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Hispanic American culture

Reid, A.J. (1998). Hispanic American culture. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

Who are these Hispanic Americans who live and walk among us and who early in the next century will constitute the largest minority in the U.S.?

The growing proportion of Hispanics in the U.S. population constitutes one of the most dramatic demographic shifts in American history. The number of Hispanics is increasing almost four times as fast as the rest of the population, and they are expected to surpass African Americans as the largest minority group by 2005. It is projected that nearly 1 of 4 Americans will be Hispanic by the year 2050, up from 1 in 9 today. Yet other American often have no clear idea of just who these 29 million people are. (Robinson, L. (1998). Hispanics don’t exist.)

Some, especially those on the West Coast, prefer to be called Latinos, a term that points to their Latin roots and it is the one used in Latin America. On the East Coast the term, Hispanics is most commonly used, and it points to their Spanish roots. For practical reasons, both terms will be used interchangeably.

The term "Hispanic" is used to refer to people who come (or whose ancestors came) from about two dozen different countries and ethnic backgrounds. There are three main root streams that converged to bring forth the cultural heritage of Hispanics. Each brings with it its own cultural richness and uniqueness: European (mainly Spanish), Amerindian, and African. Most derive from a combination of Spanish and Indian, but in the Caribbean, most come from Spanish and African cultures, and Indian in some cases.

Though there is much cultural diversity among Hispanics, there are also commonalities that identify them as a people. Among such traits include their passion, personalism, sense of community, fiesta, and sense of family. (Villafane, E. Seek the peace of the city.)

Latinos are a highly urbanized people, concentrated in the largest cities of America. One million or more live in each of the metropolitan areas of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Demographers also take note that every major city has a sizable community of Latinos.

According to the Census Bureau, between 1980 and 1990, Hispanics increased fifty-three percent, reaching to 22.4 million. Presently, there are approximately 30.6 million Latinos and it is projected that by the year 2010, they will reach 43 million, becoming the largest minority group in the U.S.

The socio-economic condition of most Latinos is grim, according to vital statistics. The Census Bureau shows that in 1995, median household income rose for every other American ethnic and racial group, but for the nation’s 27 million Latinos, it dropped 5.1 percent.

Generalizations are often of limited use since the Hispanic population ranges from prosperous Cubans to Puerto Ricans, the nation’s poorest ethnic group. A growing group of scholars who study America’s Latinos has named the following among such factors inhibiting Latino income (Villafane, E. Salsa Christianity):

  • Structural changes in the economy that has drastically reduced well-paid, blue-collar jobs.
  • The failure of educational institutions to retain Latino students and provide them with a marketable education, resulting in a widening gap in graduation rates from both high school and college. Latinos have—by far—the highest high-school dropout rate of any group in the nation. The following dismal portrait of Latino educational status was presented in an article in "Hispanics in the United States":

For every 100 Latino children who enter Kindergarten:

    • 55 graduate from high school
    • 25 enter college
    • 7 graduate
    • 4 enter graduate school
    • 2 finish
  • Discrimination among employers who see Latino immigrants, particularly those who speak poor English, as disposable workers.

Though the number of Hispanics who have climbed the economic ladder is ever increasing, for many this land of opportunities have offered them not the "American Dream," but the "American Nightmare," suggests Arturo Vargas, head of The National Association of Latino Elected Officials.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

  1. As a Hispanic reader, what would you add to this article?
  2. If you are not Hispanic, what are your contacts with Hispanics?
  3. What most impresses you in reading this article?

IMPLICATIONS

  • Hispanics have made great contributions to the American culture, among these is its language. In the United States, Spanish is the second most common language, and there is an ever increasing demand for its mastery.
  • The ever increasing number of Hispanics in the United States constitutes a great challenge to all. Educational institutions, churches, and youth programs need to respond to the needs of the Hispanic community.
  • It is important to also recognize that Hispanics are great assets. Institutions must include and follow their leadership in order to remain relevant.

Ana Jerez Reid cCYS

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Hispanic American culture

Reid, A.J. (1998). Hispanic American culture. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

Who are these Hispanic Americans who live and walk among us and who early in the next century will constitute the largest minority in the U.S.?

The growing proportion of Hispanics in the U.S. population constitutes one of the most dramatic demographic shifts in American history. The number of Hispanics is increasing almost four times as fast as the rest of the population, and they are expected to surpass African Americans as the largest minority group by 2005. It is projected that nearly 1 of 4 Americans will be Hispanic by the year 2050, up from 1 in 9 today. Yet other American often have no clear idea of just who these 29 million people are. (Robinson, L. (1998). Hispanics don’t exist.)

Some, especially those on the West Coast, prefer to be called Latinos, a term that points to their Latin roots and it is the one used in Latin America. On the East Coast the term, Hispanics is most commonly used, and it points to their Spanish roots. For practical reasons, both terms will be used interchangeably.

The term "Hispanic" is used to refer to people who come (or whose ancestors came) from about two dozen different countries and ethnic backgrounds. There are three main root streams that converged to bring forth the cultural heritage of Hispanics. Each brings with it its own cultural richness and uniqueness: European (mainly Spanish), Amerindian, and African. Most derive from a combination of Spanish and Indian, but in the Caribbean, most come from Spanish and African cultures, and Indian in some cases.

Though there is much cultural diversity among Hispanics, there are also commonalities that identify them as a people. Among such traits include their passion, personalism, sense of community, fiesta, and sense of family. (Villafane, E. Seek the peace of the city.)

Latinos are a highly urbanized people, concentrated in the largest cities of America. One million or more live in each of the metropolitan areas of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Demographers also take note that every major city has a sizable community of Latinos.

According to the Census Bureau, between 1980 and 1990, Hispanics increased fifty-three percent, reaching to 22.4 million. Presently, there are approximately 30.6 million Latinos and it is projected that by the year 2010, they will reach 43 million, becoming the largest minority group in the U.S.

The socio-economic condition of most Latinos is grim, according to vital statistics. The Census Bureau shows that in 1995, median household income rose for every other American ethnic and racial group, but for the nation’s 27 million Latinos, it dropped 5.1 percent.

Generalizations are often of limited use since the Hispanic population ranges from prosperous Cubans to Puerto Ricans, the nation’s poorest ethnic group. A growing group of scholars who study America’s Latinos has named the following among such factors inhibiting Latino income (Villafane, E. Salsa Christianity):

  • Structural changes in the economy that has drastically reduced well-paid, blue-collar jobs.
  • The failure of educational institutions to retain Latino students and provide them with a marketable education, resulting in a widening gap in graduation rates from both high school and college. Latinos have—by far—the highest high-school dropout rate of any group in the nation. The following dismal portrait of Latino educational status was presented in an article in "Hispanics in the United States":

For every 100 Latino children who enter Kindergarten:

    • 55 graduate from high school
    • 25 enter college
    • 7 graduate
    • 4 enter graduate school
    • 2 finish
  • Discrimination among employers who see Latino immigrants, particularly those who speak poor English, as disposable workers.

Though the number of Hispanics who have climbed the economic ladder is ever increasing, for many this land of opportunities have offered them not the "American Dream," but the "American Nightmare," suggests Arturo Vargas, head of The National Association of Latino Elected Officials.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

  1. As a Hispanic reader, what would you add to this article?
  2. If you are not Hispanic, what are your contacts with Hispanics?
  3. What most impresses you in reading this article?

IMPLICATIONS

  • Hispanics have made great contributions to the American culture, among these is its language. In the United States, Spanish is the second most common language, and there is an ever increasing demand for its mastery.
  • The ever increasing number of Hispanics in the United States constitutes a great challenge to all. Educational institutions, churches, and youth programs need to respond to the needs of the Hispanic community.
  • It is important to also recognize that Hispanics are great assets. Institutions must include and follow their leadership in order to remain relevant.

Ana Jerez Reid cCYS

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