Yes We Can: Latino Participation in Unconventional Politics

Abstract

This paper considers participation in unconventional politics and its determinants. In particular, analyses presented below focus on differences in low-risk protest activity among non-Latinos and Latinos of Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban origin. Central to this analysis is an examination of individual and network determinants of unconventional participation as well as determinants unique to immigrant populations: citizenship and generation. Ifind that, contrary to theoretical predictions, Latinos are less likely to protest relative to non-Latinos. There are also significant differences in participation by ethnicity: Latinos of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent are more likely to protest than their Cuban counterparts. Citizenship and generational status also influence the likelihood of political involvement suggesting these are factors that not only shape conventional political behavior but unconventional participation.

Precarity and agency through a migration lens

“…Immigrant involvement in these forms of 'unconventional politics' is shaped by their access to organizations and broader social networks. On the whole, Martinez (2005) finds that Latinos are less likely to protest. However, Martinez (2008) also finds that this is especially true in places with higher levels of Latino elected representatives, signaling protest as a tool for individuals and communities with less access to formal routes to power.…”

Under-represented college students and extracurricular involvement: the effects of various student organizations on academic performance

“…Political organization has been an important part of African American and Latino history and culture (Barnes 2006;Bobo and Gilliam 1990;Brown 2006;Dixson 2003;Garcia and Marquez 2001;Martinez 2005). While the most well known instance of political organization for African Americans is the success of the civil rights movement, political involvement of Latinos has recently become more prominent as the Latino population has increased dramatically in the past few decades (Garcia and Marquez 2001;Martinez 2005).…”

“…While the most well known instance of political organization for African Americans is the success of the civil rights movement, political involvement of Latinos has recently become more prominent as the Latino population has increased dramatically in the past few decades (Garcia and Marquez 2001;Martinez 2005). For example, Garcia and Marquez (2001) describe the increasing importance of political involvement of Latinas, and Martinez (2005) examines the political participation of Latinos and considers the importance of political issues that are unique to immigrant populations. The racial inequalities that existed historically, and still exist today, have motivated members of these groups to become politically involved in order to improve social conditions.…”

South Florida's Immigrant Youth and Civic Engagement: Major Engagement: Minor Differences

“…Similarly, it demonstrates how survey data, which commonly do not contain information about context, can be misleading. Based on a national survey of Latinos, Martinez (2005) concludes that Cubans are less likely to engage in protest behavior than other Latinos. Although that was likely to have been the case when that survey was administered, Elían's return to Cuba altered that relationship for this sample of youth.…”