BRIDGING DIVIDES: CHALLENGES IN UNITY WITHIN BUFFALO’S LATINO COMMUNITY

February 6, 2024 Buffalo Latino Village

It has been well over a year since I returned to Buffalo New York, after spending the previous twelve years in Florida and as started to reconnect myself with the Latino community here in Buffalo since I moved back, I’ve noticed how divided we are as a whole.

Buffalo and Western New York are home to a vibrant Puerto Rican and Latino community, but my observations suggest a concerning disconnection among its various segments. Instead of uniting for a common goal, one that demands a seat at the political and social tables other groups have worked hard to maintain, the separate groups that represent various segments of the Latino community seem to be vying for sole recognition and influence. This observation of course raises questions.

Is this Disconnection by Design? One pressing question is whether the disconnection within the Latino community is intentional. Are there underlying forces at play that contribute to the fragmentation? Understanding the dynamics behind this disunity is crucial to addressing the root causes and fostering a more cohesive community. One could argue that some groups, such as the Hispanic Heritage Council, being politically connected has worked in its favor, whereas others have been scrapping by for a piece of the proverbial pie.

Much of my observations were echoed in a full page “Three Kings Day Wish List” printed in this very publication just in last month’s edition of the Buffalo Latino Village where publisher Alberto Cappas proposed several gifts such as:

Amory Heritage: More Support from the Puerto Rican community leadership.

El Batey Puerto Rican Center: News coverage for all the wonderful work they do in Buffalo’s Puerto Rican community.

El Buen Amigo: A shared piece of the HHC 14 plus millions to complete El Buen Amigo construction

Hispanics United of Buffalo: A program to protect the lambs from the wolves across the street.

Progressive Puerto Ricans/Latinos: Stop attending out-of-town workshops and rallies, and begin to dedicate time to the politics and conditions of your community

Lower West Side Puerto Rican/Latino Restaurants: Join forces as a West Side Latino Restaurants Association, unite in purchasing your goods together, and save money, show appreciation to your customers by offering annual scholarships to their kids, and support your community organizations.

These are but a handful of the gift ideas proposed by Alberto and reviewing these, it’s a telling sign of the lack of an organized communal vision our community has.

While it’s essential to recognize the diversity within the Buffalo Latino community, acknowledging that it is not a monolith, it’s equally important to identify shared goals. Many individuals and groups within our community strive for better representation and a meaningful seat at the table. The challenge lies in aligning these diverse aspirations toward a collective vision for the community’s future.

Representation at the Table: Who Speaks for Us? One of the core issues contributing to the disconnection is the question of representation. Buffalo-based Latino politicians and politically backed organizations play a role in shaping the narrative, but there are concerns about whose interests they truly represent. Additionally, smaller grassroots organizations, diligently working to address community needs, often struggle to gain the visibility and recognition they deserve. I touched on this in a previous column, about the lack of local media attention given to our stories, however, the lack of representation in local media, spreading a positive and uplifting message needs to be continually repeated.

Navigating Political Agendas: Looking at the community and the needs of those who live within it, one cannot help but turn their attention to those who are elected to represent the community itself and whether they are doing the community any justice. It isn’t a surprise to acknowledge that most if not all politicians elected to office to represent a community bring their agendas to the table. Many times, more often than not, these agendas may not always align with the broader community’s needs, and as one who has been an observer of sorts over the last fifteen months, this seems to be the case with the politicians that represent the Latino Community of Buffalo on the citywide and statewide level.

Overlooking Grassroots Efforts: Amid political maneuvering, the invaluable contributions of smaller grassroots organizations such as El Batey, the Hispanic Women’s League, and Raices Theater Company often go unnoticed. These organizations, driven by a genuine commitment to community welfare, cultural and artistic education, personal and professional development, or economic empowerment face challenges in breaking through to a larger audience and securing the recognition they need to make a substantial impact due to the lack of what can be perceived to be political support.

Although I commend the Hispanic Heritage Council for the work that is being done on the Lower West Side, specifically with the building of the cultural center on Niagara Street, I wish the wealth were shared with other organizations who are also doing good things within the community but may lack in the political capital.

Building Bridges for a Stronger Future: Ironically, the Peace Bridge sits on Buffalo’s West Side connecting Buffalo to our Canadian neighbors, yet we need a bridge of sorts to connect our community.

Addressing the disconnection within Buffalo’s Latino community requires a collective effort. It involves fostering open dialogue, understanding diverse perspectives, and recognizing the contributions of all segments, especially the often-overlooked grassroots organizations mentioned above. By building bridges, promoting unity, and acknowledging our disconnect, our community can work toward a future where every voice is heard, and every organization plays a vital role in shaping its destiny for years and generations ahead. — Until next time.