As an editor, you often leave good material on the cutting room floor. And the following few paragraphs were originally written for an article (”For Dios, But For Which Candidate“) about Latino Evangelicals that appeared in our first issue. They provide a personal snapshot of a dilemma faced by many Hispanic Protestants who are devout:
Juana Pedroza doesn’t pay much mind to politics. She cleans offices at night and houses on the side during the day, takes care of her two kids – and on Sundays, attends the Iglesia de Dios Hispana, which makes its home above a muebleria in downtown Los Angeles.
She doesn’t know who she’ll vote for in next year’s presidential election, but she doesn’t like gay marriage or legalized abortion. What irks her above all else, however: tougher immigration laws.
“We work hard to be in this country,” said the native Salvadoran who came to Los Angeles 24 years ago and legalized her status through an amnesty program. “We appreciate all this country has to offer, more I think than the people born here.”
When Election Day rolls around, Pedroza has faith that her church will lead her to the right choice. “The pastor will guide us,” she says.
- Christina Hoag
Tags: Latino Evangelicals
