This work is dedicated to my students, past and pres­ent, some of whom have contributed to ­these volumes. Many of my students shattered the largely negative statistics used to describe them and predict their ­futures their pro­gress is our pro­gress. Unfortunately, they have rarely been exposed to the historical or con­temporary po­liti­cal engagement and po­liti­cal successes of Latina/o communities in the United States. Nevertheless, like many of the elected officials, activists, and organ­izations covered in this research, my students have demonstrated resilience in the face of strug­gle, per­sis­tence through adversity, and muchas ganas de sobresalir (strong desire to excel or overachieve). Both groups, my students and the ­ people and groups written about ­here, have shown themselves to be enprendedores y inovadores (entrepreneurs and innovators). José Martí once wrote, “Es pecado no hacer lo que uno es capaz de hacer” (It is a sin not to do what one is capable of ­doing). I am sure that not too far in the distant ­future, academics and scholars ­will write about the po­liti­cal work, successes, and legacies ­ these students leave ­ behind as they blaze new trails of their own. I have been humbled and honored to learn with and from amazing student scholars at the University of Texas-­Pan American, Pace University, and California Lutheran University. They often pushed and inspired me, and my hope is that they and students like them can use this work to enrich their knowledge about Latinas and Latinos in U.S. politics.
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