WASHINGTON.- During the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, President Joe Biden emphasized that Latinos “will change the dynamic” of the United States, in reference to demographics.
The president said that 25 percent of school-aged children are Hispanic or Latino, so in 10 or 12 years, the country will have different demographics.
“I’ve been saying this for a long time. Some of you thought I was exaggerating, but I’m telling you what’s going to happen in the next 10 to 12 years and it’s going to change the dynamics of this country in a major way,” he said.
He stressed that his administration is the most diverse the country has ever had, including several Cabinet members who are of Latino origin.
“Public servants and educators are here, artists, innovators, labor leaders and more, who are here today. Members of the most diverse administration in history. I made a commitment. I was elected. I formed an administration that looked like America,” he said. “That harnesses all of the talent in our nation. Including the incredible Hispanic cabinet members who are here today.”
Among those attending were the Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.
A country of immigrants
Joking about his poor Spanish skills, the president also argued that the U.S. is a country of immigrants, that the country was founded as “an idea,” not based on ethnicity or geography.
“A nation is more than a place, you know, we are the most unique nation in the history of the world, the only nation that was not built on geography, ethnicity or religion, but on an idea,” she said. “The idea that we believe that all men and women are created equal… We are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants.”
Biden insisted on the importance of respect for people and equality in the country.
“Everyone deserves to be treated equally throughout their lives. You know, while we’ve never lived up to that, we’ve never abandoned it either.” [la intención]. And we are certain that we will not,” he said. “Since our founding, the very idea of America has been nourished, enriched and advanced by the contributions, sacrifices, hard work and dreams of immigrants and their descendants around the world.”
In acknowledging that there is discrimination against Latinos, the president made an analogy between the Irish—he is of Irish descent—and Latinos, since both populations faced discrimination.
President Biden was introduced by actress, producer and businesswoman Jessica Alba, who spoke about her migrant family, her grandparents Daniel and Guadalupe, two Mexican immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in the early 1900s.