The Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino strives to create a museum in our nation’s capital to educate, inspire and encourage respect and understanding of the richness and diversity of the American Latino experience within the U.S. and its territories by highlighting the contributions made by Latino leaders, pioneers and communities to the American way of life.

I had the honor of working for the Commission and the Department of the Interior in the creation of the Final Report of the National Museum of the American Latino.  The Commission presented it’s final findings to Congress and President Barack Obama in May of this year.   This project is of monumental importance to our community and it now needs our help to become a reality.  Congress doesn’t want to appropriate the land or funds to build our museum and it might be 8-10 years before we can even break ground! That is unacceptable. We can help fund our museum ourselves and change the dynamics of our community relying on Congress for the support.

The timing of this museum could not be better.  In 2011 alone, 1592 anti-Latino immigrant bills were introduced, 151 laws were enacted, and 95 resolutions were adopted.  The public discourse is creating a myth that Latinos are new comers to this nation and that we do not contribute to our society.  Many believe Latino immigrants live off of the welfare system and inappropriately use tax-payer money that is allocated for “American” citizens.   Despite the numerous levels of research that the Hispanic Pew Center has conducted to dispel these myths, this is the story that dominates main-stream America.

The reality could not be further from the truth. What the nation and our communities must understand is that we didn’t arrive yesterday and we are not leaving tomorrow.  These words were echoed by the brilliant Dr. Tomas Ybarra-Frausto who presented his scholarly research on the significance and richness of the American Latino history in America. Somos Americanos. We have been here longer than some of the nativists who oppose our presence.  Let’s educate the nation and tell them of the richness of our historical presence in America and our stories, because without us, America would not be what it is today, nor would it be the world power that it is today.

Help us make our museum a reality.

We must work together and share our thoughts and ideas to deliver a strong powerful message about the importance of the Museum to our community. Your support makes all the difference in the world.

With your help, together we can make the American Latino Museum a reality!

Click here now to provide your feedback and fill out the survey today.

Then, tell 5 friends to take the survey. Let’s make it happen even if we have to fund it ourselves.