When I began America Libre in 2004, some thought the book’s premise was unrealistic. An uprising by Hispanics? The idea seemed far-fetched, they said. After the heated debate over immigration sparked a wave of massive demonstrations across the nation in 2007, the skeptics were no longer so certain. I posed the nightmare scenario of America Libre as a wake up call to the dangers of extremism - on all sides of this explosive issue. Hispanic immigration is a hotly debated topic today. Yet it is only the tip of the iceberg. Over the next decade, three other factors will prove equally significant.

What is a Hispanic?
This often-misused term first coined in the late seventies lumps all people of Latin American and Spanish origin into a single group. The term has morphed into a quasi-racial label that creates the illusion of a monolithic bloc among Spanish-surnamed people. In reality, people labeled Hispanic vary widely in politics, economic status, and race. But the specter of a racial conflict has already stirred a mainstream backlash. As the number of Latinos grows, mainstream fears will intensify. The presence of fringe separatist groups are fueling those fears.

The Gangs
The violent nature of Latino street gangs is no secret. Although their ruthless reign touches almost everyone in the barrios, they have remained apolitical—so far. Will barrio gangs, usually formed in a reaction to prejudice, remain on the sidelines in a growing ethnic conflict? As Hitler, Mussolini, the Sandinistas, the warlords of Somalia, and countless other demagogues have proven, street thugs can quickly become the shock troops of political upheaval. Already, drug gangs often outgun the officers on the U.S. border. 

A conflict in the making
In the eyes of the extremists, the battle lines are already drawn. The manifesto of La Voz de Aztlan says: “We do not recognize capricious frontiers on the bronze continent.” In the words of one Anglo activist interviewed by the author: “There WILL be civil war in this country and THEN all will finally discover what true patriotic Americans are REALLY like.” According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the ranks of extremist groups have grown by 40% over last five years and Latinos have become the number one victims of hate crimes. Indeed, supremacist groups are using the immigration issue --and animosity toward Hispanics -- as a recruting tool. Ray Larsen, an Imperial Wizard of the KKK said, “Illegal immigrants is [sic] bringing us far more members than we did when we were just totally against any ethnic group.”

Ironically, Lou Dobbs’ reconquista diatribe may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.The distortions and hate-filled rhetoric of the dividers are escalating daily. Sadly, history has often been on their side. 

How do we avoid the nightmare scenario of America Libre?

America Libre paints a nightmare scenario. But it is only one possible future.

We must not fall prey to the messages of the hate mongers - on both sides of this issue. Ironically, the only war of secession ever fought on U.S. soil was the War Between the States, a conflict led by English-speaking whites. In fact, statistics on the current wave of immigration* offers some promising facts:

• The proportion of immigrants in the United States today is lower than in many other advanced post-industrial societies, including Australia.

• Immigrants to the United States today compare more favorably on a host of demographic and socioeconomic indicators, including how fast they are learning English, than previous waves of immigrants to our country. Critics of immigration may notice lots of Spanish being spoken, but the reality is that more immigrant children go to school than, let's say, the Italian children who were sent straight to work at the turn of the century. That means they pick up the language faster.

Over the next decade, the presence of Hispanics in the U.S. will continue to grow—especially among those under twenty.** Along with that growth will likely come a nativist backlash. Responding to Hispanics with repressive policies and acts of hate could actually drive them into the radical camp, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. That is the cautionary tale of America Libre. We cannot allow this nation to be divided by hate and fear. The stakes are simply too high.

Raul Ramos y Sanchez