A Heckler's Reasoning

Ruben Navarrett Jr. on Oct 12, 2014

Hernandez estimates that this tense exchange went on for about 30 seconds.

"It took security a while to get to me," she said.

Her critics claim that it's easy to heckle, and harder to make policy.

"This was not easy," she insisted. "My heart was about to come out of my mouth. It's not easy to confront a president. But nothing is easy. No amount of progress has ever come without putting up a fight."

Now Hernandez is picking another fight -- with U.S.-born Hispanics who have been way too accommodating toward Obama.

"They have come to identify more with the political structure than with their own gente [people]," she said. "I would say to them, 'You've parted ways with your community. Where does that leave your community? Why are you now one of the oppressors? Why are you identifying with the people who hurt your gente?"

Another excellent question. Hispanics shouldn't try to silence this young woman. They ought to try to clone her.

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.