Hispanic Voters Voice In-Lib

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up A seminal work that demonstrates the active participation of Hispanics in the democratic process. Harlan differentiates between the four distinct types of Hispanics who live in American society: people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central and South American origin, devoting one chapter each to the three largest sub-groups. Key issues central to Hispanics are synthesized, namely the controversies surrounding immigration reform, bilingual education, the Voting Rights Act, and single-member district representation. Harlan's first-hand investigative research is evidenced in the invaluable interviews with key knowledgeable sources. Harlan does fail, however, to recognize the significance of two community groups, COPS (Communities Organized for Public Services) of San Antonio, Texas, and UNO (United Neighborhoods Organization) of Los Angeles County. Their impact and their place in the history of the Hispanic community is a heretofore untold story. In this text, they are identified as being of a religious nature. While it is true that they have been institutionally based in the churches, their primary role in American society has been to encourage citizen participation and to teach the citizenry the art of public discourse by holding public officials accountable for their actions. Still, this is a rich source of invaluable information. Oralia Garza de Cortes, Houston Public Library