Biases hurt the Hispanic community, speaker says
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- October
- 15
The rapidly growing Hispanic population is a favorite target for companies looking to sell products, banks seeking new deposits and politicians scrambling for votes.
But stereotyping Hispanics as a monolithic group without recognizing distinct cultural differences is a mistake for marketers and politicians alike, said an area activist.
“The Latino vote is not Democrat or Republican,†said Maria Kantha, the founder and president of Hispanic Women Leaders of Westchester County. “They vote all over the slate.â€
For example, there are major cultural differences between immigrants from Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, she said.
“No two Latinos are alike,†she said. “It is very difficult to peg us and say you are A, B or C.â€
Kantha was a keynote speaker at the Latino Business Symposium Expo in White Plains. The event at the Crowne Plaza hotel included forums on energy, health, education and business resources for Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Kantha said that she frequently gets calls from Hispanic entrepreneurs who are frustrated by the lack of cultural understanding by the non-Hispanic business community.
“No one addresses the fact that we have a lot of bias, prejudice and racism,†she said. “That has been the setback in our getting involved in the socioeconomic politics of our society….We have to recognize that our history of oppression is severe.â€
Kantha said that building a relationship with Hispanics takes time.
“You have to establish a bridge and you have to establish trust,†she said. “If you do not establish trust, it doesn’t happen.â€
Some Hispanics are skeptical about seeking loans from banks because of the paper work and red tape involved, she said.
Then there are differences regarding when business is conducted.
“Another thing that you have to understand is that you do not make appointments with small business owners during their business time,†Kantha said. “Why is that? They are working…..You have to pick up the phone and ask what time can I see you? It may not be convenient at 9 o’clock at night. But that may be the only time that they may be able to meet with you.â€
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 at 5:03 pm by Jay Loomis.
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