I
n less than two weeks, the upcoming election will reveal whether Donald Trump’s influence on Latino voters in 2020 was an anomaly or a deeper shift. However, the votes Latinos cast will reflect how they perceive themselves in America rather than their view of Trump.
Trump’s focus on immigration has led a growing number of Latinos to align with conservative views, embracing a sense of belonging in Trumpism’s exclusionary rhetoric. As America faces divisive challenges, the allegiance of Latinos is reshaped by evolving identities and assimilation.
The upcoming election raises questions about belonging and identity for Latinos as they navigate their place in a changing America. Despite Trump’s attempts to connect with minority groups, his history of discrimination and divisive rhetoric illustrate a stark reality.
Driven by the prospect of acceptance in Trump’s America, some Latinos may overlook the implications of his policies. But as the election outcome unfolds, the reality of racial profiling and discrimination under a second Trump Administration may force a reckoning with the true meaning of belonging and identity in America.