El Paso Dems Gather to Celebrate Obama's Birthday

I think I stepped out of the room when they sang Las Mananitas to the Commander-in-Chief, but last night's gathering of El Paso Democrats had all the feel of a birthday party.

I know, a birthday party for Obama sounds cheesy. I agree.

But it was more of an opportunity to get Dems together and start the big push toward November.

Turnout was about what I expected, a mix of party regulars, African-Americans, candidates and electeds. (Quick side note: It disappoints me when electeds do drive-by appearances, duck in, get some pats on the back, and then they are out.)

Conspicuously absent were the PDN Tejanos and their leadership. A couple of them were there, but their leadership was AWOL. With most of the other Dem leaders in attendance, their absence was noticable. The question I have is was it because it was an Obama event, was it because they are uncomfortable with Black people, or was it because of personal issues/rivalries with Black El Paso Democrats Chair Don Williams?

It certainly didn't speak of Democratic Party "UNITY". I think they want UNITY on their terms, meaning we should all have UNITY when they say/want it but its not reciprocated.

The other observation I had was one I think can be fixed. Though they were in the same building, I saw very little interaction between raza and African-Americans. I think both crowds seemed uncomfortable with the other. I don't think in this community that there is enough interaction between the communities and I'm concerned about it. I don't want it to be the case where Obama events get seen as "Black" events.

Obviously the first step towards rectifying that issue is to get them all in the same building more often. The communities have to become more comfortable with one another. Instead of an unfortunate rivalry between the communities, we need to realize that we have much more in common than we do differences.

Given the political rhetoric from the right/conservatives/Repulcans/Tea Partiers since the election of Obama and now the emerging debate on immigration, matters of race are becoming more and more of the discussion. We don't have time to have beef with each other right now.

Having gone to high school in Phoenix where most African-Americans attended (although raza was still the majority), and having served in the United States Army, I've been around the African-American community, but a lot of people from El Paso haven't really had that much interaction and there is a noticeable level of discomfort between the communities here in town.

I've learned from Carl Robinson's campaign and the Obama campaign that there are alot of African-Americans in this town that vote, mostly Democratic, but they are not seen in the local Democratic Party scene.

Far more African-Americans attend Obama events than attend Democratic Party functions. Other than the BEPD Chair, I don't think I've seen that club's leadership at party events or functions.

Latinos make up the majority of the Party in this town and do the lion's share of the work, but if African Americans showed up to more Dem events and shared some of the load, it would go a long way toward building relantionships between the communities.

And raza needs to be willing to extend our hand and make them feel welcome, especially considering there seems to be a conserted effort against people of color lately. We are all in this together.

Obama says "Yes we can".
Cesar Chavez said "Si se puede".

There is common ground to build on.

Imagine how much things could be better if Don Williams, Mirian Spencer, and Sissy Byrd weren't the only to active African-Americans in the party...