A New Hispanic America is on the way
In today’s world things are rapidly changing, and a Hispanic America is a reality. The world is at a point of revolutionizing, and America is at the forefront of this reform. We are steadily talking about globalization, and the effects on the American economy. Large corporations are diversifying to meet the needs of global businesses. And, why not, we are a very diverse nation.In this post we examine the article, Hispanic Nation, presented by Grow (2004) in (Jones & George, 2007, pp.131-135). This is a phenomenon that is affecting the very fibers of our country, see for yourselves. We scrutinize: what are the implications of the influx of Hispanics for diversity in the United States? What are the cost and benefits for Hispanics of trying to retain their own cultures while assimilating into U.S. culture? Is the notion of the United States as a “melting pot” outdated? Why or why not? Also, to what extent does increasing globalization mean more multiculturalism and more multilingual citizens in a variety of countries, including the United States?
Implications of a Hispanic America
Implications of the influx of Hispanics for diversity in the United States; by 2003, Latinos had become the largest minority group in America, Saenz (2004) in Population Reference Bureau (2008). The impact they have made on the fabric of the American cultural quilt is significant. Food, music, advertising, clothing, education, and politics have all expanded to embrace the Latino culture, and to the advantage of these industries. Between 1994 and 2005, the number of Hispanic-Americans grew six times more than the general market (Torres & Briggs, 2007, p.1).American businesses have taken notice. Changes in product lines, and advertising to appeal to Hispanic markets, are probably the most apparent addition to the American culture. Mexican food stores and restaurants are plentiful; new flavors like dulce de leche are taking the shelves.
In ethnic communities, many billboards are now in Spanish. Companies have recognized and are focused on the Hispanic market (Torres & Briggs 2007, p.1). Proctor and Gamble sums it up on their website by stating they are “. . . making a difference, supporting Hispanic education and health, expanding work force and supplier diversity, and proactively reaching out to the Hispanic community in a variety of ways ” Rivera (2008) in (Proctor & Gamble, (2008).
Cost and Benefits for Hispanics
Additionally, there are some cost and benefits for Hispanics trying to retain their own cultures while assimilating into U.S. society. For example, Hispanics have a 50% failure rate in obtaining high school diplomas, Grow (2004) in (Jones & George, 2007, p.133). With over 400,000 Latinos migrating to America each year, many Hispanics who live here become comfortable living amongst themselves and speaking Spanish, Grow (2004) in (Jones & George, 2007, p.133). This language barrier causes them to do poorly in school.Also, because of their strong work ethics many Latinos drop out of school to help make ends meet, Grow (2004) in (Jones & George, 2007, p.133). Many of these poorly educated, low-skilled, and non English speaking Latinos, who have no other alternatives, fill jobs, such as field and/or crop workers, house cleaning, and factory worker.
In contrast, regardless of their jobs, “Latinos… disposable income has jumped 29% since 2001, to $652 billion in 2003…according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia” Grow (2004) in (Jones & George, 2007, p132).
In addition, everyday, many Latinos are able to cross the border between the United States and Mexico to visit their families, enabling them to maintain family ties, work, and vacation. Besides, The Hispanic community has turned the eyes of America’s industries, which are now catering to their passions. Hispanics are swiftly becoming the trend setters.
Hispanics as the Majority is America
But, is the notion of the United States as a “melting pot” outdated? Why or why not? Throughout the world America is known as the “melting pot”. This is a term used to describe “the way homogenous societies develop in which the ingredients (people of different cultures, races and religions) are combined to form one multiethnic society” Wikipedia (2008).This had pertained to people of African and European descent, and the “melting” of their backgrounds and ethnicities to become what is known as “American’ culture. No longer are we recognized as Africans or Italians, we have become Americans with no distinguishable lines.
However, Hispanic immigrants have slowly but surely become the largest minority in this country, and the “melting pot” may no longer fit the bill. “Hispanics aren’t so much assimilating as acculturating-acquiring a new culture while retaining their original one” Grow (2004) in (Jones & George 2007, p.133).
Latinos children are learning English in school and coming home to their Spanish speaking families and neighborhoods. Thus, the “melting pot” may soon be obsolete. As more Hispanics impact the American culture, we begin to see ourselves as a Mosaic, or maybe even a salsa, taking us into a new America.
Finally, to what extent does increasing globalization mean more multiculturalism and more multilingual citizens in a variety of countries, including the United States? Globalization is not just about commerce, it’s also about culture and language. Many countries are experiencing drastic and constant influx of foreign populations.
Chile has seen an increase of 75 % since 1992, while an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 Albanians have crossed the border into Greece. The United States had experienced a growth of 38.8 million Hispanics by 2003, an all-time high, Cohen (2007). Many countries are attempting to stop this onslaught, by building security barriers at their borders, with little to no success.
Hispanics, Diversity and Globalization
Culture diversity is playing a huge role in globalization. Manufacturing companies are forced to print multi-lingual instructions for their products; this is just one example of globalization in the United States. Expectations that Hispanics will account for nearly 25 % of the American workforce in the next two generations, Grow (2004) in (Jones & George, 2007, p.132) , is a strong indicator, that mangers across the United States need to become bilingual.Preserving the Hispanic Culture
Several programs are already in existence to preserve the Hispanic culture. Two such programs are ‘The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), an incorporated, non-profit, national association representing the interest of… Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal professions… paralegals, and law students in the United States” Hispanic National Bar Association (2002-2007). And, “The National Hispanic Medical Association is a nonprofit association, representing 36,000 licensed Hispanic physicians in the United States” National Hispanic Medical Association (2007).
In conclusion, Hispanics are now the majority minority group, and are affecting our industries. Their poor educational status entraps them in the worst low paying jobs; still, they spend the most money among the minority groups. Moreover, Latinos are able to regularly visit their country, and live in their own communities here in America.
Because of the aforementioned, they retain their culture acculturating more than assimilating changing the “melting pot” status of America. Meanwhile, because of Globalization, many countries are seeing an influx of immigrants, and America is no different. Thus, we now have a fast growing Spanish America, a nation within a nation.
References
Cohen. I. (2007)Hispanics in the United States. Retrieved May 5th, 2008, from http://www.eclac.org/washington/publicaciones/xml/1/29671/LC-WAS-W.2.pdf United Nations Headquarters, New York, N.Y.Grow, B. (2004) in Jones, G. R. & George, J. M. (2007). Essentials of Contemporary Management 2nd Edition. McGrew-Hill Company, Inc., New York, NY.
Hispanic National Bar Association. (2002-2007). National Voice of the: U.S. Hispanic Legal Community. Retrieved April 30th, 2008, http://www.hnba.com/
National Hispanic Medical Association. (2007). Hispanic physicians. Retrieved May 5th, 2008, from http://www.nhmamd.org/
Rivera, I. in Proctor & Gamble, (2008). Diversity.Retrieved April 30th, 2008, from http://www.pg.com/company/who_we_are/diversity/multi/hispanic.jhtml
Saenz, R. (2004) in Population Reference Bureau (2008). Latinos and the Changing Face of America.Retrieved April 30th, 2008, from http://prb.org/Articles/2004/LatinosandtheChangingFaceofAmerica.aspx
Torres, I. & Briggs, E. (2007). Identification Effects on Advertising Response. Journal of Advertising, 36(3), 97-108. Retrieved April 30th, 2008, from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdf?vid=3&hid=107&sid=02dffeb2-e797-4f7f-8d43-4e3afd7f6dff%40sessionmgr107
Wikipedia. (2008). Melting Pot. Retrieved April 30th, 2008, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_pot
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