Why Tony Martinez Does Not View Hispanic Voters As Equals

Mayor Tony Martinez

While flooding the city with a sea of blue "Believe in Brownsville" campaign signs, Attorney Tony Martinez did not himself believe in any Brownsville operative to run his campaign for mayor in 2011.  He reached out to James Aldrete, the founder of M.A.P., Inc. or Message, Audience, Presentation, an Austin advertising agency specializing in "communicating with Hispanics and African-Americans."  The ad agency chosen by Martinez evidently feels that the education level, tradition and lack of information of Hispanics necessitates that they be treated and approached differently from other Americans.   Does it seem odd, that Martinez, himself an Hispanic from Harlingen, would choose such a firm to run his campaign for mayor?

As M.A.P.'s website explains:  "The biggest challenge in communicating with Hispanics is not one of language only, but one of tone and approach. We have to recognize that those we most need to turnout are more apolitical and at an economic level that can often make politics and voting seem like a luxury."

James Aldrete, Founder of M.A.P.

The website continues, discussing what it refers to as the "New Latinos": "Spanish in Texas is for the most part an oral tradition, among a community that has low education levels. While Spanish print has made a comeback, it is important to keep it at a grade level that ensures the widest comprehension.

Aldrete discusses dealing with Hispanics, mentioning an "empowerment and educational component. No one likes to be embarrassed, and considering the low level of information most Hispanics have on political processes, basic information on how to participate is critical in overcoming issues of insecurity, fear and doubt."

If you find the remarks from the website racist and condescending, insulting to Hispanics, understand this was the publicly stated point of view of the advertising agency running Tony Martinez' first run for mayor.  Not only did Martinez not object to the apparently racist views expressed on the website, but Tony, evidently pleased with the approach and performance of Austin's M.A.P., gave the same agency $23,342.58 to organize his "State of the City" event in August 2013.

Martinez may also have shown that he felt Hispanic voters were incapable of processing information by giving them none during his initial campaign for mayor.

Tony's first 2011 campaign event was a meet and greet between his two businesses on Palm Blvd.  All of the political players in Brownsville seemed to be there.  A Tony Martinez sticker on your lapel got you a chicken plate and a Bud Light.  The most frequent sentiment expressed at the event?  "Tony is so rich he won't need any of our money!"  Of course, the reality is that the rich can't ever get enough money from the poor.

A female radio personality tried to summon everyone around a stage and join in "spontaneous" calls for Tony Martinez.  The DJ wanted the audience to shout out slogans for Tony.  No one cooperated.  Then, one of the young male campaign operatives took the microphone, but with only slightly better success.  He introduced Tony Martinez, his wife and family.  Tony spoke for a few minutes, saying only that he'd been a lawyer for forty years and believed in Brownsville. He closed with:  "If you enjoyed this, our next meet and greet will serve carne guisada!"  It was as if all the voters care about is being fed!

A couple weeks later we ventured out to an electric company on Alton Gloor.  Yes, carne guisada was served as promised.  We were given about a few minutes of the candidate's time.  I remember writing nothing on my note pad as he said essentially nothing except that he'd been a lawyer for 40 years and believed in Brownsville.  No information at all was given about his plans for the city as mayor.

At the April 19, 2011 UTB/TSC Mayor Candidate Forum Tony Martinez made his lone campaign promise.  He said the writing of a new city ethics code would be the "top priority" of his administration, should he be elected.  3-1/2 years later, the city is still waiting for that new ethics code and to be treated respectfully by the mayor, as equals.