In attending the discussion about the Latino and African American Vote Panel yesterday there was a theme running through the speakers that caught my attention. There almost should have not been a panel on this issue at all. Let me explain what I mean.

The population of Latin Voters and African American voters has more to vote for than race, so why categorize them as such? They have such a wide economically and socially diverse population that they are not going to for vote as a group for the one candidate that appeals to them most. They just might have the issues to consider.

Panelist Dr. Eddie Glaude brings up the point that he has been asked more than once how the African American vote is going to go and he says “I don’t know. I can tell you how I’m going to vote. I don’t represent anyone else.”

Another panel guest Gebe Martinez made the point that the younger generation favors a new hope message, whereas the older generations of Latino voters like what they have seen in the White House before. The only problem is that this is appealing to races across the board. Gebe brings up is that the general population believes that every Latino’s top concern is immigration. It turns out that education is number one.

In a campaign that is not focused on race or gender, why are we still categorizing race? There are so many factors that go into a race as largely publicized as this one that we should not tailor any categorization as broad as race. How is the Latino and African American vote this year going to go? They cast more than one vote.