Injustice uncovered!

The 2011 censes shows that the changes in Dallas population since 2000 are dramatic:

• Whites are now 28.82% of Dallas population
• Blacks are now 25.02% of Dallas population
• Hispanics are now 42.35% of Dallas population

Using the census information, and according to the Redistricting Law, the number of political representatives in the Dallas area should be proportional to the people living in Dallas. That means 4 white representatives, 4 black representatives and 6 Hispanic representatives. But because incumbents are more concerned about protecting themselves than they are of following the redistricting law, Dallas City Council is limiting the number of Hispanic representatives to 3. The map they are trying to impose looks like this: 7 white representatives, 4 black representatives and 3 Hispanic representatives.

The reason for doing this is strictly because of political interest, power and money. The more they limit the number of Hispanic representatives at the Dallas City Council, the less decision making and power the Hispanic community has.

Not since the days of slavery has anyone in the US been counted as less than one person. The 1787 Philadelphia Convention allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person, the Three-Fifths compromise. But, after slavery ended, never again would the reason for a person’s presence in the US, be used to keep that person from being fully counted, even in the redistricting process!

Many things have changed since 1787. Current Redistricting Laws state that every person in the US, regardless of legal status and age, counts towards the total number for proper political representation.

But because of self-serving and unjust political interests, Dallas council members  eliminated the number of Hispanics that were counted claiming that almost half of Hispanics are undocumented.

It is important to have our fair share of Hispanic representatives. The people we elect understand our culture. They empathize with our daily struggles, they  fight for our rights and more opportunities for all of us. You can make a difference, and it only takes 30 seconds!