(Editor's Note: This was posted on social media by Texas State Representative Cesar Blanco, who is my State Representative in the Texas House. I thought it was an important message and I'm reposting it here.)
![]()
My grandfather immigrated to this country from Mexico in search of a better life.
A good education, military service and hard work allowed me to advocate for my community as a Texas State representative and as interim director for Latino Victory Fund.
But it is my grandfather's sacrifice and the values my parents instilled in me that make me so proud to be a Latino and the grandson of an immigrant.
My story is similar to that of many other Latinos, who with blood, sweat and tears have persevered and forged a better life for their families.
Perhaps this is why when, during last night's debate, after Trump’s VP candidate, Mike Pence, dismissively said "that Mexican thing" as a way to avoid talking about his campaign’s behavior towards all of us, not just Mexicans, and downplay the hurt that his running mate’s rhetoric has caused us, our courageous and resilient Latino community did not stay quiet.
Instead, we turned his words into a way to share our stories, to pay homage to the sacrifices made for us, and to celebrate our achievements and our strength.
THAT MEXICAN THING is the sacrifices our parents and grandparents have made so we could have a voice and a vote in this country.
THAT MEXICAN THING is recognizing that when we use our voice and cast our vote, we are a force that will determine the outcome of this election.
THAT MEXICAN THING is the everyday work of Latino Victory Fund, harnessing the political power of Latinos to make sure our community is represented in government.
THAT MEXICAN THING is making history this November when we help elect a HISTORIC roster of Latino candidates to office.
This November, we have the power to elect to the U.S. House of Representatives: the first Puerto Rican out of Florida, the first openly LGBT Latino, the first Dominican American, and the first Hispanic out of Nevada. We can also elect the first Latina(s) to the U.S. Senate.
Let’s make sure "That Mexican Thing" won’t be easily dismissed on Nov. 8. We must act.