Former Republican chair has distorted view of Hispanics

Editor,

With regard to the recent controversy over Fernando C de Baca's racist comments on Hispanics not supporting an African-American person for president, it is obvious that C de Baca considers himself a white Hispanic and appears to be making the assumption that all Hispanics in New Mexico are white as well.

C de Baca and others like him need to be enlightened that not all Hispanics/Latinos are white. The Hispanic ethnic group is comprised of whites, African-Americans, American Indians, Asians and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

So what would his opinion be regarding whether African-American Hispanics would vote for an African-American president? C de Baca and others like him should take the time to educate themselves to the fact that the word Hispanic itself serves as an umbrella term for people of Spanish descent or origin with roots and traditions from many different cultures and different continents including North America, South America, Central America, Africa, Asia and Europe, and it also includes people of Southwestern United States who may call themselves Chicano and Chicana, Hispano and Hispana, and Latino and Latina.

In Albuquerque, information provided by the Albuquerque Human Rights Office states that in the metropolitan area of the about 202,054 people of Spanish descent or origin, of various races including white, American Indian, African-American, Asian and mixed races, the majority claim a diverse and rich heritage that includes the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, the U.S. and Venezuela.

So, to C de Baca and others who share your opinion, take the time to learn more about the rich and diverse Hispanic culture here in Albuquerque and in New Mexico.

Fran Miranda

Daily Lobo reader