Hispanic Culture

Hispanic Culture

THESIS STATEMENT

“Racism is largely responsible for poverty among Hispanics and other ethnic groups as well”

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INTRODUCTION

The Hispanic culture is rich with traditions. When a foreigner arrives in Spain, you may notice the Spanish customs very different from their country. The best way to adapt is by watching how they behave and Spanish customs is far different from other customs. This is a custom in many countries, especially in Latin America, after eating lunch; Spanish usually take rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Napping helps them to have a better performance over day, in Spain people sleep late at night and get up very early in the morning. The Spanish like to go out, like going for walks, like to see people and see them. Spanish like to dress well and spend much of their money on it. They do not feel strange when walking on the street and people watching them, is a very common practice.

DISCUSSION

History of Mexican-American

In the United States, most Hispanics trace their lineage to Mexico, followed by Puerto Rico and Cuba. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Mexican-American civil rights movement emerged. During the 1960s, César Estrada Chávez worked as a labor organizer among migrant farm workers in California. Chávez organized Huelga, a 1965 strike directed against California grape growers to raise public awareness of unfair labor practices and poor working conditions in the vineyards. In 1970 the strike was won when the growers granted greater rights and higher wages to the workers (Baum, 1997).

The Chicano movement emerged from the Civil Rights and antiwar movements. Chicano students, especially in California, demanded that their language, culture, and ethnic contributions be recognized in schools. The Chicano movement included groups like the United Mexican Students (UMA) and the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MECHA). In 1970 Jose Angel Gutiérrez established La Raza Unida (Mexican People United), a Mexican-American political party devoted to ending discrimination against Hispanics by gaining access to mainstream American politics and financial institutions. The group advocated bilingual and bicultural education. The efforts of groups in the Chicano movement resulted in the establishment of Mexican-American studies programs in colleges and universities. Activist groups like the Young Lords advocated similar programs for Puerto Ricans. Unlike natives of other Hispanic nations, natives of Puerto Rico are American citizens by virtue of the 1917 Jones Act (Vazquez & Pascual, 2010).

In 1990 Mexicans were the largest Hispanic group, representing 61 percent of the more than 22 million Hispanics; Puerto Ricans accounted for about 12 percent and Cubans made up 5 percent of the Hispanic population. Central Americans represented about 6 percent of Hispanics and South Americans account for nearly 5 percent. In 1990 about half of the Hispanic population had at least a high school diploma and 1 in 11 earned a college degree. This was up from 3 in 10 finishing high school and 1 in 20 completing college in 1970. Broken down by national origin, high school diploma recipients made up about 44 percent of Mexican Americans; 53 percent ...