politics / commentary ::.
Milwaukee’s Latino Businesses Not Being Represented |
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The hoopla and fanfare surrounding the national convention of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) might be an exciting event for Milwaukee’s business community, but many of Milwaukee’s Latino businesses are being left out, and in some cases chased out of competing for business opportunities in this city. The USHCC is in town this weekend, what a great time to showcase Latino business power in this city. Unfortunately, Latino businesses will not be adequately represented, because most Latino businesses will not be part of the “Big Deal” event taking place at the Midwest Express Center in Downtown Milwaukee. Indeed, corporate America has given lip service to the Latino community by consistently telling Latino leaders that they will continue to increase diversity in corporate boardrooms and senior management; to increase corporate America's procurement of goods and services from Hispanic-owned businesses; and to increase corporate America's philanthropic support of Hispanics and Hispanic communities. The road to achieve these lofty goals is a long one indeed; the journey is even made longer for Latino entrepreneurs who are not part of the business network known as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin. Representing only 40% Latino businesses (businesses that are 51% Latino owned), HCCW has become a windfall of opportunity for businesses that are not owned by Latinos. In fact, Latinos, who make up about 60% of the HCCW’s overall membership, seldom benefit from their membership. Those that do have either very close ties to the Republican Party, are related to key leaders of the HCCW or are very close friends of key leaders of the HCCW. By and large, the HCCW is a tool for economic conquest used by larger Anglo corporations and a go between for economic prosperity for close friends and family members of the organizations CEO. When one looks beyond the pomp and circumstance now permeating around this convention, one will no doubt see that the HCCW is wooing Anglo businesses, rather than those owned by Hispanics. Economic development taking place in the Walker’s Point area of Milwaukee, where the majority of Latinos reside and where many Latino small businesses are operating, is hurting and endangering Latino small businesses. In these days a thriving, respected business isn't enough to survive; like more and more tenants and small businesses throughout Milwaukee, many Latino, mostly Mexican businesses are being evicted from their place of business, or are being denied required licenses needed to conduct business. This plight is nothing new for the broader Latino community. What is taking place in Milwaukee is the destruction of a working-class and Latino identity that has historically been present in the neighborhood. Latino businesses are being pushed out of Walker’s Point and the HCCW is letting it happen. Why not? Most of those Latino businesses are not members of the HCCW. Developers are coming into Walker’s Point pushing Latino businesses out and helping non-Latino businesses establish in this area that many consider will be a thriving commercial district in the next few years. But rather than stand strong for Latino entrepreneurs, the leadership of the HCCW has allowed this gentrification, because this organization’s business members, who are mostly white, stand to benefit from the growing development taking place in the area. Rising rent, fuel and fees is forcing many disadvantaged Latinos out of Walker’s Point. This gentrification is closing the door to prosperity and opportunity for the broader Latino community. Some will argue that Latino businesses are starting in other parts of the Southside, and that they’ll prosper in those areas as well. This may be true, however, while these southside neighborhoods change and become more Latino, this also means that these neighborhoods will become more poverty stricken. Money is not following these people being displaced by development, and the HCCW is not representing the economic interests of the broader Latino business community within Walker’s Point and other parts of Milwaukee’s southside. The writing is on the wall. Many Latino businesses not linked with HCCW will be lost, and if something does not happen, there is a real possibility that there will be a real high turnover of Latino businesses and residents in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, leaving a small band of well connected Highspanics taking advantage of the billions being poured into the area for economic development.• Miranda is a national award winning columnist, Latino community activist and Editor-in-Chief of the Milwaukee Spanish Journal. Email at: rmiranda@wi.rr.com >>More articles by Robert Miranda |