Some of the new state house districts in Pennsylvania, especially for Hispanics in Allentown, are ethnic mapping by design. Although it is Hispanic political affirmative action, it's still not enough for some activists. Local Spanish radio guru Victor Martinez complained that there are too many other minorities in the new third Allentown District as proposed.
I suppose that in the world of Enid Santiago and Martinez, only Hispanics would run and vote, ensuring Enid's victory. After Enid lost the primary last time, in addition to contesting the vote, she ran as a write-in against her own party's elected winner. Her crew even managed to strong arm support for the effort from some incumbent Democrats.
Because the new state map was purposefully drawn with eight minority opportunity districts, the local Hispanic community and others will succeed in electing more representatives to the state house. However, whether such a preoccupation with identity politics really serves the best interests of any community in the long term is questionable.
Had the State left the old Mann 132nd District alone and just brought in the line from the west end to about 17th St, it would have been a 65%+ Hispanic District without any gerrymandering.
ReplyDeleteThey lied and said they were creating a Hispanic district in the 22nd but really just gerrymandered two districts for Mann's employees. The 22nd was never a majority Hispanic District. The over 18 vote made it just shy of a majority.
Mann's 132 was the majority Hispanic District and they chopped it up.
I was advocating for the State to leave the 132nd alone and just bring in the edges.
I would agree, it doesn't benefit Allentown to be stuck with bad representation but the State shouldn't deceive: they are not creating Hispanic districts.
ReplyDeleteOne should always be wary of those who claim to speak for others, especially when they proclaim themselves as spokesperson for ethnic, racial, or religious groups. These people are more often than not mere demagogues seeking the spotlight. Another group to be wary of is politicians.Their main goal in redistricting is serving their own interests.
ReplyDelete