Gary Acosta, the co-founder and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), offered a view of Donald Trump’s presidential election that mixed a rueful consideration of the candidate’s comments with a desire to move forward into a stronger housing market.
“We live in an amazing country,” said Acosta in a statement issued by NAHREP. “While it is disappointing that a campaign that vilifies Hispanics and other minorities can still win a national election in 2016, the people have spoken and we have to respect the results. That is the definition of a functional democracy. This does not mean we have to accept the stated policies. My heart goes out to my Latino brethren that will be living in fear and we must continue to fight hard for them.
“The fact is,” he continued, “working class America has been hurting for a long time and Democrats and Republicans have both let them down. Trump’s election in many ways is a repudiation of both parties. Do I think he has the solution? I have very serious concerns, but I must be hopeful that Mr. Trump recognizes the awesome responsibility of the office of President of the United States and governs in a materially different way than he ran much of his campaign. The case we need to continue to make—is that Latinos are not takers; we are in fact, the driving economic force in this country. It is our responsibility to make sure that the powers-that-be understand that.”
Acosta added that it was “most important to understand that government will not make or break our lives. Success solves a lot of problems and education is the great equalizer. It’s time to get really serious about building generational wealth and making sure our families get educated and have every opportunity to be everything they are capable of becoming. Like most people, I am glad this election is finally over…Its time to move forward.”
