Assimilation, Latinos, and life in America: A conversation with Linda Chavez

Linda Chavez joins Luis and Gil to talk about assimilation, immigration policy, and the growth of Latino conservatism in the United States. Linda discusses her autobiography and the experiences that made her a conservative, the divisions over immigration policy within the GOP, anxieties over assimilation, what identity politics gets wrong, why Donald Trump improved among Latino voters, and how young people can work to overcome polarization. Afterwards, Gil and Luis discuss the difficulty of defining Latino identity and talk about the possible electoral shift happening in American politics.

About the guest: Linda Chavez is a commentator and syndicated columnist who has served in two presidential administrations. Chavez has also authored several books, including Out of the Barrio: Toward a New Politics of Hispanic Assimilation and An Unlikely Conservative: The Transformation of an Ex-Liberal . In 2000, Chavez was honored by the Library of Congress as a "Living Legend" for her contributions to America's cultural and historical legacy. In January 2001, Chavez was President George W. Bush's nominee for Secretary of Labor until she withdrew her name from consideration.

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