Impact of a Futer Generation

 Hispanics lead Texas growth - February 17, 2011


In an editorial in the El Paso Times on February 17, 2011,  titled "Hispanics lead Texas growth," opinion writer Zahira Torres writes about the growing influence of the Hispanic community in Texas.  She claims that in order for our state to remain competitive in the years ahead, we must ensure that Hispanic students succeed in the classroom, and can compete with their peers from the U.S. and around the world.

Zahira Torres points out some interesting and not so promising facts about the Hispanic population of the future.  Results of the 2010 Census show that  Hispanics now comprise 38 percent of the state's population, growing by 42 percent over the last decade.  According to an unnamed source one in three Hispanic children in Texas live in poverty, compared to ten white children.   Also Hispanic students in Texas are twice as likely to drop out of high school as white students.  Texas also has the highest percentage of uninsured children in the nation.

Torres identifies that that these facts threaten our state's future, and as a result will lead to a workforce that is less educated and less prosperous than today if we fail to change this path.  She also explains that our state's failure to invest in the future of our children will only weaken our ability to compete in the years.

The following article is focused towards  the left-leaning, liberal audience who's concern for our future is growing.  Texas Democratic Party Chairman: Boyd Richie suggests that new districts should be drawn to provide representation for those who are responsible for the population growth that brought those districts to Texas.  Also plans should be drawn in a process that provides meaningful input from officeholders who represent all Texans, especially those who represent the minority populations, who are driving our population growth. 

Zahira Torres is an established editor with the El Paso Times.  She has covered a variety of topics within state politics.  I personally agree that the future of our Hispanic students is in jeopardy, and something has to change in many aspects.  The results of the 2010 Census has provided our government with valuable basic demographic information to began the process of redistricting ultimately leading to goals such as even guidelines that comply with all federal and state laws, and provide effective representation for all Texans in the coming decade.