Hispanic Americans

1. Chapter 9 Hispanic Americans

2. Latino Identity Panethnicity---the development of solidarity between ethnic sub-groups, as reflected in the terms Hispanic and Asian American Is this really an indication of solidarity? Or does it stem from the rest of the world�s refusal to distinguish between different Latino nations of origin? Or Both??

3. Latino Identity Color Gradient---If race is socially constructed, it is usually done so in terms of skin color. Color Gradient is the placement of people on a continuum from light to dark skin color rather than in distinct racial groupings What are the advantages of this? Disadvantages?

4. Economic Picture Latino wealth---10 cents for every $1 of white wealth 23.2% of Latinos below the poverty line These economic burdens are increased by the frequent practice of sending money abroad to aid family and friends in their native countries.

5. Who will the Latinos vote for Unlike the African American vote, the Latino vote is still largely up for grabs for both political parties. Due to the large increase in Latino population in the U.S. they have become a significant voting block But, are they a block?? What issues are most important to Latinos, and which party is most likely to satisfy them?

6. The Borderlands The area of common culture along the border between Mexico and the U.S. Maquiladoras�Foreign owned companies on the Mexican side of the border with the U.S. --Average wage is $3/hour with NO benefits Many of these companies are American And this is another example of what?? GLOBALIZATION!!

7. Continued Anyone Remember what �Remittances� are? Hometown clubs---non-profit organizations that maintain close ties to immigrants� hometowns in Mexico and other Latin American countries There are more than 1500 of such clubs (mostly in the borderlands) and they coordinate efforts and collect money to improve the conditions back home.

8. Cuban Americans In 1960 there were 79,000 Cuban-Americans? Now there are 1.5 million..Why the increase Mariel Boatlift�3rd Wave immigration Marielitos�people who arrived from Cuba in the third wave of Cuban immigration, most specifically those forcibly deported by way of Mariel Harbor. The term is applied to refugees seen as especially undesirable�this produces stigma within their own community

9. Changes in Policy towards Cuban Immigrants Dry Foot, Wet Foot--- Adopted in 1994 If a Cuban immigrant can reach U.S. LAND, they may stay as political refugees. If they are stopped while at SEA, they are returned to cuba For God Sakes---WHY? Great risks are taken�Many Have Died

10. Central and South Americans Immigration�El Salvador, Columbia, and Guatemala are the top countries of origin. Many have fled political unrest in their homelands�although refugee status in the U.S. if often hard to obtain. Brain Drain�This applies particularly to the countries of Central America as a result of immigration to the U.S. of the best and brightest.