Esther Vásquez / Bilingual Weekly Columnist
On February 17, 2011, Hispanics for Political Action (HPA) —the local Latino PAC (political action committee)— were to hold the election of its Board.
Yet the evening turned into a debate. Presidential candidate Xochitl Paderes arrived with a small army of enthusiastic new HPA members that quickly paid their dues so that they could vote for her. Among them was Patrick Motecuzoma Sanchez who had recently been asked to step down as Vice President of another Latino organization by HPA president, Michael Villanueva.
Mr. Sanchez was elected HPA Secretary despite the fact that he did not pay dues and had not attended prior HPA meetings.
First, Ms. Paderes was disqualified as nominee for the HPA because their bylaws state that she “must have been a member in good standing for at least one (1) year.” Additionally, receipts showed that Ms. Paderes was never a paid member.Offering no proof, Paderes insisted that she was a paid member, and argued that due to her campaign for City Council, she did not attend HPA meetings. However, she attended one meeting —March or April of 2010— when she solicited and received an HPA endorsement for her candidacy.
HPA member Louis Gonzales insisted to forgo the bylaws so Paderes —his relative—could run to be the group’s President. Despite calls by presiding Villanueva and other (clearly outnumbered) long time HPA members for the appropriate discussion, they were ignored. Mr. Gonzales made it a point to direct persons not voting for Ms. Paderes to raise their hand in support of her. Who would have expected this type of unlawful action by long-respected Luis Gonzales, former SUSD trustee? Finally Xochitl Paderes was elected president and Gonzales —who last month accepted a nomination to the HPA board— informed Villanueva that he did not intend further involvement with HPA.
This is how dictators take over —showing up with your armies. Oh! and having strong vocal cords helps, as well as having a family relationship or a trusted “friend of the community or organization.”
It is unfortunate that the hard work, credibility and political momentum that energized HPA last year has now became victimized by power seekers.
Ms. Paderes has now called a meeting to make changes to the HPA bylaws. Could this be an effort to justify her position?
This activity and election is clearly illegal. We should remember that just because a candidate shares our heritage, language, or color does not mean that that persons upholds the same belief system that we do.
(for news article on the subject, click here. For Motecuzoma Sanchez’s commentary on the subject, click here)
Jess,
I couldn’t agree more with your comments. We have to analyze ourselves and see what motivate us and it must be for selfless reasons. While we keep on to struggle to get “there” we have to wondered who are we really helping by having these kinds of disputes among us. But we also have to wonder if there is room for other Latino/as to take on the helm to deliver different ways of visions and leadership styles. Some of us who have been in a leadership capacity must give the opportunity to others. Some people who have been in leadership roles for a while may lack that vision. Leaders have followers and followers have leaders- they are not independent from each other and must move forward both- TOGETHER.
Posted by Angel Picon | March 3, 2011, 5:29 amReally? Pirates in San Joaquin County? What motivates a Pirate?
In comparing Latino Politics to the ocean and each Latino Political Organization to that of an Ocean liner navigating that ocean. This seems to me to be like a group of pirates taking over a row boat.
The question is why would a group not want to work together to make this row boat an ocean linter? As a political operative, the answer that I see very clear. They want some form of power or recognition established before the next Presidential election which is right around the corner in 2012.
Although often disappointed by things such as this, I try stay optimistic. It always saddens me to see such a waste of energy, and to see selfish, rather than selfless acts.
Our ocean, our navigation should always be based on knowing the True enemy and understanding the True goal. In Latino Politics, the enemy is Latino Voter Apathy and targeted Oppression and the goal is Equality and Justice for All. But, throughout this navigation, we must always remember to never become that which is our enemy, to never become the oppressors or the seeds of apathy.
Through the years I have seen the struggles and success’s of HEPA. Its navigation has been powered by the commitment, strength and dedication of a small group of loyalist. I do not personally know Mr. Villanueva, but to you and to all previous HEPA Leaders, I solute you.
To clarify a statement I have made above, HEPA is not an ocean liner because of its leadership, but rather because of our Latino apathy in powering that ship in the ocean of Latino Politics. Imagine how great it would be if those same take over people applied their energies to powering HEPA to be an Ocean liner.
To those of you who were part of this “Hostile” take over, I only ask that you re-evaluate your actions, because, if you retain your new positions, you will be faced with the reality that your new row boat will be powered only by you and not the strength of good leadership, leading good people. I promise you that people will see and know the truth of your goals.
Since 1994, I have seen our Latino Voter Registration numbers jump from 1.4 million statewide to 3.5 million. I have seen our Legislative representation go from 7 of 120 total members to 28. I have seen our Congressional representation double as well. I saw history being made when we elected the 1st Latina to the California State Senate, Hilda Solis, our current Congressional Representative from Southern California. I have seen over 60% of the Speakers of the State Assembly being held by Latinos. I have seen Latinos running for Statewide office, like never before. I have seen political parties courting our votes like never before. I have seen San Joaquin County go from 13% Latino Voter Registration to 25%. I have seen historical numbers of Latinos requesting Spanish ballots in this last 2010 Election..
The TRUTH is, if we open our eyes and educate ourselves on the Latino Political Ocean, it is WE, not I who have seen all of this. It has occurred, not because of the pirates in the Latino ocean, but because of the work, dedication and commitment to the goal. It has been Latinos working together to educate, motivate and be selfless in their efforts.
So, to my fellow Latinos, I leave you with these 3 hopes of mine;
1. If as Latinos we believe in Family as the root of our existence, then WE MUST VOTE, because our community is our family.
2. If as Latinos we hold strong to our hearts our faith, then WE MUST VOTE, because we must also apply that faith to our government of the people, by the people and FOR THE PEOPLE.
3. And last, but not least, if as Latinos we believe in hard work and a pride of craftsmanship , then WE MUST VOTE and work equally hard and participate in our government.
Sincerely and with an Undeterred faith in us all.
Jess Cervantes Jr.
Posted by Jess Cervantes Jr. | March 2, 2011, 7:00 pm