Issue Position: Race Relations

Issue Position

*Racism continues to this day. It's destructive and counter-productive; we need everyone grabbing the oars of our nation and pulling in the same direction. My family heritage includes African, Taino, Asian and European ancestry and it is a microcosm of our diverse district. We are richer because of our diversity.

*The fingers on my hand are all different, but they work together. I will be a Congresswoman for our whole district and all its citizens, and I will pursue collaboration and unity.

*Life is not a zero sum game and I do not believe that any gain in jobs, educational opportunity or political clout by one group can only come at the expense of another group. All of us win and become more powerful when we collaborate. In my experience people of different races sometimes think they are in competition for limited resources and political power. When I see that I ask who does that competition serve? For example, disunity in the Black and Latino communities makes both groups weaker because it blocks us from collaborating to demand progress. Disunity prevents the positive change we could create, if we worked together.

*Latinos and African Americans have common interests. We need jobs to support our families. We need better health care. And we need quality education so that our children are ready to support their families in this increasingly competitive world. African American and Latino communities suffer from health disparities. Compared to the population at large, African American women are over 2 times more likely to die during pregnancy and African American men are over 2 times more likely to die of prostate cancer. African Americans are almost 2 times more likely to not be able to afford to see a doctor. African American children are 45% more likely to be obese -- which will set them up for diabetes later in life. Likewise, Hispanics are over 3 times more likely to not be able to afford to see a doctor. Hispanic children are 35% more likely to be obese. And 67% of Hispanic women over 40 are likely to never have had a mammogram.

*Poverty rates for Blacks and Hispanics greatly exceed the national average. In 2010, about 27% percent of Blacks and Hispanics were poor, compared to 10% percent of whites. Children are especially hit by poverty. 38% of Black children live in poverty, and 35% of Hispanic children, compared to about 12% of children generally. These distressing statistics can change if we work together and demand progress.

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