AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINO SYMPOSIUM ON IMMIGRATION

Follow up to the Latino-African American Symposium
The symposium that the Latino Policy Forum, in partnership with Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy and the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP), organized in May was a thought provoking and exciting event. The panelists-composed of civil rights activists, academics, immigrant leaders, community organizers, elected officials and youth-analyzed the history and current relationships among Latinos and African Americans from various perspectives.  Special emphasis was given to the impact of immigration in these two communities.  An important part of the analysis was to understand how global economic policies and free trade agreements contribute to worker displacement and increase immigration.

During break out sessions, the 200 participants engaged in discussions about the issues that impact both communities and explored the opportunities of working together around a common agenda.  The common issues identified as having a profound impact on the quality of life of Latinos and African Americans are: lack of access to quality education, low paid jobs, inadequate and unaffordable housing, lack of access to health care, and overrepresentation in the criminal system.  

Attendees expressed that this particular moment in history offers an opening for the two communities to work together to ensure everyone benefits from the resources that our region offers. Working together, African Americans and Latinos can provide solutions for the problems that affect the quality of life of their communities. After all, Latinos and Blacks combined represent nearly two thirds of the City's population, and will represent a majority of the state of Illinois within a few decades.

To this end, symposium participants signed up for four committees to continue the dialogue and to follow up with the recommendations that emerged from the event. A follow up meeting is scheduled for September 15th from 2-4 PM at Jobs for Justice, 333 South Ashland.  The committees are: Community Outreach and Education, Youth, Politics and Advocacy and Faith and Religion. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings and to join the committees.

A strong recommendation during the event in May was to organize similar symposiums in different community areas. Therefore, we are exploring the possibility to partner with community groups to carry out events in Lawndale, West Humboldt Park and South Chicago.  

We are also pleased to report that the symposium will be airing on CAN-TV, Channel 19 on Tuesday, July 29 at 8:00 AM for the national panel and at 9:30 AM for the local panel.  It will be airing again in Channel 21 on Thursday, August 14 at 12 noon for the national panel and 1:30 PM for the local panel discussion. Don't miss it!

	Name	Source	Date
	Press Release: AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINO LEADERS REACH OUT TO COMMUNITIES TO BEGIN DIALOGUE ON IMMIGRATION	Latino Policy Forum	5/22/2008

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