the rule of law, have access to accurate information, be active participants in the democratic process, and ultimately be good neighbors. In the end, that's what fair-minded Americans really want.
These bicultural, bilingual, English dominant, self-identified young Latino patriots paint a clear picture as to what kind of future the evolving Latino presence in this country offers us for the next several decades. In spite of personally feeling the sting of discrimination, 97% of these young respondents think the US is the "best country in the world"- with, by the way, very little difference in sentiment between US and foreign born.
So if you're wondering how immigration reform may play out for America's future and that of your family, or maybe you're trying to decide whether the extreme effort of AZ's new immigration bill is a necessary evil or not, read the poll and....breathe. By all accounts, we will all still be enjoying a family barbecue on the 4th of July for a long time coming.
Read the full report here.
Democracia Ahora’s mission is to increase the prominence and participation of Hispanics in every aspect of the political process. D-Ahora is committed to a grassroots approach which involves staying engaged year round in the communities we serve. With a staff of more than 40, a burgeoning Leadership Academy Alumni, and a growing list of volunteers and supporters, D-Ahora sustains operations in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with an executive office in Washington, DC.
D-Ahora is committed to advancing federal and state legislation vital to Hispanic communities. Democracia Ahora's work on legislative issues is grounded in our commitment to the basic principles of equality under the law and opportunity for all. D-Ahora seeks to educate, empower and engage established and new citizen advocates on the issues that matter to their families, their communities, and their country.