Ther Latino divide on the Irak War

by Emily C. Ruíz

Emely Ruíz

As eventually happened with Vietnam, U.S. military involvement in Iraq is pulling Hispanics in two directions. Maybe three.

Numbers tell some of the story. The latest Pew Hispanic Center poll found less than a quarter of Latinos (24 percent) support U.S. troop participation. That’s down from 31 percent in 2006 and 39 percent in 2004.

U.S. Department of Defense figures show that Hispanics comprise 10.9 percent of those serving in the Armed Forces, well below their percentage in the eligible age group in the three decades of the volunteer army.

There are those like Jess Quintero, who served two tours – one in the U.S. Army and one in the Air Force – toward the end of the Korean War and leading up to Vietnam.

Quintero, president of the Hispanic War Veterans of America, talks proudly of the Hispanic contributions in defending the world’s democratic ideals from the Revolutionary War forward. He recites the names of family members, from generations past to grandchildren, who with no hesitation answered the call.

Then there is Pablo Paredes, more recently a Petty Officer third class and weapons-control technician in the U.S. Navy. Declaring his opposition to the invasion of Iraq, he refused to board the USS Bonhomme Richard as it deployed to the Persian Gulf, in December 2004 as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received an administrative discharge after serving three months at hard labor without confinement and a demotion in rank. He now works as a peace educator with the American Friends Service Committee.

Then there’s the third and largest element, reflective perhaps of the broader community’s attitude. This group is neither rallying friends or families to “save democracy,” nor actively protesting the U.S. commitment.

Few Hispanics were visible in the basically white anti-war protests across the country this month. Nor have they formed visible anti-war groups of their own, such as those which sprouted up in the Vietnam era.

Most memorable was the 1970 national Chicano Moratorium march in East Los Angeles, in which a county sheriff’s deputy killed KMEX-TV news director Rubén Salazar with an armor-piercing tear-gas missile. On the East Coast, the mostly Puerto Rican Young Lords staged similar demonstrations.

Today’s older antiwar Latinos often have a background in Vietnam-era activism, while a smaller number are parents of soldiers who’ve died in more recent Middle East conflicts, says Jorge Mariscal, professor of Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, San Diego.

“Younger Latinos are involved because they see the impact of the war on their friends and the militarism in their schools with recruitment,” he says, adding that the reason more aren’t involved is because of the lack of outreach from mainly white anti-war groups to attract members of color.

JESS QUINTERO, executive director of the Hispanic War Veterans of America, gives these reasons Latinos should consider military careers in service to their country and continue supporting U.S. efforts to complete successfully the country’s mission in Iraq.

1. As U.S. citizens, Latinos have a responsibility to serve their country in time of war.
2. There is a strong Hispanic military tradition rooted in patriotism among Latino families to respond quickly, valiantly and honorably when the country and its ideals are at risk.
3. Military service offers numerous educational opportunities during and after military service.
4. Generous signing bonuses can assist recruits and their families in financial need.
5. The military offers stability, sense of direction and role models during the most vulnerable stages of a young recruit’s life.
6. It provides the basic necessities such as health benefi ts, housing and food.

NO, JOIN PROTEST PABLO PAREDES, peace educator with the American Friends Service Committee, gives fi ve reasons Hispanics should actively oppose further U.S. involvement in Iraq:

1. Hispanics are overrepresented in the most dangerous roles of the military and sorely underrepresented in the offi cer ranks and elite jobs.
2. Recruitment programs that target Hispanics make false promises of education, a better economic status and citizenship.
3. Hispanics who have served honorably come home to face inequality and discrimination; they aren’t provided access to adequate veterans’ benefits.
4. Hispanics’ historical ties to the U.S. military have been destructive to their ancestors. “Marines are taught to sing about the pillaging of the ‘halls of Montezuma.’”
5. The war has propelled the rise of vigilante groups such as the Minutemen who in their propaganda messages stereotype and scapegoat all Hispanics as national security risks. Hispanic Link.

(Emily C. Ruíz is a reporter with Hispanic Link News Service in Washington, D.C. Reach her care of e.cruiz@hotmail.com).