Yesterday marked the end of Latiné Heritage Month. But, between us, with the relentless wave of violent, racist rhetoric targeting the Latiné community right now, who has the energy to celebrate? I’ve been cringing my way through this election season, always on edge, waiting for the next attack.
Gutting asylum protections, promising to carry out mass deportations, vowing to mega-militarize the Southern border, spreading disgusting rumors that incite violence — these tactics are strategically designed to instill fear and divide us.
With just 20 days until the election, the margins remain razor-thin. And, truth is, the Latiné vote could very well be the deciding factor in many battleground states. Still, I found myself feeling pretty hopeless, tripping over every other TikTok and political ad misrepresenting my family and community.
And then last week, I tuned into an Instagram LIVE conversation with four inspiring Latina movement leaders, and let me tell you… it lit a fire within me.
The conversation — facilitated by Analilia Mejía, Co-Executive Director of Popular Democracy — was a lesson in how to center joy in our organizing. Woven between the personal stories of struggle and resilience was pretty helpful advice for fighting misinformation, addressing the affordable housing crisis, and empowering the next generation of organizers.
What stuck out most to me was the phrase “El poder es amor” — power is love. It’s a beautiful declaration of our collective strength and commitment to build the world we deserve. It’s the idea that together, we are pulling the world from where it is to where it should be, guided by love, power, and an unstoppable sense of community.
As we move toward this election and beyond, I urge you to carry the spirit of this conversation into your everyday actions. Whether it’s knocking on doors, attending community meetings, or spreading the word with friends and cousins.
Alright, at last, here is the transcript from the conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity.