- What is the DC Latino Caucus? The DC Latino Caucus is a DC registered non-profit organization that serves as a channel for the participation and involvement of Latinos in civic engagement and political activities within the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Through its PAC, the DC Latino Caucus PAC, the DC Latino Caucus will promote Latino involvement in the political process through voter registration and educational projects; endorsing specific Democratic Party candidates and candidates who are seeking an elective or appointed office affecting the Washington metropolitan area. The organization was registered with DCRA on March 18, 2011, with its own tax id and bank account.
- What is the DC Latino Caucus PAC? The DC Latino Caucus PAC is a PAC owned by the DC Latino Caucus used by the Caucus to engage in political activities in the Democratic Party. Its main purpose is to endorse Democratic candidates and elect two Ex-Officio Officers to serve on the DC Democratic Party. Membership and other information about the DC Latino Caucus PAC is available at the DC Latino Caucus website under link “documents.” The PAC has its own bank account and all financial filings are public records with the DC Office of Campaign Finance (OCF).
- What am I a member of? The DC Latino Caucus has a PAC called the DC Latino Caucus PAC. All membership is handled through the DC Latino Caucus PAC.
- How was the DC Latino Caucus operating before? The DC Latino PAC helped organize a Presidential Gala and had some rejection with the name PAC. The DC Latino Caucus name was first introduced after the Obama inauguration in 2009, in response to the DC Latino PAC name rejection. While the DC Latino Caucus name has been used, the name DC Latino Caucus was not legally incorporated or registered until March 2011. It is legal for members and affiliate organizations of the DC Democratic Party to operate in Washington DC without being legally incorporated. The organizations are registered as Political Action Committee (PAC) organizations with the DC Office of Campaign Finance (OCF). In fact, many of the member and affiliate organizations of the DC Democratic Party legally operate this way today.
- Are the PAC finances the same as the Caucus? Up until March 2011, the DC Latino Caucus did not have any bank accounts in its name or its own tax id. All bank accounts and any donations were handled though the bank account of the PAC and a PayPal account. All the financial statements of the PAC are public and can be view on-line at: http://ocf.dc.gov/IMAGING/SEARCHIMAGES.ASP. The PayPal account was opened in 2010 and every transaction that has hit the PayPal account since it was opened, is listed here. With the incorporation of the DC Latino Caucus as a legal organization, it now has its own bank account and tax id.
- What about elections to the DC Latino Caucus, and elections to the DC Latino PAC, I hear there was a challenge to the February 24, 2011 DC Latino Caucus elections? The Organization always has taken measures to correct flaws and prevent them from happening again. Much of the efforts to restructure the DC Latino Caucus, by incorporating the organization and putting together a Board, is in response to the most recent claim of election dissatisfaction. The DC Democratic Party assisted with the February 24, 2011 elections, and both organizations are working together to address all on-going community concerns. The DC Latino PAC does not have elections for Officers, it is tasked with electing the two Ex-Officio Officers to the DC Democratic Party and conducting endorsement for Democratic candidates. To learn more about the structure of the DC Latino, visit the DC Latino Caucus website at http://www.dclc.org and click on “DC Latino Caucus PAC Guidelines and Procedures” under documents link.
- How many members does the DC Latino Caucus PAC has? About 400, since the PAC originated in 2005.
- Are these all paid current members? No. After some consultation, the organization was made aware that it should not be charging a mandatory fee to have members. There still appears to be some level of confusion on this area for local/federal PACs. So the membership fee required on the application, had become a non-required donation/contribution. This wasn’t clear to a lot of people as not only some old applications were still in circulation with the old language requiring an application fee, but the website did not clearly specify that the membership wasn’t mandatory. The by-laws also were not specific about this change. Most PAC members are not paid members. Membership to the PAC are non-mandatory contributions. These contributions, usually for $10.00 or $20.00 are not tax deductible and are reported to the DC Office of Campaign finance.
- With this restructure can anyone be a member and can people from Maryland and Virginia be full voting members? We are pending final recommendation from the DC Democratic Party on this issue, but it is the intent of the DC Latino Caucus to continue its policy to allow ANYONE that has interest in the work we do to be a full participating member of the organization.
- Do you have to be a Democrat to join the PAC? Even though, the PAC does not have the word Democratic in its title, the DC Latino Caucus PAC is a Democratic PAC, it is so defined in its mission “to elected two Ex-Officio to the DC Democratic Party and to endorse Democratic candidates.” As such, the DC Democratic Party may ask that the name of the PAC be changed to include in its title the word Democrat.
- I do not want to be a member of the DC Latino PAC any more how do I terminate my membership? Send an email to information@dclc.org and indicate you wish to have your email (name) removed from the list. Your name will be removed from the list and you will not receive any communications from either the DC Latino Caucus or its PAC.
- How did you elect the 13 DC Latino Caucus Board members and who are they? The new Board is made up of community leaders and DC Latino Caucus PAC members. The new organization was incorporated legally and the incorporating Officers were tasked with the initial search for a diverse Board. To see how the board is elected and their terms, please visit the website, www.dclc.org and click on DC “Latino Caucus by-laws” under documents link.
The 13 DC Latino Caucus Board members are listed below. Check website later for a short bio of each member.
Algris Xiomara Aldeano, College Professor and author
Dulce Ceballos, Former DC Latino Caucus PAC Secretary
Mario Cristaldo, Housing expert
Franklin Garcia, Former DC Latino Caucus President
Angel Luis Irene, Community activist
Dr. Julia Lara, Education expert
Marina Martinez, DC Board of Elections employee
Dr. Silvia Martinez, College Professor
Valentina Pereda, Political activist
Aimee Elizabeth Pecot, Ward 7 Commissioner
Rosa Rivas, Former DC Latino Caucus Treasurer
Hector Rodriguez, Community activist and former membership coordinator
John Zotolli, Officer with Ward one Democrats
We want to extend a thank you note to all the Mayoral candidates that attended the Latino Mayoral Forum. On July 24th, about 100 people battled the heat and came out in person, and 36 participated on-line to hear the Mayoral candidates’ plan for Latinos in Washington DC. The big absent was Mayor Adrian Fenty. It is upsetting to us that we had changed the date of the forum from July 17th to July 24th to accommodate the Mayor, because we knew members of the community wanted to hear from the Mayor, even if under the condition of a candidate. His campaign had confirmed his participation in the forum. Not surprising, the campaign office is trying to play a game to excuse the Mayor’s constant neglect of the Latino Community. http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2010/07/26/%c2%bfdonde-esta-el-alcalde-del-distrito-de-columbia-adrian-fenty/.
Of the many times we have called on Mayor Fenty, only twice have we been able to get an affirmative response and an actual show. The first time was to attend the 2006 DC Latino Mayoral Forum as candidate for Mayor; the second time was to collect a check for $2000.00 we gave him when we endorsed him, also in 2006, shortly after the Latino Mayoral Forum. After that, regardless of the reason, our calls have been denied or ignored.
Our members’ endorsement vote on July 24th, 2010 of 37 votes for Vincent C. Gray and 1 for Adrian Fenty is the way some members of the Latino community are beginning to manifest their frustration and anger towards an administration that constantly neglects and disrespects it. We’d like to remind members and friends that in 2006, when we hosted the 2006 DC Latino Mayoral endorsement, then leading candidate Linda Cropp, did the same thing (didn’t show). Every candidate showed to the forum, including Candidate Fenty (who also won the endorsement). Linda Cropp received 2 votes.
Here are just a few of the DIDN’T SHOW from mayor Fenty in our community.
- On November 2, 2006, after having won the Mayoral Primary, we invited Fenty to a town hall meeting with the Latino Community. Over 500 Latinos showed to Carlos Rosario School for a presentation of Latino issues in the city. Fenty –DIDN’T SHOW.
- On January 17, 2008, we hosted the only Latino Presidential Gala in DC, guests included members of Congress, musicians and movie stars, local elected leaders, etc., where many of our local prominent Latinos were honored. Fenty –DIDN’T SHOW.
- On, March 8, 2010 a community meeting was organized with the President of El Salvador, whose community is the largest Latino community in DC, at Bell Multicultural School, we thought he would come, but –Fenty –DIDN’T SHOW.
- On June 17th, 2010, the community wanted a meeting with the Mayor. The request was channeled through various sources, including the Caucus, to get the Mayor to meet with members of the Latino community. A similar request came in for a meeting with the Council Chair, which took place. We are still waiting for the meeting requested with the Mayor.
We look forward to working hard with a united community and a loud voice that sends a clear message to Mayor Fenty that as a community we deserve as much respect as any other community in this city. We ask every member of this community and friends to stand with us in solidarity and also DON’T SHOW FOR FENTY.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000713502141&ref=search
DC Latino Caucus
**ESPANOL**
Queremos extender una nota de agradecimiento a todos los candidatos que participaron en el foro Latino de Washington presentado por el DC Latino Caucus. El 24 de Julio, cerca de 100 personas resistieron el calor y acudieron en persona, y otras 36 personas participaron por el internet a escuchar el plan que presentaron los candidatos a alcalde del Distrito de Columbia. El gran ausente fue el actual alcalde Adrian Fenty.
La ausencia del alcalde nos molestó porque habíamos cambiado la fecha del foro del 17 de julio al 24 de julio para acomodar el pedido de la campana del alcalde, y porque sabíamos que miembros de la comunidad querían escuchar al alcalde, aunque sea en condición de candidato. Su campaña confirmo la participación del alcalde en el foro. Sin sorpresa para nosotros, la oficina de campaña ahora intenta jugar un juego para excusar la constante negligencia del alcalde a la comunidad Latina.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2010/07/26/%c2%bfdonde-esta-el-alcalde-del-distrito-de-columbia-adrian-fenty/.
De las muchas veces que hemos invitado al alcalde, solo en dos ocasiones hemos podidos contar con su presencia. La primera vez fue para que se presente como candidato al foro Latino que tuvimos en el 2006, cuando se postulo para el actual cargo; la segunda vez fue para recibir un cheque por $2,000.00 que le presentamos cuando lo endosamos luego del foro Latino del 2006. Después de esto nunca mas dijo presente, sin importar el motivo de nuestra llamada.
Los votos emitidos por los miembros del Caucus Latino el 24 de julio de 2010 donde la membrecía favoreció a Vincent C. Gray con 37 votos y le dio 1 voto a Fenty es la manera que miembros de la comunidad Latina están comenzando a manifestar su frustración y enojo hacia una administración que desde sus inicios los ha descuidado y faltado el respeto. Recordemos que en el 2006, cuando patrocinamos el mismo tipo de foro Latino, la candidata que se perfilaba como la preferida, la entonces Presidenta del Consejo de la ciudad, Linda Cropp, hizo lo mismo (no se presento). Todos los demás candidatos acudieron a nuestro foro, incluyendo el candidato Fenty (quién ganó la mayoría de los votos). En esa ocasión Linda Cropp recibió solo 2 votos.
Aquí están algunas de las ocasiones cuando NO SE PRESENTO EL ALCALDE FENTY en nuestra comunidad:
- El 2 de noviembre del 2006, después de ganar las elecciones primarias de la alcaldía, invitamos a Fenty a una reunión con la comunidad Latina. Más de 500 personas asistieron a la escuela Carlos Rosario para una presentación de temas Latinos en la ciudad. Fenty- NO SE PRESENTO.
- El 17 de enero del 2008, auspiciamos la única gala presidencial Latina en el Distrito, invitados incluyeron miembros del Congreso Americano, músicos y estrellas de cine Latino, líderes locales, y otros, donde se honraron muchos Latinos prominentes locales. Fenty- NO SE PRESENTO.
- El 8 de marzo del 2010 se organizo una reunión de la comunidad con el presidente de El Salvador, cuya comunidad es el grupo más grande de Latinos en el Distrito, en la escuela multicultural de Bell. Nosotros esperabamos que él vendría, pero Fenty- NO SE PRESENTO.
- El 17 de junio del 2010, la comunidad solicitó una reunión con el alcalde. La petición fue enviada por varios medios, incluyendo el Caucus Latino, con fin de conseguir que el alcalde se reuniera con miembros de la comunidad Latina. Una petición similar se envió para pedir una reunión con el Presidente del consejo, la cual ocurrió. Todavía estamos esperando la reunión pedida con el alcalde.
Levantemos la vos para enviar un mensaje claro al alcalde Fenty, que como comunidad, nosotros merecemos tanto respecto como cualquier otra comunidad en esta ciudad. Hacemos un llamado a los miembros y amigos de nuestra comunidad que demuestren su apoyo y solidaridad y también NO SE PRESENTEN PARA FENTY.
DC Latino Caucus
Do you remember that time when South Carolina Republican activist and former state Senate candidate Rusty DePass responded with the comment, “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors {reference to Michelle Obama} – probably harmless.” Referring to a gorilla that escaped the Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina last year on Facebook? Or the comment made by the Mexican President Vicente Fox that Mexican immigrants to the United States take jobs “that not even blacks want to do?” Those were two comments I condemned. Without equating them, in recent weeks we have seen two bad comments surfaced.
First, it was Outfielder Torii Hunter a couple of weeks ago who made the remarks that black skin Dominican baseball players are imposters and that they would work for a “bag of chips.” Last Friday, a well known Mexican singer said that she would rather see a child die of hunger than see that child be adopted by a gay couple.
Let me start by advising Mr. Torii Hunter to think of his colleagues in the game of Baseball as colorless individuals that all seem to have a common love for the sport, regardless of color, race or nationality. But this hits an important topic that deals with Latinos as a race in this country. As I see it, color DOES NOT define the race of Latinos in America. And it appears that the 2010 US Census wants a shot at contesting that statement. If you take a look at US 2010 Census question number 8 (short form version), it prompts you to state whether you are of Hispanic/Latino origin. If you answer Yes, you still have to answer the next question, which prompts you for a race. Latino/Hispanic, so the census says, IS NOT a race. The next question, number 9, on the Race Category List, the colors white and black show up on the list, along with other races (Native American, Chinese, Samoan, etc.). Now, without getting too technical on definitions, one would wonder about the reasoning for this new way of trying to define Latinos. For example, as a race, when we use the term White in this country, my perception is that we not only put people in that category because their skin tone is the closer human shade to approximate that of the actual color, but probably more because they exhibit certain characteristics that are shared by most of those we call Whites. And the same would apply to Blacks or African Americans in this country. To understand why Mr. Hunter would make the statement that “they are not blacks, they are Dominicans,” you have to understand that the color of skin of most Latinos in this country is probably far from defining their race, or at least as it is understood in this country. So it is also not unusual to see a dark skinned Dominican/Cuban/Colombian referring to African Americans as “they.”
Without needing to result to fancy statistic, I would say it is safe to say that the majority of Latinos in this country would consider themselves neither Black nor White as a means of defining their race. If color defined Latinos in terms of race, you would see much less pockets of segregated communities in the inner cities, where you see Latinos of all colors in specific communities. To Latinos, race is much more than the color of a person’s skin, it is music, food, heritage, social and political hardship, and yes it is language, which IS the starting common ground for many, but far from being the ONLY attribute that unites Latinos in this country. It also has an element of the commonality of the countries of origin of Latinos. In this country, I have only seen Latinos be defined by the color of their skin in rare cases, and even those Latinos that profess to be defined by the color of their skin (Afrolatino) hardly ever find identity within the Black or White race in this country. Their “essence,” in most cases, continues to be dominated by their Latino culture.
So Mr. Hunter I must say that I am not surprise why they are not Blacks, but please don’t call them impostors. Understand that being Latino is not just speaking Spanish, or liking Merengue, being of a certain skin tone, or not even being born in a Latin Country (John McCain was born in Panama), it is a mixture of things, combined with a sense of pride and passion for something that binds, makes and defines us. That is what defines us as a race, Latinos.
On to the second comment made by popular Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio.
Last week, the singer who is in her 60s, made comments about her dislike of gay couples adopting children. The Mexican singer has expressed her opposition to the recent law in Mexico allowing same sex couples to marry and adopt children. What is sad about this situation is that somehow this poor soul has fallen trapped to time and tradition. It isn’t a secret that gay people in many Latin countries are depicted as being feminine, flamboyant, trying to impersonate a woman or in the closeted/pervert/pedophile role that makes headlines when caught with a minor. There is less display of the a more average looking person that is openly gay, and lives a “normal” life. Somehow there is always the portrayal of an element of wilderness associated with the gay lifestyle. So, without justifying any comments, one can see why there is still a lot of prejudice towards gay people in Latin countries that could lead to people disliking gays. But for anyone, anywhere, to want death to a child, by means of hunger, over having that child cared for individuals of a particular sexual orientation, must suggest that there is a high level of disgust and hate towards those of that sexual orientation. Not to dwell on the method of dying, but to want to see a child go through the horrible slow death of hunger over anything, is pretty brutal. All I can say is that I feel much sadness for this narrow minded lady.
Franklin Garcia
The writer is Executive Director of Unidad Dominicana and President of the DC Latino Caucus, which has passed Resolutions in support of Marriage Equality, which gives same sex couples in Washington DC the right to marry.
