This just in. We're living longer.

Michelle Malkin has misled again, this time in her column of July 12, "Things to know about 'The Race,'" wherein she takes the Hispanic cultural term La Raza and translates it repeatedly as "the race." This is incorrect in context. As used by these groups she would have us fear (and McCain and Obama not address), the term La Raza when capitalized refers to the people who have resulted from the ongoing mixing of Mexican Indians with folks from Europe to create a new genetic "race," and a continuing cultural exchange. La Raza, then, is not a "racist" term designating a group claiming itself superior, but rather the opposite, a term that celebrates the process of--Dare we say it?--diversity.

Perhaps Malkin thinks we fear change.

Perhaps she believes we want to hold onto a mythical Leave-It-to-Beaver culture that never existed or could be maintained, as witnessed by the changes caused by cars, television, computers, Rosie the Riveter, Miley Cyrus, and four-dollar gasoline.

Though Hispanics make up a disproportionate amount of our troops, Malkin is correct in identifying non-patriotic "nationalism" in some Hispanic organizations. It draws idealistically from a supposed ancient federation called Aztlan stretching from Central America north, notably including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, areas later removed from Mexican dominion by the Republic of Texas and the United States. As anti-Hispanic attitudes fester, the appeal of a mythical Aztlan breeds "anti-American" postures. Past prejudices and historical injustices, though the perpetrators are long dead, yet rankle.

However, if we support economic development for Mexico and mutual security, and if we make the American promise more powerful than the fantasy of Aztlan for Hispanic citizens, we will not fear our fellow members in La Raza Humana.

Ned Coates and Gayle Peters-Coates

Cogan Station

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom