Lubbock City Councilman Victor Hernandez released the following statement this morning concerning his recent statement concerning  Attorney General Greg Abbott's Feb. 25 visit to Lubbock:

"My name is Victor Hernandez and I am the current Chairman of the Lubbock Chapter of Tejano Democrats.

As you know, I delivered a statement publicly this past Wednesday (February 26, 2014) concerning the overall negative tone being taken against the Hispanic community by Republican candidates vying for their party's nomination.

Since then, commentary on my statement has included two primary assertions. The first concerns the use of the metaphor "our house" and the second, concerns a tale involving candidate Greg Abbott's wife and the word "prop." Since I have publicly addressed both of these issues, I will not revisit them here.

However (and related to the responses by the Abbott campaign to my February 26th statement), I must admit that I find perplexing the fact that the Abbott campaign responded to my statement at all. Surely it cannot be because of any clout I sway in either local or state Republican Party politics. And, surely it cannot be because of any personal financial wealth which I could contribute to his opponents.

After much thought and reflection, I realized that the Abbott Campaign is not faint-hearted when it comes to me personally but rather, the Abbott Campaign is afraid of the message I, and others across the state (including his fellow Republicans), have brought forth. Sadly, the message the Texas Republican Party fears is one of basic humanity, i.e., Hispanics are "people," Hispanics are fellow "human beings," Hispanics should be respected, engaged and understood.

One would believe that all people, whether seeking political office or not, would recognize these basic tenets. One would believe that, in the year 2014, we should not have to have this discussion at all. And, one would believe that the Texas Republican Party would not engage in such tactics.

I will not apologize for being an American of Mexican descent. I will not apologize for being a Texan of Mexican descent. I will however, apologize to all people of goodwill, regardless of race or ethnicity and, regardless of party affiliation, for the insensitivity being exhibited by the Texas Republican Party towards the Hispanic community.

The Latino community is not a problem to be dealt with or worse yet, to be dismissed. The Hispanic community is very much a part of Texas, the Hispanic community is very much a part of America.

In closing, my name is Victor Hernandez. I am a person. I am a human being. I am a first generation American of Mexican descent. I am a first generation Texan of Mexican descent. I deserve to be respected, to be engaged and to be understood."

 

 

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