The upcoming presidential election has brought attention to the so-called “Latino vote,” but a new public TV documentary called “Our Texas, Our Vote” sheds light on the diverse experiences and perspectives of Latino voters in Texas. The director of the documentary, Hector Galán, explains his motivation for documenting the political participation of Latinos in Texas.
As a Tejano, born and raised in Texas, Galán was curious about why Latinos do not have a stronger presence in the state legislature despite being the majority in the state. His interest in politics dates back to his college days when he first got involved in documenting Latinos. Over the years, he wanted to explore the question of who Latinos in Texas really are and why they are a significant voting bloc.
The documentary highlights the organic efforts of Latino communities in Texas rather than efforts driven by political parties. The Latino electorate in Texas is diverse, ranging from sixth-generation Tejanos to newly arrived immigrants and DACA recipients. This diversity makes it challenging to view Latinos as a monolithic voting block.
Galán’s documentary features a range of voices, including prominent figures like Democratic Congressman Greg Casar and rising political stars like Longview City Council Member Michelle Gamboa. He emphasizes the role of Latinas in the political landscape and their involvement in both conservative and progressive movements.
On the Republican side, conservative Latinos are passionate about issues like entrepreneurship, economic opportunities, and pro-life stances. Meanwhile, progressive Latinos focus on student loan debt, gun violence, climate change, DACA, immigration issues, and pro-choice policies. Both parties are actively engaging with Latino voters in Texas, reflecting the state’s changing demographic landscape.
The documentary’s title, “Our Texas, Our Vote,” underscores the significance of Texas as the second-largest state in the union with a large African-American population and a Latino majority. Texas is undergoing a transformation, and the documentary aims to capture the changing political landscape and the future of the state.
As the documentary provides valuable insights into the political participation of Latinos in Texas, supporters are encouraged to consider making a donation to sustain quality reporting and journalism. Your contribution helps fund essential coverage on platforms like texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Your support is vital in ensuring the continued success of independent journalism in Texas.
