How Will Mexican Americans Vote?
A weekly newsletter dedicated to unfiltered news, politics, and commentary. No apologies.
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SHOWDOWN OF THE CENTURY
With just two days until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making their final pitches to voters in critical battleground states. Both candidates are concentrating their efforts on areas that could significantly influence the election's outcome.
Recent polling data reveals a tight race with Harris enjoying a slight edge over Trump in two national surveys released Sunday. However, three other polls indicate that the candidates are nearly tied. Polling across seven swing states shows a virtual stalemate, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the election.
In Iowa, a recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll shows Harris leading Trump by a narrow 47% to 44%. This lead is significant, especially considering Iowa's recent shift toward Republican victories in the past two presidential elections. The poll suggests that the movement toward Harris is primarily fueled by support from older women and independent voters.
Trump continues to draw strong backing from his key supporters, including men, evangelicals, rural residents, and those without a college degree. According to FiveThirtyEight's election forecast, Trump is favored to secure the Electoral College in 53 out of 100 scenarios, while Harris is projected to win in 47.
Statistician Nate Silver's model suggests Trump has a 51.5% probability of winning the election. On Sunday, Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, while Harris targeted Michigan, with stops in the Detroit area and East Lansing.
President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race on July 21 after facing mounting pressure from party members following a disappointing performance in a June debate. He subsequently endorsed Harris, who declared her intention to seek the nomination.
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HARRIS HITS HIGH NOTES WITH LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE
Vice President Kamala Harris joined forces with the norteño band Los Tigres del Norte at a concert and rally in Phoenix, Arizona, aimed at mobilizing voters ahead of the upcoming election.
The event, hosted at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater, attracted nearly 20,000 attendees and featured a vibrant 30-minute performance by the band. During their set, they played popular tracks, including "Somos Más Americanos" and selections from their Grammy-winning album "Gracias!… América… Sin Fronteras."
Los Tigres del Norte, recognized for their political advocacy regarding social injustices and the immigrant experience, publicly endorsed Harris during the rally. Accordion player Jorge Hernandez encouraged the enthusiastic crowd to exercise their voting rights and make their voices heard in the electoral process.
Following the concert, Harris addressed the audience, outlining her vision for the White House. She highlighted key initiatives, such as capping grocery prices, providing tax cuts to over 100 million middle-class Americans, and implementing a federal ban on corporate price gouging related to groceries.
CHICANO STUDIES CLUB GOES “BIDI BIDI BOM BOM” FOR SELENA
The Chicano Studies club at Imperial Valley College (IVC) hosted a film festival this month to honor the beloved Mexican artist and singer, Selena Quintanilla. The event took place at the Pioneers Museum and was timed to coincide with the beginning of Dia de Muertos, a significant Mexican holiday celebrating the lives of those who have passed.
Attendees enjoyed a screening of the iconic 1997 film "Selena," alongside various activities, a costume contest, and an assortment of snacks.
The festival celebrated not just Selena's music but her enduring legacy as a symbol of Chicano success and empowerment. For generations, she has served as an inspiration to many in the Chicano community across the United States.
Dr. Miguel Chavez, a Chicano Studies professor at IVC and advisor to the club, emphasized the importance of Chicano Studies in educating students about their culture, history, and heritage. He noted that the program, which was established a few years ago, aims to raise awareness among residents of the Imperial Valley about their rich history, which is often overlooked.
Selena's impact was significant, as she bridged the cultural gap between Mexico and the United States, bringing Mexican music into the mainstream. Her achievements encouraged Chicanos to embrace their identities and express themselves authentically. The festival served as a reminder of her ability to inspire pride within the community.
Looking ahead, the Chicano Studies club plans to organize more events that celebrate influential figures in Chicano culture through film screenings. Brenda Ahumada, a student involved in the club, highlighted Selena's role in promoting empowerment and cultural pride, stating that she inspires Chicanos to be true to themselves and their heritage.
TEXAS HOSPITALS: SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS!
Beginning Friday, Texas hospitals will be required to ask patients if they are in the United States legally, as mandated by an executive order from Governor Greg Abbott.
The policy expands the ongoing tensions between the state and the Biden administration over immigration issues. Hospitals must track the costs associated with treating individuals without legal status, a move that critics argue could deter people from seeking necessary medical care.
Despite the new requirements, patients are not obligated to answer questions about their legal status to receive treatment. Nonetheless, Texas hospitals have spent months preparing for the change and are working to reassure the public that their medical care will not be affected.
Under the executive order announced in August, hospital staff must inquire whether patients are citizens and if they are lawfully present in the country. Patients can choose not to provide this information, and hospital personnel are required to inform them that their responses will not impact the level of care they receive, as outlined by federal law.
While Texas hospitals will not need to submit reports related to this new policy until March, state health officials have drafted a spreadsheet to track relevant data. This includes documenting the number of inpatient and emergency care visits while noting patients' legal status without collecting personal identifiers.
The reports will summarize costs for patients covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as expenses for those without coverage.
Texas's approach follows Florida's lead, where similar legislation has reportedly instilled fear among immigrants in need of emergency care, potentially leading to decreased hospital visits. Although early data from Florida shows that a small percentage of patients identified themselves as being in the country illegally, advocates in both states have expressed concerns about the negative impact on public health.
Texas hospitals have received guidance from state officials and the Texas Hospital Association to navigate the new requirements.
NEW MAYA CITY DISCOVERED IN THE YUCATÁN PENINSULA
A new archaeological discovery in the jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula has revealed a previously unknown Maya city named Valeriana.
The site features impressive stepped pyramids akin to those in renowned locations such as Chichén Itzá, Río Bec, and Tikal.
Utilizing advanced remote sensing technology, researchers mapped the area beneath the thick forest cover, uncovering a densely populated urban landscape along with its rural outskirts. The findings indicate that Valeriana surpasses any previously discovered Maya cities in Belize and Guatemala.
A collaborative team from the United States and Mexico identified over 6,700 structures hidden beneath the canopy, which includes a vast city characterized by pyramids, a freshwater lagoon, and two main architectural hubs interconnected by a network of settlements.
STUDY: “LATINX” PUSHING LATINOS AWAY FROM DEMOCRAT PARTY
The label "Latinx" has been in use since 2016 as a gender-neutral identifier for individuals of Latin American heritage in the U.S. However, new research by Georgetown's Amanda Sahar d'Urso and Harvard's Marcel F. Roman found that the term "Latinx" alienates Latino voters and may even encourage them to support Republican candidates.
According to Newsweek, the negative perception seems to be linked to its ties to progressive gender and LGBTQ+ issues, which don't resonate with more socially conservative members of the Latino community.
Experts believe this shift in support towards the Republican Party, especially in battleground states like Florida and Texas, is due to growing unease with the Democratic Party's progressive social agenda, which often incorporates terms like "Latinx."
Communications strategist Evelyn Pérez-Verdia noted that Latino voters are moving away from identity politics, leaning instead toward broader economic and social conservatism, and many are struggling to relate to the progressive messaging aimed at them.
LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS AND MEXICAN HISTORY
We're excited to announce the launch of our brand-new video series designed to deepen your understanding of the complex history that helped shaped Mexico.
This series features engaging lectures and courses led by experts, covering a wide range of topics—from ancient civilizations to modern-day movements. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, there’s something for everyone!
WATCH NOW: AMERICAN HOMEBOY MOVIE
American Homeboy explores the complex origins of pachuco and cholo culture which sprouted from American soil more than 100 years ago in response to wartime sentiment, social alienation, and government discrimination only to become a pop culture phenomenon. Watch it on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and The Daily Chela app.
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