Latinas and Political Representation

Midterm elections are finished, and after a few months break the big race to 2016 will commence.  If you’re like me, you love political season.  If you’re like most normal people—you hate it.  Regardless how you feel about the systems and parties in this country, I want to introduce you to a new organization called Latinas Represent.  A nonpartisan group dedicated to helping Latinas get in the game.  Latinas compose only a little over 1% of elected officials, a dismal number.  As we’ve mentioned again and again, all women’s issues are Latina issues and often it hits us even harder.  So why aren’t we running to make things better?

Latinas Represent’s analysis shows that many Latinas don’t run because they don’t think they’re the perfect candidate—much different perspective than the men!  But couldn’t we change the picture if we gave ourselves permission to stop and ask—even if I’m not perfect, could I run? Maybe not now, but in the future could I do it?  What improvements could I create in my community if I ran? It’s never too soon to think about future goals and career plans.  If we all stopped to think about our political power, capacity, and potential we may surprise ourselves by realizing that politics is a door we want to open in our life.

Or maybe you assess it and think, nah.  That’s cool too. Latinas Represent really encourages not just that we consider running, but that we encourage others to run.  Maybe you want no part in politics but you know a badass Latina that could really make a change in your community.  Encourage her!  Latinas Represent has many stories of Latina candidates who didn’t consider running until someone said to them, “why not you?”  So, even if we don’t put ourselves in the game, we can be the catalyst in someone else’s political career.

Another important option to consider is that our participation doesn’t have to start in the big leagues right away.  We can join boards, community organizations, or alumni associations.  All of this helps create change, and just as important, it helps bring in a Latina’s perspective in a place where we may not be often represented.

So elections are over—we have a brief moment before the frenzy begins again; before it starts, take a second to learn about Latinas Represent and ask yourself:  Why not me?