CHC ON DOUTHAT COLUMN IN NY TIMES
Washington D.C.: Chairman Charles A. Gonzalez (TX 20) released this statement regarding Ross Douthat’s op-ed column “The Liberal Gloat,” which ran Nov. 17th, 2012, in the New York Times.
“Ross Douthat's column is a rambling piece which reflects his lack of understanding of the diverse Latino community and reaffirms the obvious reasons that Republicans lost Latino support. Hispanics are not a separate part of America. We are engaged in every facet of American society and successful Latinos ensure a more prosperous America.
“To say that Latinos are assimilating downward is to ignore the obvious facts. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, last year Hispanics became the largest minority group on American college campuses. In 2011, there were more than 2 million young Latinos enrolled in college, making up 16.5% of all college enrollments.
“Immigrants do not come to this country out of laziness. They come to work toward a better life and no one can question the work ethic of Latinos. The number of Hispanic-owned small businesses is growing at twice the rate of other small businesses and since this pace is expected to continue, Latino influence on the economy and work force will only increase.
“Latinos seek assimilation, which requires equality with and inclusion in the dominant and established American community. The Republican agenda and policies offered neither and that's why Latinos voted for the Democratic candidates. The Latino story is the American story. It’s a simple lesson, but one that some conservatives, such as Mr. Douthat, are still learning.”