LATINO EXPLOSION IN THE UNITED STATES
BY STUDENT
BY STUDENT
The Latino population has been shown to be the biggest it has ever been since Latinos started migrating to the United States. Why did the Latino population expand in the 20th century and who exactly were migrating to the United States? The census has shown that in the past 30 years there has been a Hispanic explosion leading 52 million and 16.7% of the total population to be Latinos in the United States. Latinos have surpassed blacks and have become the biggest minority group in the United States, as well as being the second Spanish-speaking nation (El Nasser, 2013). The Census has also shown that 36 out of 50 states have shown to surpass the minority-majority population threshold, only leaving 34% of under age 5 representing at least one minority (Berg, 2012)
Latinos started to migrate to the United States in hopes for better jobs. Cubans were moving to Union City, New Jersey to work in factories because of their lax rules and more opportunities. In 1970 and 1980 the census showed that Hispanics were the only ethnic group in the United States that maintained representation in blue-collar employment. (Bose, & Acosta-Belén, 1995) Half of the firms were made up of women working for electronic factories, in which most of them were immigrants and came by themselves in the United States. The factory spaces had created new opportunities for women. They were able to be independent for their first time and they were able to escape machismo from their homes. Women started to reconceptualize their subjectivity by entering the workforce as a sign of liberation.
A HBO documentary series called Latin
Explosion came out in 2015. This documentary highlighted that in 1950, one in
fifty Americans were Latinos and they expect by 2025 for it to increase to one
in three Americans. The Latino explosion
is not only seen through increased numbers in the census but also in the way in
which Latinos are using their space to expose themselves. The arts are prime
example where Latinos are surpassing boundaries and making a difference in the
American culture. Latinos have also been extremely present in politics, in 2009
Sonia Sotomayor was the first Latina Judge who was sworn into the Supreme Court
Justice. Catherine Cortez Masto was elected to be the first Latina Senator and
Adrian Espaillat is the first Dominican man elected into congress.
I think it is amazing to see how Latinos have
come a long way in the United States. From barely having any Latinos in the
Early 1900’s, to now being the biggest growing minority population. I think
that the United States is diversifying more in urban and rural places. Gender
figures is still something that we see today as women are taking on more roles
in society and continuing to shape their subjectivity. A lot of Latinos are now
present in the city of certain states as we all the suburbs. Groups like Young
Lords have fought for moments and opportunities that Latinos are now
surpassing. Although there is still more work that needs to be made, it is
important to see how many changes Latinos have made and how they continue to
break the Internet.
Work Cited
Clip of the trailer Latin Explosion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR865uS7F74
Berg,
N. (2012). U.S. Metros Are Ground Zero for Majority-Minority Populations.
CityLab. Retrieved 27 March 2017, from http://www.citylab.com/housing/2012/05/us-metros-are-ground-zero-majority-minority-populations/2043/
Bose, C., & Acosta-Belén, E.
(1995). Women in the Latin American development process (1st ed.).
Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
El
Nasser, H. (2013). Retrieved 27 March 2017, from
http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.albany.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=a897c821-d582-4653-9a93-2180df9726a2%40sessionmgr120&hid=111&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=J0E317575474113
As a Latino, this post filled me with much pride. One win means so much and the statistics in this post show more than one! To learn in this course where the people of my past came from and what they had to endure makes me appreciate where I am today yet also inspires me to keep paying it forward. This type of recognition is necessary in order to show the people of all Latino communities that over time, change does occur. Yet the actions that are taken present day directly affect that course of change over time. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAs a Latina, it really makes me happy to see how much in common I have with the United States population. Latino/as did not have it easy when the first large migration of Mexicans and Puerto Rican's came to the United States in the late 1800's early 1900's; and in fact they still do not have it easy. As we have learned in class that Latino/as and Blacks still have it the hardest between all of of the minorities in the United States population. However it does warm my heart to see that overtime we have overcome many obstacles to being Hispanic or Latina and because of that our once small minority group is now a Majority-minorirty group. Meaning that slowly but surely Latino/as and Hispanics are moving up on the success ladder and doing better for themselves and their families. This is also allowing easier opportunity for new latino migration to the United States. Latino/a's all over the United States in the early 20th century could have been rejected from housing and employment just for being of Latin origin. But today our constant protest from equality (like that of the Chicano movement and Young lords)has insipired many more latino/a's to move here; including my parents and myself. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis Latino explosion to me is something that fills me up with happiness because our people continue to make up a huge part of the United States. Sooner or later, the Latino population will surpass that of the white population and we will be considered the majority minority or minority majority if not already.
ReplyDeleteThough we as a community might see this as an accomplishment, many in the United States see this "Latino Explosion" to be a problem just like the "Puerto Rican Problem" and the "Black Problem" always targeted to people who are the minority. The question I raise is why is that now a problem when the Latino community is now on its way to be a majority population in the United States?
The Latino Explosion is something I wasn't aware of before because I grew up in a community that was all Latino but since I've moved into the "suburbs" I can see the steady increase of Latinos in the community. I feel like the US has a lot more changes to make, especially since soon the Latino population will be the majority. There needs to be an increase in Latino influence in politics and media or else we will remain a "majority- minority". A lot of people have adopted an anti-latino mindset and believe building a wall will stop the increased migration and end the Latino Explosion when, in reality, it won't.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog post, its was interesting to see when and why certain Latino groups migrate! I didn't know there was an HBO show dedicated to Latino migration, thats amazing! Even though I'm not a Latina, I'm proud that the culture is flourishing!
ReplyDeleteIts great to see Latinos doing so well in the U.S because diversity is what keeps America a better place. Latino expulsion affects the United States on so many levels;without their vibrant culture, trends, hard work, and help in fighting for equality, the U.S would be a much different and probably much darker place.
ReplyDeletevery great way to start your blog. The Latino explosion statement definitely caught my eye. why do you think this is considered to be an explosion in the U.S. population?
ReplyDelete