Posted on 07/15/2008 3:47:38 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – The National Council of La Raza spends most of its time protecting and advancing the rights of Latinos through advocacy and community work. But as it wraps up its convention downtown, it has found itself defending its name.
That's because activists who oppose illegal immigration are saying in e-mails, during street protests and through the media that “La Raza” means “The Race,” and have been calling the organization a hate group.
The accusations have prompted soul-searching among NCLR supporters as to what the name actually means and stands for. Most say the situation is the result of a word lost in translation.
In the past few days, organizers have addressed the issue at news conferences and on their Web site, where they explain their interpretation of the name.
“While it is true that one meaning of 'raza' in Spanish is indeed 'race,' . . . words can and do have multiple meanings,” reads the statement. “ 'La raza' means 'the people' or 'the community.'
“Translating our name as 'the race' is not only inaccurate, it is factually incorrect. 'Hispanic' is an ethnicity, not a race. . . . Hispanics can be and are members of any and all races.”
Still, raza can mean different things to different people, even Spanish speakers. For some it means family and community, while for others it represents the language and customs of Latinos.
During a speech Sunday, Sen. Barack Obama described “la raza” as “big enough to embrace the notion that we are all part of a greater community.”
“It's a very subjective term,” said Bernardo Ferdman, a professor at the Marshall Goldsmith School of Management at Alliant University, who teaches about diversity in the workplace.
“The concept of race that people use in the United States is not the same as the one used in Latin America. People talk about the human race, the human races, and the race meaning the people, or el pueblo, so it has several meanings.”
Several Latin American countries celebrate Oct. 12 as Dia de la Raza – Columbus Day in the United States – commemorating the beginning of a mixture between Spaniards and the native populations.
The interpretation of the term among protesters outside the convention center was that “raza” stood for exclusion and divisiveness.
“It's flat-out racism,” said Dominique Harkay, who opposes illegal immigration. “If they want to change that perception, they should change their name.”
The NCLR's president, Janet Murguía, has acknowledged that there have been conversations about changing the name. It has been difficult because of the name's historical weight, Murguía said.
The organization was born in 1968 under the name Southwest Council of La Raza during a time when Latinos had little social representation and their issues were mostly ignored.
Many members feel they should be true to their roots and stick with the name.
What a flat-out lie. Someone needs to ask Obama how to say, “people” or “community” in Spanish.
Sorry, I don’t buy their obfuscations. La raza means the race and is a racist term.
La Raza is a racist organization. Why do you think they chose the name?
Changing their name doesn't change their agenda.
Handgun Control, Inc. becomes Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; Democratic Socialists of America becomes Progressive Caucus....Leftists love to cover up what they really are. Don't encourage them.
Oh, and Jihad means "internal struggle". Nothing to worry about.
I teach diversity, too...
Why are we taxpayers funding that racist orgainization. I, for one, am sick of it—my tax dollars going to racists!
And "Nazi" can mean "warm fuzzy kitten."
Toro mierda. "Pueblo" means people, "communidad" means community, and "raza" means race.
Words have finite distinct meanings, even en espanol.
“The National Council of La Raza spends most of its time protecting and advancing the rights of Latinos through advocacy and community work.”
Umm... not exactly. La Raza spends most of it’s time and energy planning for the armed insurrection in the areas of the US it has claimed as Aztlan.
La Raza also spends most of it’s funds arming communist guerrillas in south and central America.
Now that IS interesting (do you have a reference) since South and Central America are already Latino.
Hmmmm...Why no mention of La Razas motto, Barack?
How about you, Soto?...
Why no mention of the fact that La Raza’s motto is:
“For the Race: Everything!..For others: Nothing!”
La Raza is a racist, Non-American-Mexican group of Militant Foreign Aliens.
In Mexico, "la raza" is used to specifically refer to the Mestizo "race" formed by the intermarriage of Spaniards with the local Indians. The term has nothing to do with non-Mestizo Spanish-speaking countries.
A Cuban asked about "la raza" would want to know what "raza" you were taking about. The "negros"? The "blancos"? The "Indios"?
A hate group maybe, but a racist group clearly and on par with KKK, NAACP, ACLU, and RAinbow coalition.
“The Race” - That’s like a NASCAR thing, right?
“While it is true that one meaning of ‘raza’ in Spanish is indeed ‘race”
That is all that need be said. Hate group.
No linkable reference atm. La Raza is very active in the area where I live. They don’t tend to be all that quiet or careful in their fundraising objectives, especially on college campuses.
And, Latino is only half of what they’re about. This is an organization that was built according to the communist revolutionary handbook. The race angle is a recruiting gimmick and a propaganda hook, as much as it is a rabid racial/class war thing.
If that is so, how come membership to la raza is limited to Mexicans and other hispanics such as myself are discouraged from joining?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.