A Hispanic America: Nation within a Nation

by Anthony Williams  

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  Is the notion of the United States as a “melting pot” outdated?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 5^th, 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

The Pros and Cons of globalization

Globalization is a set of relationships that is co-dependent on each other; these relationships are between people in different locations worldwide that are divided into nations. As well, these relationships tend to be expanding. As far as pros and cons are concerned, let’s consider the following.  Nations are able to share in new technology, and firms with innovative products can do business with a larger costumer base worldwide. Thus, this would result in increase revenues for those firms. So too, global competition increases due to consumers’ awareness, and their ability to purchase new items that were once unreachable. In turn, by clustering firms gain greater awareness of foreign opportunities. This means new investments and potential profits (Daniels, Radebaugh, & Sullivan, 2011).

Globalization can also lead to better quality of life for host nations. As well as, good working relationships among the different nations involved is a benefit through sign treaties. But, where there is an upside there is also usually a downside. From this point of view, globalization is said to take away jobs from countries with firms looking for cheaper labor in foreign countries. Wages are, as well, argued to become stagnated as firms outsource jobs. When nations join the globalization expansion they run the risk of losing some economic leadership. Also, the people of a nation who has to worry about losing jobs and therefore economic status become stressful (Daniels, et al., 2011).

Global Forces Driving Globalization

One of the main forces driving globalization is technology; because of new technology, firms can now communicate in real time and even see each other while talking. Technology, also, allows for rapid transport of goods and people worldwide. Thus, many of the good that would have spoiled before reaching its destination in the past can now arrive wholesome. This rapid development in technology, and various innovative developments, has widened the consumer demand base globally (Daniels, et al., 2011).

Example of who have Benefited from globalization and who did not

I think that Carnival is the epitome of a company that is truly global. Carnival is a Panamanian company that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and has its operating headquarters in Miami. This means that Carnival passengers are mostly from the United States. The Carnival benefits from globalization by not having to pay taxes in its home country nor the United States. The carnival also has access to all nations as its source of customers (Daniels, et al., 2011). Wal-Mart is another firm that has benefited from globalization. There are Wal-Mart Stores in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Brazil, China, and other south pacific countries that maintain a high profitability.  Wal-Mart has also managed to keep its production cost low (Anthony, Kacmar., & Perrewe, 2010).

By contrast, city workers in the local police departments do not directly benefit from globalization as far as their job, or pay is concerned. Nor do the fire department, or the regular factory worker. In fact, if you are a worker and not an owner of a major company, chances is you where probably displace from your job. May be it is time to start your own business, just a thought.

References

Anthony, W. P., Kacmar, K. M., & Perrewe, P. L. (2010). Human resources management: A strategic approach. (6th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

Daniels, J., Radebaugh, L., & Sullivan, D. (2011). International business: Environments and operations (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

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This entry was posted in Empower Network

Tags: globalization, jobs, technology, treaties, Wages

 

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