Amid Mixed Messages, Hispanic Honor Endures

Many Hispanics are getting bored with Trump, and they're tired of being his foil. They're also worried that the billionaire's definition of "winning" could mean that they lose two things they've worked hard to obtain: dignity and respect.

Trump knows a lot about success. And, this summer, one thing he has succeeded at is marginalizing Hispanics -- especially Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. In just three months of speeches, rallies, tweets and free media, the real estate mogul has made this group seem foreign, newly arrived and out of place. That's no small feat given that we're talking about people who have lived in the American Southwest for more than four centuries.

These days, Hispanics can be found in all 50 states, and they help shape how Americans think about sports, food, fashion, entertainment, music, pop culture and the digital world. And in their day jobs, they preserve the American dream with an awe-inspiring work ethic and unshakable sense of optimism.

Listen up, Trump. It's true that, for Hispanics, you've made this summer a little hotter than usual. You've had a lot of fun, and much of it at our expense. But we were here first, and we're not going anywhere. We don't have to promise to make America great. Making America great is what we do every day.

When it comes to heroism and sacrifice, we don't need lectures from you. We gave at the office -- and gave, gave, and gave some more. Our military contributions date back to the Civil War, when Corp. Joseph H. De Castro of the Union Army became the first Hispanic recipient of the Medal of Honor, for acts of heroism at Gettysburg. Overall, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to more than 40 Hispanic Americans. In over half the cases, it was presented posthumously.

Charlatans, blowhards and demagogues will come and go. But one thing that endures forever is honor.

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