Discuss the impact of Hispanic voters

 

Overview: Do you think Hispanic voters are more motivated by ethnicity or politics? Examine the impact Hispanic voters could have in Houston's mayoral election. Use this article and discussion/activity to have students learn more about the issues that unite and divide Hispanic voters. Challenge students to consider why data on voter demographics is valuable to political candidates and parties.

Curriculum Connections: Sociology, Government, Current Issues

After students read the CNNfyi.com story, "The politics of ethnicity, "ask the following questions:

1. Who is Orlando Sanchez? How is he hoping to make history? What is his ethnic and political background? What segment of Houston's Hispanic community usually dominates the city's politics? With which political party do Houston's Mexican Americans tend to affiliate? What could Sanchez's performance in the upcoming election indicate about "what's more compelling" to Hispanic voters?

2. According to Richard Murray, why is the Hispanic community in the U.S. less cohesive than the African-American community? What is Orlando Sanchez trying to do to demonstrate his cohesiveness with the Mexican-American community? Who are Sanchez's opponents in the race for mayor? Why does Sanchez's candidacy have the incumbent, Mayor Lee Brown, on the defensive? Why do you think both candidates prefer to talk about issues instead of race? Do you think this is a good strategy? Why or why not?

3. What percentage of voters in Houston's last mayoral election was Hispanic? In spite of this low number, why is it important for the candidates to mobilize the Hispanic vote? What is a "voter coalition"? Why do you think Sanchez needs a coalition of Anglo, Hispanic, and African-American voters to win? Even if he doesn't win, why does Sanchez consider his candidacy "part of a larger victory"?

4. What contributions have Hispanic and Latino leaders made to the American political system? Have students work in groups to identify and profile local, state, and national Hispanic and Latino leaders. Direct groups to select 2-3 of these leaders, conduct further research on these individuals, and create an informational poster about each one. Have groups present their work, and discuss each of these leaders' contributions, as well as the challenges they have had to confront. Display the posters in the classroom in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

5. Ask students to consider whether they think Hispanic voters are more motivated by "ethnicity or politics," as cited in the article. After brief discussion, divide the class into small groups. Direct each group to conduct research to learn more about the issues that unite and divide Hispanic voters. Have each group present its findings. Ask students: Do you think Hispanic voters should be referred to as a "voting bloc"? If a candidate wants to capture the largest number of Hispanic votes, are there any issues on which he/she should focus? If so, what positions should the candidate take on these issues? Pose the "ethnicity versus politics" question again to students: After their research and discussion, which do they think is more likely to drive Hispanic voters? Why? Discuss.

6. Introduce your students to the term "demographics." If necessary, have students locate and share definitions of this term. Then ask students to consider why data on voter demographics is valuable to political candidates and parties. Assist your students in conducting a demographic study of voters in your community. Students should contact the local Registrar of Voters, and consult recent population data compiled by business and civic groups. Students will want to focus on information about local voters by age, ethnic group, gender, etc. Discuss student findings. Ask students to consider how they would use this information if they were running for local office.