So, I recently spoke with a very knowledgeable source who is at the upper echelon of La Raza and he told me that The National Council of La Raza Conference is DEFINITELY coming to Kansas City and a lot of the political posturing was nothing more than an attempt to bolster the group's name recognition, establish (the upper hand) in a direct line of communication with Kansas City's Mayor and win a few special considerations for their organization. Having achieved all of these objectives, coming to Kansas City was an easy decision and "truth be told" there were never any firm plans to hold the conference anywhere else.
Here's a partial transcript of the conversation, I think both TKC and the "La Raza Leader" (whose identity I will protect until I get to the gates of Hell) raises some interesting topics:
TKC: So you're telling me there was never any specific plans to relocate the conference anywhere else?
LRL: Not that I've seen. This was all a very calculated move that put NCLR at the forefront and on the front page of a very contentious struggle over Immigration in the Heartland. It's an issue we've been following for quite some time.
TKC: So it was all just one publicity stunt?
LRL: NCLR got so much more out of this than "just" publicity. Think about it, we had the Mayor of a major American city pretty much openly beg for a chance to speak with our President.
TKC: That's pretty good. But what about all of the Latinos, like myself, who are still adamantly opposed to having Minuteman Frances Semler as a member of a very influential Kansas City Board.
LRL: I think those people need to realize that there are more benefits that come along with NCLR coming to Kansas City. One of the prime motivating factors was the fact that the Minutemen announced they were coming to Kansas City in NCLR's absence. La Raza isn't going to back down the Minutemen or from all of the anti-Latino rhetoric that's currently emanating from Kansas City. The conference in Kansas City is a chance to stand up to forces who try and burden the issue of immigration with coded, racist language. Holding the conference somewhere else would have been a loss for Latino leaders and businesses in Kansas City. This way, we can have the conference and address these concerns at their point of origin. (Pause) You seem unsatisfied with this move Tony?
TKC: I just think people will look at it like a sellout or a victory for Mayor Funkhouser.
LRL: Think of it more as a political move, if that makes you happy. Mayor "Funky" as you call him, was the last thing on our mind.
(laughter)
LRL: NCLR took an issue from a small Midwestern City, attached the NCLR name to it and gave several local leaders an opportunity to voice their opinion and objections to this cause that's pretty close to your heart Tony. The fact that the NCLR also weighed in on this issue also achieved a greater spotlight for these concerns than would have ever been attained by your neighborhood leaders had Janet not stepped in . . . Also, there have been some other considerations for our group that I'm not going to tell you about right now, but you'll read about later. There are still a few details being worked out.
TKC: Fine. I know that so much of this stuff is over my head. And I see your point, I'm just afraid that people will think that this is a "resolution" to the Semler debate and that our community's concerns have been "Solved."
LRL: Tony, this has nothing to do with the appointment of Frances Semler.
TKC: Really?
LRL: La Raza advocates for many causes on the behalf of Latinos and our main objective is to help to give a voice to people who are being ignored. You have to admit that NCLR's involvement helped keep the issue at the forefront.
TKC: No doubt. I've been complaining about the Latino dropout rate in KCMO Schools for years and nobody seems to care. I think that's way more important than some racist, old lady.
LRL: (chuckle) It sure is . . . So are you planning on attending the conference?
TKC: Nah, I hate meetings. Will there be free food?
LRL: At some of the events, yes. I think you should go.
TKC: Maybe, I'm always afraid that with so many Latinos in a room, somebody will call immigration and have everyone deported. And running and hiding seems a little bit undignified, like the first scene from "Born in East LA." Any thing else you want to note?
LRL: The NCLR conference is a is a multi-million dollar event hosting thousands of people and few people want to deny the many businesses in Kansas City a chance to take part in the economic revenue that NCLR's presence provides. It's just like the immigration debate Tony, people vilified our organization but when it comes to taking money from Latinos (legal, undocumented or otherwise), there will be little debate about welcoming the NCLR to town. In a de facto sense, this is the same thing that usually happens with Latino immigrants and we've talked about this before Tony.
TKC: I see your point. Now how is operation reconquista coming along? (giggle)
LRL: Switch to the secure, secret channel and we'll discuss the matter further TKC.
#End Communication#
So that's it. The NCLR conference is DEFINITELY coming here and TKC was the first to let you know. Now I understand the logic a little better and I'm also very happy that TKC published the news first.
I hear that there are still some "details" to be worked out and I look forward to reading them. The NCLR board is slated to vote on the issue later this month, but I think that's all just really a formality. If you want the real scoop on this topic . . . Read TKC.