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“melting pot” outdated?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 5
th, 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 2
nd 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 30
th, 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 30
th, 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 30
th, 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 30
th, 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 30
th, 2008, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_pot
