AMERICANS OF COLOR AND THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Black Agenda Report, MAPA, and Bill Cosby Weigh In

The strongest Mexican-American political association in the U.S., MAPA is “dedicated to the constitutional and democratic principle of political freedom and representation for the Mexican and Hispanic people of the U.S.” It was founded in Fresno, California in 1960. MAPA ‘s 25,000 members across the country voted for delegates, who, in turn, selected their candidate.

Lopez said, “We concurred that Dennis Kucinich is the most consistent candidate with the principles of MAPA and the interests of the Latino voters, workers, families, and youth, and of all American voters.

“Kucinich has consistently called for and demanded an end to the war against the sovereign people of Iraq and an immediate return of U.S. troops to their families;

“He has consistently fought for and advocated in favor of a single-payer not-for-profit healthcare system, which accords with the material and spiritual interests of all Americans, irrespective of any medical pre-conditions, age, immigration status, or income.  Kucinich has clearly articulated that the U.S. healthcare system does not need the insurance companies as middlemen or moneymen as go between the medical professionals and the patients.

Dennis Kucinich Photo credit: Robin Rae Swanson

“This is the candidate who does not accept corporate contributions and steadfastly support public financing of elections as a way to rid the system of special money interests who buy and sell our politicians.

“Kucinich, the son of immigrants, has most consistently articulated a fair and humane option for immigration reform that accords with the interests of all American workers who have the right to protect their jobs, and also immigrants who are contributing to the wealth of America and therefore deserve to obtain legal status in a fair and judicious way. He has opposed the construction of border walls, unlike the other top tier candidates who voted in favor of constructing the wall along the Mexico-U.S. border.

“Kucinich has most astutely opposed the type of ‘free trade’ policies pursued by this and former administrations as detrimental to the U.S. economy and workers, and which result in the export of millions of jobs, and also result in undermining the economies of our neighbors, which in turn are forced to expel their workers as new migrants to the U.S.  He has called for the repeal of NAFTA and has advocated for the prospect of fair trade”.

Lopez noted that according to its bylaws, MAPA, unlike other organizations, can endorse multiple candidates of the various political parties in both the primary and general elections, and also reserves the right to not endorse any candidate. In addition to Kucinich, it gave Cynthia McKinney their endorsement for both the Green Party presidential candidate and for the Peace and Freedom presidential candidate.

However, the organization did not extend endorsements to any of the Republican presidential primary candidates, “due to their anti-immigrant assaults and slants in platform and posture.” Nor were endorsements extended to Libertarian or American Independent candidates.

Michael Beckwith & Ricki Byars-Beckwith give peace award to Dennis Kucinich

Kucinich is the recipient of a number of peace-related awards. On Peace Sunday, Nov. 29, 2003, the Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith and Dr. Rickie Byars-Beckwith presented Dennis Kucinich with a peace award at Agape Spiritual Center, Culver City, CA. In addition, Kucinich is the 2003 recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award, an annual award given for "contributions made in the promotion of international peace and good will." Past recipients include Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Linus C. Pauling, César Chávez and former U.N. Secretary General, U Thant.

Photos of Dennis Kucinich are both by Robin Rae Swanson.

All photos are used with permission, or are in the public domain.