New York State: THE LATINOS NOBODY KNOWS

Note: Survey results are unsurprising because we have few influential Latina/o leaders. Many of those surveyed didn’t want to name someone because they knew it was “bullst.” Our leadership’s emphasis on “prominence” overpower, persistent disunity, and service as adjuncts to liberal white supremacy has weakened any real movement for social justice.

 Influence is not power but proximity to those who really hold power. That, in a nutshell, is the saga of the jurist LaSalle nomination. The fact that you have Jay-Lo and Mayor Adams (non-Latino) on the survey reveals that those views reflected more “name recognition” than any influence. But they make the “City & State” Magazine list of “influential.” LOL.

This is how “Politico” makes fun of us by placing J.Lo on the list, a silly preposition used to garner “hits.” A reflection of the realities of the petite bourgeoisie of a colonized and despised people mentally enchained by a colonial mentality so eloquently captured in Frantz Fanon’s classic work “The Wretched of the Earth.”  Take a minute to read the survey https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c8e392a94d71a16ff940402/t/64de586110496266c8fc4333/1692293218226/Latino_Poll_Results.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HWkYqQQlL7nBWBQz2IzgHO3K6TtJQLTqTwL0G2fvF-7RxkEJkJF5gmpI

 Political Playbook: 

JENNIFER LOPEZ FOR MAYOR? Nearly half of Latino voters in New York couldn’t — or didn’t want to — name an influential Latino leader in the state. Among those that could, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was the most frequently named, with 15 percent, followed by Rep. Adriano Espaillat with 7 percent, and Mayor Eric Adams (who isn’t Latino) at 3 percent. And entertainer Jennifer Lopez at 2.5 percent.

That’s according to a survey out Monday by BSP Research, commissioned by the Latino-owned Hamilton Campaign Network.

“The main highlight is how little awareness Latinos have of elected officials in general. And Latino elected officials in particular,” the firm’s founding partner, Luis Miranda, said.

 He said the losing battle over getting Hector LaSalle on the state’s highest court was one motive for the poll, not to mention all the punditry about what New York Latinos want; good data don’t back that. And 90% want to see more Latinos appointed to high positions.

Both Democrats and Republicans could do better to win over Latinos. Miranda said the poll shows: “It’s between benign neglect and hostility.” — Jeff Coltin 

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2023/09/11/adams-real-budget-crisis-is-here-00114966