Dolores Huerta says that the Latin contribution to the US It does not stop growing
From the fields of California and even the skyscrapers of New York, the economic and cultural contribution of Latinos to the United States has grown in the last decades and continues to do so, assures Efe in an interview with the veteran Hispanic activist Dolores Huerta.
"In recent decades we have seen how, little by little and thanks to the struggle of many, Latinos have earned a recognition in this country," says the co-founder and the first emeritus vice president of the United Farm Workers Union ( UFW).
She emphasizes that such is the importance that the Latin culture has "integrated" into the American life, whether it be music, food or its deep-rooted family values.
But the 88-year-old activist goes further and recalls that the "first contribution" of Latinos was the "fourth part" of the current territory of the United States, which previously was part of Mexico.
But even so, he regrets that for decades Latinos have had to struggle to get the recognition they deserve.
"Our workers in the fields, hotels, factories have fought against discrimination, for obtaining better wages, conditions of employment," he says.
This struggle has not been and still is not easy, something that she herself experienced firsthand when she joined the peasant movement, which she led with the now deceased César Chávez, in the 1960s.
"Our workers are the ones who feed the country and, however, do not receive the recognition they deserve and the support they need," says Huerta.
It indicates that leaders like Chávez have fought alongside them to obtain this recognition, so that their contributions are valued and solutions are given to their needs.
And, although he says that progress has been made over the years, there is still a long way to go.
"We must continue working to end discrimination, especially now under the administration of President Trump, where they are constantly attacking Mexicans," says the Neomexican.
But the activist born in 1930 was optimistic to indicate that Hispanics have advanced in political representation and great victories have been achieved by electing mayors, governors and congressmen in recent years.
In a context in which the presence of candidates from minorities, as well as women, in the ballots next November, Huerta does not rule out that in the future the United States may have a Latino president.
"I think that with the political environment that we currently have is not yet possible, but maybe in six to eight years we will be able to have a Latino president," he says.
The defender of the rights of farm workers ensures that in order to achieve this change and transform the future of Hispanics in this country, it is fundamental to exercise the right to vote, especially among the new generations of Latinos, something that has not been happening in the past. last electoral appointments.
"Each year almost one million Latinos turn 18. It is fundamental to educate our young people about the importance of voting," he acknowledges about this arduous task.
Ensures that young Latinos are those who will have the power to "change" the face of their representatives within their communities and the capital of the country.
In his opinion, not in vain, and for many years, Hispanics in the United States have been described as "the sleeping giant", which recognizes their cultural, economic and political importance.
"Other groups know very well that we Latinos can be a true political force," he says.
"These elections will show us if the 'giant' has finally awakened, we are seeing important changes in states like Arizona and Texas, traditionally republican states where conservative politicians could lose the election and this thanks to the Latino vote," he says.
