Issues of the La Nueva Raza Unida (La Raza Unida)
There are several agendas that La Nueva Raza Unida, which is the group that was formed after the collapse of the Raza Unida Party, focuses on:
Public Education
La Nueva Raza Unida focuses on assisting the Texas public schools in any way as many Latin-American students go these institutions to receive an education. They are in favor of bilingual education programs. They are also in favor of funding for Texas colleges and universities, as well the increased enrollment of Latin-American students in these universities. The organization is strongly against the voucher program as well as Bush’s No Child Left Behind policy, as these programs undercut an already heavily meager-funded public education system.
Environmental Protection
The La Nueva Raza Unida understands that in various ethnic communities, especially in the Mexican American/ Latino communities, there have been devastating environmental affects; many caused by corporate environmental violations. Examples of these found in Texas are in the Rio Grande Valley and in Houston. La Nueva Raza Unida will act as a voice against the policies that harm the environment while helping only multinational and government supported organizations.
Health Care Access
The organization has two goals towards health care. First, La Nueva Raza Unida has committed to better educate the Mexican American Latino community about various health issues that may affect them. Also, the organization is aware of the problem of the prevalence of uninsured Mexican American and Latinos in this country. They are in full support of a universal healthcare system that benefits all those who are living in this country.
Political Empowerment
Although the organization is non-partisan, they are in support with any candidate who will assist in improving the lives on Mexican American and Latinos living in the United States. La Nueva Raza Unida, along with the National Council of La Raza, believe that Latino political participation needs to be improved. La Nueva Raza Unida promises to collaborate with other organization that will promote political participation. The organization also vows to endorse political party participation through conventions as well as through supporter candidacies for Precinct Chair positions within progressive political parties. This gives the LNR the opportunity to have a greater influence within the political parties.
La Nueva Raza Unida Website (http://www.larazaunida.com/agenda.htm)
