After so much attention given to the Latino population after this presidential election I think we should discuss a little of the history, nature and political implications of this important and growing segment of the US population.
Let's make it clear from the beginning, this community, to which I belong, brings cultural and economic vigor to this nation. Our increasing numbers challenge all to forge new social contracts as we cooperate to build a strong society.
The Latino work ethic drives parts of the service, manufacture and agriculture sectors of our economy. Our varied participation in the marketplace and cultural life has become integral part of the U.S. life. Yet, for the most part our contribution is still behind the scenes.
To most,
"Latino" and
"Hispanic" mean the same. However, for many of us these terms represent different identities. Recent debates over our name reflect a healthy struggle for identity within a community that has largely emigrated from Latin America and the Caribbean. Those who reject the Hispanic label attempt to discard the legacy of Spanish colonialism.
By choosing Latino instead, they give name to a new settled community in the U.S. that embraces its Latin-American hybrid heritage. One problem, however, is that Latino accentuates patriarchalism since it is a masculine noun. Additionally, the title wrongly implies that we speak the archaic Latin language--a Roman colonial legacy.
On the other hand, those preferring the name Hispanic underline the community's broad preference for the Spanish language--a legacy of Hispanic colonialism. Problematically this label pulls us closer to the colonial past and rejects the diversity of our origins (indigenous, African, Asian and Spanish). It also fails to include those Latinos who do not speak Spanish.
The fact is that no label can easily represent the languages and cultures of our people. Despite its shortcomings the term Latino represents a conscious decision to create an identity separated from the painful colonial experience. Yet, it is important to honor each group's self-representation. So, if some call themselves Hispanics that is well and good too. The people in each group matter more than the labels.
Often people think about Latinos as a unified block, but the reality is that our histories make us the most diverse ethnic group in the nation. The Chicanos are by far the largest Latino group. They have effectively settled across most of the country in their gradual emigration from Mexico. However, some trace their heritage to the Southwest before U.S. occupation (1848). Thus, not all Chicanos are immigrants.
Central Americans, who have concentrated along the East Coast and in Washington State, are recent additions to the multiregional Latino community. Overlapping occasionally with Central Americans, the Caribbean Diaspora has brought people to Florida and the New York tri-state area.
Most Cuban-Americans choose political exile after the beginning of the Cuban Revolution (1959), while Puerto Ricans (by birth U.S. citizens) started immigrating earlier motivated mostly by economic hardships. Both Caribbean groups today are at extremes of the economic spectrum with Cubans being the richest. Dominicans, who have quickly taken positions of leadership, are the latest Caribbean Latino immigrants.
Taken as a whole, U.S. imperial interventions have led to waves of immigrants.
Our various socio-economic levels reveal the problems of sorting our Latino communities into pre-packaged definitions. There are Latino millionaires and a growing middle class. Most of us still earn our living working on a day to day basis, however. Working-class Latinos balance a tenacious dedication to family with a busy workload that commonly includes more than two jobs per person.
Unique challenges affect our people. For example, recent immigrants do not yet possess a Latino identity, which defines us as members of the U.S. larger society. It takes time for this identity to sink in. This issue thus explains our minimal political participation.
Latino students, moreover, tend to drop out of school more often than students from other groups. From education to the business sector, language barriers frequently obstruct the expansion of Latino talent.
Dire economic needs often force families to sacrifice education and quality housing. And time and again, at all levels, prejudices powerfully harm us.
With its stress on social responsibility, spirituality, and work ethic, the Latino Community promises to be at the center of this nation's future--despite all obstacles. Not only have Latinos become the largest ethnic group, but we have consciously modeled ourselves into a new hybrid and inclusive group.
A large pantheon of heroes helps inspire this revival. Some of these heroes come from Latin America, like José Martí, Albizu Campos, and Emiliano Zapata. Others were from the U.S, like activist Cesar Chavez, U.S. General Surgeon Antonia Novello, and baseball player Sammy Sosa.
As we appraise the Democratic Party's relationship with the growing Latino population let us look at this population growth as an opportunity for social collaboration.
Now, the hard questions
What can the Democratic Party do to attract more Latinos to stay permanently within its ranks?
What should the party not do?
What type of outreach strategies would be more effective given that we are somewhat socially conservative (family and religion focused), and economically liberals (we appreciate government social programs)?