sociology IR4

Latin@s / Hispanic Americans

SOCY 3020-E01 Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.

Fall 2018

Latinos/Hispanics in the U.S.

 By the numbers:

 Approximately 56.6 Million as of July 1, 2015. (about 18% of the U.S. population & constantly

growing.) (U.S. Census Bureau)

 65% are of Mexican background, 9% Puerto Rican, 3.5% Cuban. The rest are grouped as ‘other’

including the Caribbean people, South Americans, and Central Americans (Pew Research Center).

 Of the 15+ million of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. approximately 10 million are Hispanic

immigrants of which 7 million are of Mexican nationality (Pew Research Center).

 More than half of the Latino/Hispanic American population resides in these three states: California,

Texas, and Florida.

 “California had the largest Hispanic population of any state (15.2 million) in 2015. Texas had the largest

numeric increase within the Hispanic population since July 1, 2014. New Mexico had the highest

percentage of Hispanics at 48.0 percent” (U.S. Census Bureau).

 Stewart County in southwest Georgia experienced the most growth in the Hispanic population since

2000, growing 1,754% over 13 years (Pew Research Center).

Latino vs. Hispanics

Latino vs. Hispanic: The Terminology Conflict

 What is “Latino?” A Latino is someone from Latin America.

 What is “Hispanic?” A Hispanic is an “Hispano parlante” which translates into a Spanish-speaking

individual.

 Why both terms? Both terms are used interchangeably in order to try to include as many Latin Ethnic

groups as possible.

 Which one is used over the other depends on different parts of the country. Usually, Latino is

predominantly used as a term in the East Coast and Hispanic is used in the West Coast, even though

either term is being applied interchangeably nowadays.

 Why does the government prefers “Latino” over “Hispanic?” It simply correlates to the federal

government being on the East Coast and using the term “Latino.”

Pan-Latinoness

 Mexico

 Mexico is divided in 31 states.

 Pop: 124 million.

 Ranked 10th most populated country in the world behind Russia and followed by Japan.

 Central America & The Caribbean

 U.K., U.S., French, Dutch, and independent countries.

 Seven Central American countries.

 South America

 Twelve countries.

 One French Territory.

 One British Territory

 Five different languages spoken:

 Spanish,  Portuguese in Brazil.  French in French Guyana,  Dutch in Suriname,  English in Guyana.

“Pan-Latinoness:” Myth or Reality?

 The Pan-Latino approach is an example of a panethnicity factor in U.S. society.

 As Schaefer (2002) explains, panethnicity “refers to the development of solidarity among ethnic

subgroups.

 Non-Hispanics often give single label to the diverse group of native-born Latino Americans and

immigrants.

 This labeling by the out-group is similar to the dominant group’s way of viewing American Indians or

Asian Americans as one collective group” (Schaefer, 2002).

 This approach and popular label creates heated debate among Latinos and affect cultural identity for this

entire group and the different groups within it.

 Are all Latinos/Hispanics the same?

 Absolutely not. If we apply the term Latino, as it was originally applied, then we refer to Latin America

(which includes Central and South America and the Caribbean), which in turn excludes Mexico as a

North American country.

 Then when applying the term Hispanic we include everyone who speaks Spanish, which in turn can:

 Include Spaniards (who are European)

 But will leave out all the Caribbean and South American people who may speak Portuguese (Brazil),

French (French Guyana and many Caribbean Islands), English (Belize, Jamaica, and other Caribbean

Islands), or Dutch (The Netherlands Antilles in this case the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and

Curacao).

 Are all Mexicans the same?

 They may come from the same country, but Mexican culture is very complex and can greatly vary from

Northern, Central, and Southern Mexico, as well as from urban and rural Mexico.

 What about Mexican Americans (Chicanos)?

 For some people, the term “Chicano” may carry a negative connotation as an informal cultural term or

can denote group membership within the Mexican American community based on social class, heritage,

Spanish/English abilities, or other judgmental criteria.

 For many other people, Chicanos, ethnically speaking, are simply Mexican American individuals. Think

of Chicano Studies department across U.S. Universities. The Chicano Movement, or even the phrase

‘Chicano pride.’

 Chicanos can easily experience a sense of twoness by being born citizens of this country but not

speaking their native Spanish.

 Hence the discrimination between Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants in this country against

Chicanos whom they sometimes see as “Americans” more than “Mexicans.”

 This same group then faces racism, prejudice, and discrimination in the United States as they are lumped

together within an “all are Mexicans” approach which can easily exclude many relevant cultural factors

that makes this group a unique one in our society.

 This also means that Chicanos cannot be “illegal immigrants” as they are U.S. citizens by birth.

 Are Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, other Caribbean people, Central Americans, and South

Americans the same?

 Obviously not. Caribbean people can share a history of conquest by different past colonizers (Spaniards,

British, the Dutch, the French, the Portuguese) but many different cultures can be found in the

Caribbean.

 Central and South America, as two of the three parts of the Americas also include many shared historical

roots and unique cultural differences.

 From native influences to Colonizing forces, each Central and South American country has it own

celebrated and well-established culture.

 Are they all “illegal immigrants?”

 Even though we may often hear this phrase and claim, some facts need to be taken into consideration.

 First, there are millions of Mexican-Americans in this country, born and raised here and as ‘American’

as we consider this term to be.

 There is also another sizeable population of Latino and Hispanic Americans born and raised in this

country (or in Puerto Rico) as well.

 If we do the math, with a Latino/Hispanic American population of about 57 million people in the United

States and an undocumented immigrant population of about 15 million people of which approximately

10 million are of Latin/Hispanic nationalities, well, that leaves more than 47 million Latin/Hispanic

Americans that are far from being “illegal” immigrants.

 How are they a social power? Economic force? Political and/or social influence?

 This specific group has become a social, economic, and political power the same way that any group

that in the very near future will represent almost 25% of the population from the third most populated

country in the world would: numbers and demographic density.

 Socially, they represent a group of cultures, traditions, foods, language, plus Mexicans and Mexican

Americans share a unique cultural tie with some U.S. states that used to be part of Mexico not too long

ago.

 These states included Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, and parts of Colorado

and Wyoming,.

 Mexico pre-1846

 Mexico pre-1846.

 Mexico post-1848

 Latinos and Hispanic Americans are an unstoppable economic force as well.

 In modern capitalistic society, the acquisition of power will give unique economic status to any social

group.

 In this sense, 57 million people have plenty of market value and purchasing power.

 Social mobility also keeps growing and keeps being enjoyed by millions of members from this group.

 This group also includes specific market demands such as entertainment in their native language and

many other endemic items in relation to their specific Latin and Hispanic cultures. Just think of the

different foods alone.

 As far as being a political force, this instance was clearly demonstrated in the 2008 and 2012

presidential electoral cycles in this country.

 The ‘Latino Vote’ was a deciding factor in favor of the Democrats in these two presidential elections

and it was not the same for the past 2016 presidential elections (where 40% of the Latino vote was for

Republican candidate and newly elected President).

 As we are currently seeing in all these electoral cycles, neither main political party in this country can

afford to discount the power of the Latino vote. This minority group affects our political debates, our

political agenda, and even political progress in this country. This clearly shows the political power this

minority group has, even in the current political climate.

 What about education?

 According to Jens Krogstad (2016) and the Pew Research Center:

 “Over the past decade, the Hispanic high school dropout rate has dropped dramatically.

 The rate reached a new low in 2014, dropping from 32% in 2000 to 12% in 2014 among those ages 18 to

24.

 This helped lower the national dropout rate from 12% to 7% over the same time period, also a new low.

 However, the Hispanic dropout rate remains higher than that of blacks (7%), whites (5%), and Asians

(1%)” (Pew Research Center, 2016).

Immigration Rationale

 Hispanic/Latino immigrants come to this country for many different reasons but do share a very

common goal, and that is to have a better life.

 This includes being able to have better work and/or professional opportunities, better lifestyle choices,

family life possibilities, and better personal safety among many others.

 In the past few decades we have also seen many political reasons emerge in Mexico, Central America,

and South America which in turn has increased the immigration rate from several nationalities within

this group.

 We have seen the narcoterrorism violence escalate to unthinkable proportions. We have seen military

coups, dictatorships, oppressive governments, and many economic collapses that have brought alarming

poverty rates.

Main Sociocultural Differences & Stereotypes

 Sociocultral differences abound within this group.

 The different foods can greatly vary for many Hispanics/Latinos.

 Languages do vary as well. Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, English, native dialects, even Spanish

slang within different countries.

 Pluralism, individualism, and collectivism can be cultural expectations.

 Religious influence can be predominantly Catholic, but different beliefs are also part of different groups

as well.

 Sexism, machismo, family role expectations, gender role expectations, discrimination factors.

 Main Sociocultural Differences & Stereotypes

 We also find many different stereotypes and prejudices attached to this entire group.

 Criminal behavior and welfare system abuse.

 Judging members of this group due to their accents and thinking that an accent can make someone less

intelligent.

 Latinos look the same. Applying a sameness approach to all different cultures within this group.

Following and applying the phenotypical approach.

 Oversexualization of Latin women and Latin men as the voluptuous women or the ‘rico suave’ ‘Latin

lover.’

Mexican American History

 The Mexican – American war takes place between April 1846 and January 1848.

 Texas becomes part of the United States and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed which marks the

official surrender and end of the war.

 The treaty also cedes nearly one half of the Mexican territory to the U.S. including what is today

California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and

Wyoming.

 The treaty also included the stipulation that Mexican people in those territories could become U.S.

Citizens. This would happen automatically within one year of the treaty ratification so two major events

in Mexican American history happened:

 First, the border crossed them, not the other way around. This means that people who were living in

Mexico now, all of a sudden and without say, found themselves living in the United States.

 Second, we now have what we call the ‘Creation Generation.’ A term referring to the first generation of

Mexican Americans in this country.

 Mexican American History: The Mexican American Civil Rights Movement

 “The Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, one of the least studied social movements of the

1960s, encompassed a broad cross section of issues—from restoration of land grants, to farm workers

rights, to enhanced education, to voting and political rights.

 It begins in New Mexico with Reies López Tijerina and the land grant movement, is picked up by

Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales in Denver who defines the meaning of Chicano through his epic poem I am

Joaquin, embraces César Chávez and the farm workers, turns to the struggles of the urban youth, and

culminates in growing political awareness and participation with La Raza Unida Party” (JMMH, 2001).

 If you wish to read this iconic and highly influential poem by Corky Gonzales please follow this link:

I am Joaquin

 Of special mention are César Chavez and Dolores Huerta and their United Farm Workers Union (UFW).

 Their movement also used a non-violent approach while implementing different ethnic symbols to gain

attention and participation.

 A major goal accomplished by them, their movement, and their union was affecting immigration

regulations and protecting workers.

 Braceros

 United Farm Workers

 UFW Logo

 “Two organizations attempted to represent and organize the farmworkers. One had been formed in 1959

by the AFL-CIO, called the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. It was an outgrowth of an

earlier farmworker organization, the Agricultural Workers Association (AWA), founded by Dolores

Huerta.

 AWOC was mostly composed of Filipinos, Chicanos, Anglos and Black workers. The Filipino workers

in particular had experience organizing unions in the fields and with strikes. Two of its early leaders

were Larry Itliong, a Filipino, and Dolores Huerta, a Chicana.

 The National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) was started by a young Chicano named Cesar Chavez

in 1962. Chavez, the son of a family of extremely poor farmworkers, had risen through the ranks of the

grassroots Community Service Organization (CSO) to become its national director. CSO worked with

communities to solve problems through organizing and direct action. But when CSO refused to

concentrate its efforts on organizing farmworkers, Chavez left to found the NFWA” (ufw.org)

Puerto Rico

 Pop: 3.6 mil

 78 Municipalities which function as counties.

 Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth, also known as an Unincorporated Federal Dependency.

 “In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and

African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American

War.

 Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917.

 Popularly elected governors have served since 1948.

 In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government.

 In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status with the

US, but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood” (cia.gov).

 The 2012 Plebiscite Vote results were:

(Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico)

 This means that Puerto Ricans have voted to become the 51st U.S. State. A measure that can only be

ratified by the U.S. Congress and Congress has the legal right to conduct its own federal plebiscite in

Puerto Rico if this statehood petition would be recognized.

 Puerto Ricans are mainly concentrated in New York and Florida (census.gov) but we are seeing other

cities with a sizeable concentration of Puerto Ricans like Los Angeles and Chicago.

 As a unique factor affecting Puerto Ricans within the Hispanic/Latino group is that even though they are

U.S. Citizens by birth, and even though the U.S. Constitution guarantees voting rights for all citizens,

Puerto Ricans residing in Puerto Rico cannot vote for presidential elections, only if they reside on the

mainland.

 U.S. Territories - Video

 Originally aired on March 8, 2015: (13min)

John Oliver’s U.S. Territories segment (Adult language and situations included)

Puerto Rican Solidarity

 Although not required I would still urge you to consider helping the people in Puerto Rico as they still

battle their most recent and ongoing crisis after hurricane Irma and Maria.

 Feel free to review the information below or use the direct link for this help resource page:

o http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/can-help-hurricane-victims-puerto-rico/

 Nearly all of the U.S. territory’s 3.4 million residents need assistance recovering from the storm. Here’s how you can help.

 Cash. Most organizations are asking for cash, rather than supplies, so they can route help to where it’s needed most more

quickly. Here are some of the largest groups with campaigns underway:

 United for Puerto Rico (spearheaded by the First Lady of Puerto Rico)  UNICEF  Center for Popular Democracy  Hispanic Federation’s “Unidos” page  Direct Relief  Save the Children, which focuses specifically on the needs of families and their children.  Global Giving has a $2 million goal for victims of Hurricane Maria  GoFundMe has also created a hub that includes all campaigns for Hurricane Maria. You can also find campaigns for

individual families seeking help for loved ones.

 Finding reliable ways to give, especially during times when multiple disasters intersect like they did last year, can be

overwhelming. This list is a good place to start, but as always, do your own research to make sure your aid dollars go as far

as they possibly can in the right direction. Visit Charity Navigator if you aren’t sure whether an organization is trustworthy.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/can-help-hurricane-victims-puerto-rico/

Cuba

 Pop. 11 million.

 14 provinces & 1 special municipality.

 Largest Caribbean country.

 150 km south of Key West, FL

 Cubans

 “US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing

Spanish rule.

 The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from Spain in 1898 and, following three-and-a-half

years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba became an independent republic in 1902

 Fidel Castro led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his authoritarian rule held the subsequent regime

together for nearly five decades.

 He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul Castro” (cia.gov).

 Cubans are the third largest group within the Hispanic/Latino group.

 Their presence in this country traces back to the first Cuban settlements in Florida in 1831 (Schaefer,

2002).

 Until recently, the number of Cuban Americans was somewhat modest. The 1960 Census showed

79,000 people. By the year 2000, over 1.4 million (Schaefer, 2002) and as of 2011 and estimated 2

million Cuban Americans (Pew Hispanic Research Center, 2013).

 Cuban immigration has been steady to the United States, but several influxes have created different

issues for Cubans and Cuban Americans in this country.

 Any Cuban citizen that reaches the United States is considered a political refugee and is give asylum

with the option of requesting citizenship.

 The “Marielitos” incidence marked a very influential point in Cuban and Cuban American relations in

this country.

 Through the Mariel port in Cuba and after president Carter communicated to the Cuban people that if

they wanted to come to the U.S. they would be received with open arms. Fidel Castro proceeded to send

several ships with Cuban citizens to the United States.

 In a different turn of events, among those sent to this country included basically a ‘clean-up’ of Cuban

prisons, mental asylums, and rehabilitation centers by Fidel Castro.

 This U.S. – Cuban exchange proved to be an embarrassment to Carter’s presidency and created many

clashes between the ‘Marielitos’ and ‘Old Money’ Cuban Americans who in turn highly discriminated

these new group members.

 More recently and as many of you are probably aware, U.S. – Cuban relations experienced a historic

change on December, 2014.

 “As a result of efforts begun in December 2014 by President Obama to re-establishment diplomatic

relations with the Cuban government, which were severed in January 1961, the US and Cuba reopened

embassies in their respective countries on 20 July 2015” (cia.gov).

 This event took 18 months of secret diplomatic talks and the exchange of several prisoners from each

side also with exclusive help and intervention from Pope Francis.

 As a correlated event, on March 4, 2015, Cuba and the European Union renewed talks on improving

relations, with a sensitive focus on human rights, labor, trade, health, agriculture, and education.