Hispanic Americans are often referred to as Latinos. Although most people that fit into these ethnic background have preferences as to what they are referred to as. Hispanic is a term mostly used in the eastern part of the United States and Latino is a term that is mostly used in the western United States. The term Hispanic was coined by the federal government in the 1970's to refer to the people who were born in any of the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas or those who could trace their ancestry to Spain or former Spanish territories. Obviously, this represents a wide variety of countries and ethnic groups with different social, political and emotional experiences. Most Hispanics see themselves in terms of their individual ethnic identity, as Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, etc. instead of members of the larger, more ambiguous term Hispanic or Latino. (IIP Publications, 2006)
One of the main misconceptions from people that are not Hispanic is that all individuals that speak Spanish are Mexican. When in fact there are many countries other than Mexico that speak Spanish. There are many different dialects to the Spanish language as well. With every Spanish speaking country having a different dialect the Spanish language is just as diverse as the people that speak it.
There is a common identity among all these individuals; pan ethic identity is emerging among Hispanics and Latinos. Pan ethnicity is when ethnic subgroups come together. The language that is spoken with Hispanic Americans is bridging the cultural gap between them. Hispanic Americans come together with television, radio, newspapers and magazines. There are many publications that cater to the Spanish speaking communities among us. With these tools slowly the Hispanic American are developing a common identity.
Hispanics from different countries are working together to achieve the same goals. One prime example of this would be the immigration protests that were held during March, April and May of 2006. Hispanics from different countries merged together as one for the same cause and voiced their opinions all for the same cause. This political cause was very important to all Hispanics. Mexicans, Cubans, Central and South Americans all came together to fight for the rights of legalization. Legalization is very important for immigrants here in the United States. Without legalization it is almost impossible to achieve economic stability.
All Hispanics have the same political and economic challenges that come with legalization. With the exception of Puerto Ricans they are not subjected to the same political and economic challenges because Puerto Rico is considered to be part of the Unites States of America. Puerto Ricans do not have to gain immigration status to considered Americans. Mexicans, Cubans, Central and Southern Americans have much bureaucracy to face to have the same rights as Americans.
Without legal residency Hispanics are unable to work, and they cannot vote. As well as many other rights that come along with being an American; such as buying a home, establishing credit going to college, and having a well paying job. Many Americans know that those are two very important things that are part of living the American dream. Many older Hispanic American adults are immigrants with limited English language skills, who worked in low-paying jobs that did not provide retirement benefits. This contributed to the fact that 24 percent of Hispanic elders live below the poverty level—more than double the rate of older white, non-Hispanic adults who live in poverty. Legal residency is a big part of these numbers.
On average, Hispanic American adults have less formal education than the adult American population overall. Nearly 60 percent of Hispanics have less than a ninth grade education compared to 19.4 percent of adults nationwide. Sixteen percent have a high school diploma compared to almost 34 percent of adults nationwide. Three percent of Hispanic adults have a bachelor’s degree compared to almost 9 percent nationwide.
Another challenge that many Hispanic Americans face is their family ties or bonds that the Hispanic culture have. Hispanics of all countries have one main cultural similarity in common, very strong family ties. Growing up in a Hispanic American family can be a challenge in today’s society. Hispanic Americans have certain cultural differences when it comes to their family’s ways. Many Hispanic Americans believe that their children should live at home even after they graduate high school. Their parents believe that it is best that they stay at home until they get married. Most of these children will end up getting a job to help provide for their families. Hispanic American also tend to have larger families that the Non-Hispanics. This means that the older children will end up having to help raise the younger children. This can be difficult as a child when you just want to go outside and play with other children. Certain things that are part of the family bond will make these children feel like outsiders.
But there are a certain set of values in the Hispanic community that sets us apart. Family is by far is the most valued part of any Hispanic's life. Beginning with growing up, as a young Hispanic, we do not look forward to the life ahead of us with thoughts of ourselves outside the family. We are not independent of the family unit. To the contrary, what are you without your family? To another race you are yourself, to the Hispanic, you are nothing. Everything you go through as you are growing up is shared with some member of the family. Children grow up hanging out with their brothers, sisters, and cousins as friends. There is no need to go out by yourself and leave the younger ones at home as if they are a burden. Of course there are the times when you spend alone, but most of the time you spend it enjoying company of your family. (Cuevas, 2006)
Needless to say there is so much that Non-Hispanic Americans do not know about the Hispanic communities that surround them. It is very important to know about these individuals and maybe a lot that can be learned from them as well.
References
Cuevas, R. (2006). Retrieved June 11, 2006, from Bella Online Web site:
Publications, IIP. (2006, April). Retrieved June, 2006, from U.S. Embassy Web site: http://usa.usembassy.de/society-hispanics.htm
