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Felix Arroyo on Boston Politics, Latino Influence and His Immigrant Experience

Former Boston city councilor Felix Arroyo got in touch with New England Ethnic News while traveling outside of the country.

Following are edited excerpts from his e-mail, in which he reflects on Boston politics, his experience as a new immigrant (little discrimination), his Boston activist roots (1970s busing) and Latino political power (wake up!).

A Puerto Rican immigrant, Arroyo was the first and only Latino in the City Council, serving as at-large councilor from 2003 until his term officially ended this month.

Some of the excerpts follow specific questions; others follow specific topics. All excerpts are from his e-mail to NEWz on Jan. 3, 2008.

You were not re-elected in the November 2007 election. Now, only three of the 13 Boston city councilors are minorities. Does this voting behavior indicate that some Bostonians may be starting to have "color fatigue" in regard to having "too many" elected officials of color?

Arroyo: No way! Only less than 14% of the registered voters participated in this election. It is also estimated that only 7% of the registered Latinos and 8% of the Black ones voted this time.

We also went directly to the final election, skipping the important primary step [a preliminary election that would've been held before the Nov. election] that would have let people of color know that their candidates might need their support.

Other factors also affected the final outcome.

The fact that you were not re-elected, could that be part of an overall anti-immigrant sentiment?

Arroyo: The anti-immigrant factor is definitely one reason, in particular because I assumed a leading role in the struggle for immigrant rights.

What does it take to get more minorities to elected office in Boston?

Arroyo: The right combination of experience, goals and voter participation will facilitate more people of color and progressives to be elected in the future. Boston is right now a city where the people of color are the majority and that trend is continuing.

We need to wake up and participate. We have the numbers already!

LATINO INFLUENCE

Arroyo: Latinos in Boston are less than 15% of the population. In order to have more influence in Boston, we need to be well informed and participate fully in all aspects of Boston's civic and social life.

We need to create coalitions with other ethnic groups and races that share common needs in many areas.

Constant dialogue and participation would move our common agenda forward if we persevere as a group with a clear vision.

In what areas do Latinos or other groups lag behind?

Arroyo: We and other groups are lacking in many areas, such as health, employment, environmental justice, housing, education and safety.

ADVICE FOR MINORITIES and IMMIGRANTS CONSIDERING A CAREER IN POLITICS

Arroyo: Know yourself as an individual and a member of a community. Have a clear sense of direction, an understanding of the society you are a part of, a strong commitment to justice and full participation as a member of your community.

Politics should not be perceived as a career, but as a civic service with sacrifices and personal satisfactions by contributing to a better society.

EARLY IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE

What were your impressions of Boston when you first immigrated to that city?

Arroyo: I came as a doctoral student to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

I learned that Boston was the first city to offer free education, including to Black children, and that Massachusetts was the first state to have bilingual education and special-needs education. Those facts told me Boston cared about all children.

When I arrived (in the 1970s), busing was going on in Boston. I was surprised and disappointed. The fact that Boston children were educated according to the color of their skin, was not what I expected and it was sufficient to make me an activist in Boston.

What kinds of discrimination did you face?

Arroyo: Very little. I treated everyone as an equal. I could care less if anyone liked it or not, but whenever I got an attitude or a look I ignored it.

Did you envision being a long-term Bostonian when you first arrived?

Arroyo: I thought I was going back to Puerto Rico after my studies, but I am still here after more than 30 years.

POLITICAL FUTURE IN BOSTON?

Arroyo: I will never stop being politically active. I am living and intend to continue living in Boston.

I know I will continue to be an activist about the issues I care until we reach respect as a people and equity in opportunities and services.

Would you ever consider moving back to Puerto Rico or splitting your time between the U.S. and another country?

Arroyo: Who knows. Everything is possible.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS MOST PROUD OF, TO NAME JUST SOME

Arroyo: I am very proud that during my five-year tenure as a Boston city councilor, I maintained my commitment to the agenda of my first campaign, which was proposed to the City Council.

Some of these several agenda items are:

• EDUCATION: legislation to develop an action plan for drop-out prevention in the Boston school system.

• HOUSING: development of a planning department under the control of the people.

• REDEFINITION of the "AFFORDABLE" HOUSING SALARY QUALIFICATION: from the metropolitan Boston average ($87,000) to the Boston average ($43,000), so blue-collar workers could qualify for affordable housing.

• ENVIRONMENT: legislation supporting a ban on level-4 bioterrorism laboratories where toxic biological agents are studied.

• ADVOCACY of BIO-DIESEL FUEL for city vehicles to improve air quality, including legislation to stop City purchases of materials that produce dioxin, a toxic compound.

• HEALTH: elimination of lead from drinking water at the municipal level

• SAFETY: creation of a police civilian review board. Promotion of youth-police dialogues.

• ECONOMIC VITALITY: promotion of small business alternatives to help recycle the dollar at local neighborhoods.

FINAL REMARK

Arroyo: Each one of us is responsible in a civilized society for all of us.

Source: EthnicNewz.org

Copyright 2008 New England Ethnic News, EthnicNewz.org. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast rewritten or redistributed without the permission of the source. Contact Newz for more information.