While recent pundits and polls focus on race in the lens of black and white, not much is said about the tensions between African-Americans and Hispanics.  And that is a hot button issue in the current race for the White House.

  Several polls are showing that Hispanic voters are lukewarm in their support for black candidates in national elections. When you see how Senator Hillary Clinton beat Senator Barack Obama in Texas, California and Nevada that statement rings true. 

   A closer look shows that Hispanics have a stronger affinity for whites than blacks and there are deep tensions between the two groups as more Hispanics pour into neighborhood that used to be populated by blacks.

   Fueling the tension is the perception that Hispanics and other immigrants are taking low-skilled jobs that used to be held by African Americans. In addition there is the fight for resources to educate students who don't speak English which drains budgets benefiting African-Americans. And just as black communities have finally driven out black gangs, Hispanic gangs are replacing them with violent crimes escalating.

  It is only fair to ask are African-American led civil groups reaching out to help Hispanic causes? Are we fighting unfair immigration laws?  Does the drive to lax immigration rules help us or hurt us? Could we get more support from Hispanics if we were more supportive of them? In the long run are the African-American and Hispanic communities going to be manipulated by the old rules of divide and conquer?
          Here to help sort out these issues are: our panelists Eunita Winkey, Ella Coleman and Clarisse Martinez, Director of Immigration and National Campaigns for National Counsel of LaRaza.