LATINA/O
DEMOGRAPHIC EXPLOSION
BY
NICOLE D.
In
urban and suburban cities all across the U.S., cultural diversity is shaping
and transforming the places in which we live and work together as a society. The
Latino population, in particular, has been one of the fastest growing
populations in our nation and is projected to continue to grow and ultimately supersede
that of non-Latino whites in the future. According to the Census Bureau, the
U.S. Latino population has grown from 14.6 million people in 1980 to nearly 52
million people in 2011 (Badger). Latinos,
therefore, are playing a central role in our developing nation
with their Latino culture and ethnic diversity. How is
this demographic explosion and population growth of Latinos influencing how we
define these metropolitan areas in which they live and
what does it mean to be a Latino in the 21st century?
As
a Hispanic growing up on Long Island, I can say that Latin American culture was
not as widespread or generally acknowledged as it is today. My parents, who are
both Puerto Rican, moved from Brooklyn to the Long Island suburbs in the early
1970’s. Their goal was to provide more opportunity for their children and a better
quality of life. My father was a police officer in East Harlem and the inner
cities of New York and watched firsthand how drugs and street violence was
affecting these neighborhoods. Unfortunately, growing up on Long Island years
ago with no other Latino families in the area and being the minority, there was
a personal struggle for ethnic identity and ability to relate to others. A lot
has changed since then and I believe this recent
growth of the Latino population in urban and
suburban areas is an example of a positive change where Latinos
can better relate to their environment and the people they
associate with in these everyday
public spaces.
The
purpose for writing about this Latina/o demographic explosion is so people who
live in these areas, especially policy makers and people in authority, can become
conscious about how to
incorporate more equality into their laws. For example, there will need to be
more Latino decision makers who can represent this growing population. This is
important because it will empower and give a voice to the minority group. I
believe that the places in which we live have the ability to shape our
identities. So the question we should ask ourselves is
how can non-Latinos incorporate
themselves into this growing
Latino population and fully
embrace the beauty of our nation’s
multicultural and ethnic diversity.
Badger,
Emily. “The Extraordinary 30-Year Growth of the U.S. Hispanic Population.” The
Atlantic Cities: Place Matters: 30 Aug 2013. Web. 20 Mar 2014 <http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2013/08/extraordinary- growth-americas-hispanic-population/6733/>
Davis,
Mike. Magical Urbanism: Latinos Reinvent the US Big City. New
York: Verso. 2000.
This blog post touches on many of the issues we have spoken about in class. As a Latina studying politics I understand the need for representation of the Latino population especially in the suburbs, which are seeing growing numbers of Latinos. To answer Nicole's question; how can non-Latinos incorporate themselves into this growing Latino population and fully embrace the beauty of our nation's multicultural and ethnic diversity? I would have to say education! Educating non-Latinos of the issues we face in the United States in the work forces, schools, housing, and health. Educating policy makers on the things that we need as a community to better the Latino population. How can we celebrate our nation’s multicultural and ethnic diversity when we are not learning or making our country better for these people? Instead we are creating policies to keep the Latino and African American population controlled. I believe that educating policy makers on the challenges we face would increase our representation. More people would want to speak on the unjust issues we face and we would even see an increase in Latino participation in politics. Many Latinos are skeptical on government issues because so many politicians promise to better the community for votes but don’t really do much for them after they are in office. I saw this a lot while working in East Harlem this summer, most people did not believe that much would be done for their community so they would not participant. Which results in the decreasing of representation of the increasing population.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and responding to my blog Shelley! I have to say that your answer to my question is amazing. I agree with you that education is important and necessary for policy makers to make the best possible decisions for all ethnic groups in a community. It is unfortunate that Latinos don’t feel like they have an influence or a voice concerning these matters. I believe this will change in the future as more Latinos will be representing more of the population. I remember discussing in class the, also, unfortunate fact that may Latinos are not finishing school or furthering their educations. I wonder if there is a correlation between the two subjects. If more of these Latinos finish school, will they be more likely to participate when policies are being set? Having more political involvement is the only way to receive more equal rights. And to begin this process, education is essential. So another question to ask is how can we offer more equal educational opportunities to Latinos?
DeleteI do believe that as more Latinos finish school they will be more likely to participate when policies are being set. I believe that we will have a stronger voice and influence on the policies being made against us if we as a cultural were to finish school and acquire a degree. Having more political involvement will allow us to have a voice and create policies that carter to the Latino communities. To answer your question Nicole, how can we offer more equal educational opportunities to Latinos? I believe that our school system does not cater to Latinos, there should be bilingual programs helping these children to read and write properly. Educate student on current event and things that affect them. We also need to provide student with positive role models that will motivate them to go to college and improve their communities. So many Latinos come to the United States to give their children a good education, but are we really getting that education we deserve? Why is it that other countries are performing better than the United States? Yet there are millions of immigrants coming to the America to achieve the “American Dream.” Is this dream still alive or is it a just theory that us as Latinos tell ourselves to believe that we will someday make a change and improve our society.
DeleteI believe that Nicole's question: how can non-Latinos incorporate themselves into this growing Latino population and fully embrace the beauty of our nation’s multicultural and ethnic diversity? can be answered in several different ways. As stated in class Latino college enrollment is presently the highest it has ever been and although this can be seen as a positive aspect, it can also be seen as a negative one. Just because Latino enrollment into colleges is the highest its ever been does not mean that these Latinos graduate. In fact, only a small percentage of these Latinos end up graduating. Hispanics need to change this trend and actually graduate and not just enrolling; the fact that they are graduating will bring respect locally and politically to the Latino communities. Non- Latinos will then have a positive outlook towards Latinos instead of quickly stereotyping.
ReplyDeleteSince this is my last week as a senior, I am proud to say that I will be part of the small percentage of Hispanics that will be graduating college. It’s a very empowering feeling to know that I can represent the minority population of Latinos that enroll but also complete their college education. I believe this is also a beginning to future generations in my family to attend college and finish. I am the first in my family and I believe I have set a good example for my children about how important it is, as a Hispanic, to become more educated.
ReplyDeleteNicole, you bring up a very important issue revolving the Latino population. I agree with you that it is important for political figures and higher authorities understand that they Latino population is growing and will continue to grow. Furthermore, because WE are a growing population and will become the minority-majority, it is important that we take the necessary steps to ensure that we are taken seriously by policy makers and other political representatives. One way to accomplish this is through higher education and not fulfilling any stereotypes affiliated with the Latino population. Through education we can have better political understandings and be able to execute certain issues accordingly. Once again good job on addressing this topic!
ReplyDeletenicole, thank you for this insightful blog and believe it correlates with many topics we discussed through out the class . An interesting point i found in your blog was how your family moved to the suburbs in order for greater opportunities. This is something common, and in recent years the Latino population in the suburbs has grown dramatically. I would be interested in hearing whether you feel the move the suburbs benefit Latinos with the new cases being presented to the public of housing discrimination and zoning laws. I think you provide an insightful question to whether Latinos still have the right to leave cultural and traditional values in an area. In my opinion suburban areas are reluctant to this idea because they think it goes against the traditional values of assimilating. The best way Latino population can fully embrace the beauty of our nation’s multicultural and ethnic diversity is through being actively involved not just with electoral politics but also local politics. We know that the Latino population slowly but surely is becoming more educated and through this we can fix the issues of being marginalized. We also see that entrepreneurs are especially realizing this that the Latino community has helped many local businesses prosper. Latinos are a growing consumer market and being active in our communities helps demonstrate this idea.
ReplyDeleteYou have posed an important question pertaining to the non-Latino people. Growing up in the Bronx, I have seen assimilation of all sorts. Kids that I grew up with essentially became Black/Latino, despite race or ethnicity. I had multiple non-Latino white friends who embraced the cultures brought forth by Blacks/Latinos. It's easy for one to assimilate in a such diverse environment that is already established. The question you pose has a lot to do with location. Whites in Long Island are probably less likely to become "Latino" before whites living in the urban city. Assimilation to others culture might not be as easy for traditional conservatives.
ReplyDeleteNicole, I also grew up in Long Island and I agree that there is a lack of a Latino population. For that matter, there is a lack of any racial group other than non-Latino whites. The population of the area where I grew up was predominantly white, which is rather upsetting. There is an extreme lack of diversity and I feel that this is harmful towards the area. Coming to Albany, I became acquainted with a lot more ethnically diverse people as opposed to the people from my home. It was refreshing and I found that I prefer being surrounded by a diverse group of people, rather than people from a similar background. It gives me new perspective and a much needed reality check.
ReplyDeleteNicole, although I did not grow up in Long Island, I can relate to the feeling of growing up in a place that lacks diversity. I grew up in upstate New York which is also predominately Non-Hispanic White. I have seen a demographic change in recent years as well. The Latino population more than doubled in my county in the past 10 years. I like the point you made towards the end of your post about Latinos needed decision makers to help represent them. I took a Latino politics course here at UAlbany, and I learned that a lot of Latinos do not advocate for representation because they feel that they do not have a chance against the white majority. Maybe as their numbers continue to rise, they will not feel that way anymore.
ReplyDelete