Raxton Ramble: Hispanic American Diversity

June 12, 2011

Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Salvadoran is but a few cultures of common linguistics and struggles in America. However, each brings with them political, social, economic, religious, and familial differences that make them unique. Panethnic names such as Latino or Hispanic are dependent on the region in which the people settled; Hispanic in the east and Latino in the west. The federal government uses Hispanic for all Spanish-speaking cultures (Schaefer, 2006). Looking at the differences and similarities within the Hispanic ethnicity, there begins to be understanding into their plight here in America to keep their own identity.

Mexican Americans, also called Chicanos have been a part of the United States history since the annexation of California in 1846 (ParkNet, 2004). Original settlements were established as early as 1769 through annexation or migration from Mexico in areas currently known as California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Over the century’s Mexican Americans have settled throughout the United States; however, the largest populations are in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington (Englekirk & Marin, n.d.). Farming, ranching, and mining work attracted many Mexican immigrants to American. However, agriculture demands the majority of workers. Wages are meager at the best and continue to keep Mexican Americans at or below the poverty level (ASPE.hhs.gov, 2011). Although Spanish is traditionally the primary language for Mexican Americans, todays Mexican Americans use English as a primary language (Englekirk & Marin, n.d.). For generations Mexican Americans have been pressured to learn English to be more Americanized; with that there are many generations of Mexican Americans who speak only English. Over the centuries an off shoot of the Spanish dialect has been developed in the Southwestern states known as Chicano English (Fought, 2005). Chicano English sounds Spanish; however, not all Chicanos are bilingual, speaking only Chicano English, Spanish, or English. Mexican Americans continue to maintain their cultural aspects; traditions, family, holidays, and religious beliefs. Extended family and patriarchal attitudes have become Americanized to permit more autonomy within the household; although family ties remain strong. The majorities of Mexican Americans are Catholic and celebrate traditional services (Englekirk & Marin, n.d. para. 99). Mexican Americans have been restrained in the political area for centuries, although today they are forming strong organizations to rally for Mexican American rights. Mexican Americans are becoming more active in voting and seeking political office positions.

Puerto Ricans, as of 1917 were granted American Citizenship after the Spanish American war of 1898 when Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States in the Treaty of Paris (Green, n.d.). Migration was slow between Puerto Rico and the United States mainland until the fifties when migration increased, slowing again in the early 1960s. Migration of Puerto Ricans continues to be fluid; its citizens moving back and forth between Puerto Rico and the mainland. Often confused with Mexican Americans or Polynesians, most people do not realizing Puerto Ricans are considered natural-born citizens of the United States. Today their population within the mainland are second only to Mexican Americans. Common areas for Puerto Ricans to settle are Chicago, New York, Texas, Florida, and a few other East Coast States. Puerto Ricans traditionally have worked in service and industry positions, as early as the 1960s they began to work in contract labor, filling seasonal positions in the agriculture and construction arena. However, as industry positions are shipped overseas unemployment is on the rise. Political aspirations of Puerto Ricans are expanding as the group continues to grow. Traditionally Puerto Ricans are Roman Catholics, with a Caribbean flavor added to traditional ceremonies. Statistics, according to Derek Green, indicate 70% are currently Catholic with the remaining numbers divided amongst the Protestant denominations (para. 48). All traditional Christian holidays are celebrated along with several other days of traditional decent to the Islanders: Three King’s Day, The Day of the Race, and St. James Day. Spanish remains the primary language of Puerto Ricans even though English is taught in Puerto Rican schools. The specific dialect that has been established is called Spanglish, a mixture of English and Spanish. Family connections are an important part of Puerto Rican tradition. Because of economic struggles the family structure has changed among mainland Puerto Ricans. Bending to the more Americanized family structure allowing greater autonomy in women and children (para. 45).

In the nineteenth century Cubans began to immigrate to the United States; initially settling in the major cities of Florida and New York City. Receiving refugee status, many Cubans fled to the United States at the beginning of Fidel Castro’s dictatorship to escape the politics and socialist regime and again when Cuban trade relations with the Soviet Union ended (US Immigration Support, n.d., para. 4). Once in the United States Cubans migrated to various areas, including New Orleans, where Cuban influence has been a large part of the jazz culture (para. 1). Today the largest numbers of Cubans live in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and California (Buffington, n.d.). Miami or “little Havana” as it is known, is the epicenter of Cuban settlements (para. 16). Cubans have managed successfully to integrate into the workplace; occupying virtually every profession, they are also dedicated entrepreneurs. Unlike other Mexican and Latino cultures, Cuban Americans are fully involved and active in the American political system. Successfully lobbying and directing government agencies to support their ideals and customs more fervently. Spanish has been the dominant language for Cubans, those born in the United States report speaking English rather than Spanish (para. 28). As with Puerto Ricans, Cubans have also integrated the Spanglish dialect. Family dynamics have also been modified into a more Americanized version of the Cuban patriarch structure, giving women more autonomy and control. Because of the socialist government in Cuba, an alarming number of Cubans indicate they are antireligious. The majority, however, are Roman Catholics, with a small percent claiming a Protestant denomination.

El Salvador, meaning “the Savior” has an Aztec background prior to the Spanish conquistador’s invasion in 1520; then gaining independence from Spain in 1821(Mumford, n.d.). Fleeing from violence and persecution, Salvadorans began a mass emigration during the 1960s, they sought places like Honduras and the United States to temporarily relocate; fully intending to return home when it was safe. Smuggling themselves into the United States or seeking asylum they quickly migrated to Latino populated areas in San Francisco, Chicago, Huston, Washington, D.C., New York and the largest settlement in Los Angeles (para. 16). Because of their reasons for immigration to the United States, the Salvadoran American status is one of seclusion. Working in some of the lowest paying jobs here in America; janitorial positions in hotels, restaurants, commercial buildings, and private homes Salvadorans still manage to “send approximately $800 million back home per year” (Mumford, n.d. para 68). Because most Salvadoran Americans are not U.S. citizens they do not carry much weight in the political arena; they cannot vote. Although, according to Mumford they are making important advances for immigration status and Union solidarity (para. 72-73). Salvadorans are only beginning the transitions to becoming Americanized through the younger generation. Spanish is the native language of Salvadorians distinguished from other forms of Spanish only by their accent; only recently have they begun to adopt the English language, in part because of bilingual education programs. Traditional family life has been torn asunder for most Salvadorians due to their situations in El Salvador; however, upon arrival in the United States many married to avoid deportation and have established roots in America. Unfortunately, many of the Salvadoran youth have turned to gangs to replace family (para. 47). Most Salvadorans are of the Roman Catholic faith, but Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, and Muslim beliefs have also been documented.

People of Spanish decent have immigrated to and within the United States for various reasons: work, family, prosperity, safety, and freedom. Regardless of how they arrived, each culture is fulfilling a unique economic role within the community. Remaining together to keep traditions and religious beliefs active, many struggle to fit into the American ideal, while others blend into the Americanized system easily. Family values and political aspirations help to keep these cultures alive within the American structure. Although Hispanic and Latino ethnicity brings these different cultures together, their history and struggles to attain a better life make them uniquely individual.