TKC ENCOURAGES PROFESSIONAL HISPANICS TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN KANSAS CITY'S LATINO COMMUNITY AFTER THE ELECTION AS WELL!!!

The most interesting thing to me regarding this primary vote was the increasing role that Latinos are playing in Kansas City politics.

For better or worse, there wasn't one unified voice but many independent operatives employing their ethnicity for their political purposes . . . Which is perfectly acceptable for all of us who don't have Mr. Peanut's millions to throw around in order to accomplish our goals.

However, the only troubling aspect of referencing Kansas City's Latino Community as a rhetorical device is that "our" problems don't stop after elections are decided.

Even more importantly, a simple fact needs to be put on blast for everyone to understand:

JUST BECAUSE A WHITE PERSON WORKS OR EMPLOYS A HISPANIC DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE ANY STANDING IN KANSAS CITY'S LATINO COMMUNITY!!!

For instance, without question I know that Will Royster has done a lot of great work for The Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood. However, I know for a fact that NOBODY in the Latino community cares about him. To say otherwise is simply a lie.

Similarly, Crystal Williams is working with TKC favorite Theresa Garza Ruiz but that doesn't mean Crystal has any relevance, interest or understanding in the problems faced by Latinos in Jackson County.

Get it straight . . .

COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM IS AT THE CENTER OF THE LATINO STRUGGLE IN THE UNITED STATES!!!

Hell, this is even a subject on which The Kansas City Star's token Latina and I can agree.

On the subject of Immigration, the Northeast News reports that Will Royster supports a stance that veers away from even the most hardline Democrat talk and mimics what The Republicans are saying.

Check the EXCELLENT reporting from The Northeast News:

"Concerning illegal immigration, both called for cracking down on corporations that hire undocumented residents. Rizzo added that he agrees with the current Kansas City Police Department practice of not checking people’s citizenship status. He said it is more important for all residents to feel comfortable coming forward with information in violent crimes.

Royster said he is opposed to racial profiling, but did allude to a difference of opinion concerning the KCPD’s non-enforcement of immigration laws.

“I will be giving vociferous input to the governor as to how the Board of Police Commissioners should be appointed,” he said."

Without a doubt, this direct quote from Will Royster signifies that his election would put Latinos in Kansas City in jeopardy. In the end, this is one of the main reasons I couldn't support him no matter who was running his campaign or whatever ethnic arguements were made.

Similarly, The TKC decision to support Henry Rizzo was easy given that he won the La Raza Political Club endorsement easily. On this issue, Longtime Community Leader and Democrat Committeewoman Lali Garcia (who runs La Raza Political Club) was my guidance.

Garcia has provided DECADES of experience, volunteerism and support to Kansas City's Latino Community BEFORE so many current political players ever ventured into this community. Even recently, Lali was the prime force behind the scenes in a recent City Council decision to rebuke Arizona Hate Law . . . And again, she wasn't accompanied by any of the players in this primary.

So, in case anybody didn't pick up the common theme here . . .

TKC ENDORSEMENTS, WEB BANNERS AND BUTTONS WERE PRIMARILY BASED ON THE BEST INTERESTS OF KANSAS CITY'S LATINO COMMUNITY AND WERE GIVEN FREE OF CHARGE!!!

I'm sure some of my own bias weighed in as well but I just wanted to offer even more of an explanation of my endorsements and signage on this blog. For those who doubt or want to waste time coming up with conspiracy theories regarding Kansas City's favorite blogger . . . Check campaign finance reports for yourself and I would like to personally challenge anybody to prove that took any money/cashed a check from any candidate or committee or anybody else related to my endorsement UNLIKE our friends at The CCP or Freedom, Inc. Seriously, any transaction would show up there because nobody is breaking campaign finance law for this dumb blog. But I digress . . .

The point here is that so many Professional Hispanics invoking the name of "the community" would do well to make their words more accurate by actually spending time in the community AFTER the election without an agenda from their partners or employers. Even if they weren't pushing any particular cause, candidate or service . . . I'm pretty sure their presence would be welcomed.