Is Ted Cruz not a Hispanic?

Justin Hayworth/The Associated Press

I told my friend Ralph De La Cruz that he puzzled me the other day where his fellow Cuban-American Ted Cruz is concerned, and I'd be writing about it here.

It goes like this: Ralph is a real Cuban, having left that country under a tarp on a fishing boat. So you might say he's got cred.

Last week our editorial board was discussing the Sunday editorial that eventually whacked Cruz around for his "political opportunism" and other sins.

I didn't have a lot to say, since that train was on the tracks and would only run over me. One comment I did make caused Ralph to gasp and arch his already prominent eyebrows.

It came when I called Cruz a "Hispanic."

Ralph wasn't going there. With all eyes in the room on him, Ralph, winced, shifted in his chair and groped for a comeback.

Finally, he corrected me: "He's a Canadian."

Yes, true. But as I told Ralph later, I thought there was something else at work. I thought it might be that familiar reluctance to grant minority status to a conservative Republican whose politics don't align with typical Democratic alliances.

It's a common way to stigmatize and de-legitimize black politicians, in particular. Stray from orthodox politics, and a black politician becomes an Uncle Tom.

Ralph dished out something I hadn't expected. I don't know what the Hispanic counterpart is to "Uncle Tom," but I wasn't expecting "Canadian."

Ralph tried to explain his thinking to me, but it got too complicated to remember, and I don't want to put any more words in his mouth than I already have.

But I think it's clear that Ralph doesn't consider Ted Cruz a fraternity brother.

Top Picks