Winds of change - Opinion

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, June-July, 2003 by Henry Cisneros

Over the years we have watched the ascent of Latino political leaders who rose in the way the times demanded, fighting battles for justice, such as Cesar Chavez and many others who paved the way for a new generation of leaders.

Today, we have a rapidly growing number of talented young people who have been educated in rigorous academic programs. And our population has grown so large that many segments of American society recognize that they too must have Latino representation--companies, political organizations, foundations, and universities. More and more American institutions recognize that they need to have a Latino at the board table. Companies know that unless they have Latino experts they are not going to be able to tap the Latino market, and that unless they have Latinos sitting on their boards they are not going to be seen as responsive to Latino consumers. The market place is now working for us in terms of its sheer mathematics.

I have no doubt that we are going to see incredible leadership breakthroughs in the next few years--residential candidates, congressional leaders, governors and senators, and heads of corporations, foundations and universities. Over the next decade we are going to witness a sea change in America. I fully expect that by 2012 we will have a Latino candidate for the presidency. By the end of the decade we are going to have viable candidates for the US. Senate from states such as Illinois, California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Colorado.

This is a locomotive running down hill. But to accelerate the process we must become citizens in large numbers. We must register to vote, and then we must vote in order to make those numbers work. We need public school reforms and improvements so that more young Latinos can graduate from college and go on get good jobs and become part of the middle class. Then our economic muscle will begin to approach the political muscle we are developing.

Our leaders must be able to garner votes from non-Latinos--from mainstream Americans--even as they advocate a Latino agenda. They must find ways to make the Latino interest and American interest the same thing. They will build on the common ground that includes Latino concerns about education, and workplace improvements, and small business growth.

Americans believe in growth opportunity, and a better future. But in return for investing in such an opportunity society, they also believe that people must work hard; educate, develop and improve them selves: and play by the rules. That is the modern American social contract. We are an opportunity society. But the rewards are not given; every American must work for them. And that is perfectly in sync with Latino values. Our people come here to work hard and to give their children a better life. They believe in family and faith. We are perfect for the core American idea. Our leaders must articulate that message so that Americans do not see Latinos as people foreign to their interests and ideals, but rather see us as the latest embodiments among immigrants of how the American idea is lived.

The next generation of Latino leaders will be the first to have total access to power. Until now we have had only a few individuals admitted to the decision-making centers of America's institutions. In the next decade we will be introduced to new leaders who will be wielding real power on our behalf. Access to the levers of American leadership will become the doorway through which millions of Latinos will pass en route to having the full range of opportunities that this great nation offers.

Henry Cisneros is one of the most respected leaders in the political and social arena. San Antonio, TX-born Henry Cisneros is the founder and Chairman/CEO American City Vista. A former mayor of San Antonio, he has also served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. President and CEO of Univision and was an Assistant Professor at University of Texas and San Antonio.

He can be contacted at Email: hcisneros@ americancityvista.com or Tel (210) 228-9574