Hispanics in the United States have significantly contributed to much of our society’s customs and culture for many centuries. Ranging from politics, public service, military, business, science, organized sports to even the entertainment industry, you can find their mark universally if you take a closer look. It is quite a wonder as to the many historians whom have not acknowledged Hispanics’ impact on history, as they are just as intricate within America’s history as any other race or nationality (Contributions of, 2008). Mexican Americans consist of the most prevalent Hispanic group within the United States. Their history has covered over four centuries within America, contrasting in different regions. In such states as California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada, great amounts of Mexican Americans subsist there. (Mexican Americans, 2007). Mexican Americans, though they live in the United States, generally converse in their own native language. Spanish is usually the solitary language that they use at home amongst family and/or even friends, but in the general community, English is the universally unrestricted language. As the generations have passed on, a new verbal communication has emerged, called Spanglish, which is a blend of both Spanish and American. America has been tough on Mexican Americans. The citizens had a hard time elevating their financial and social status in this country, as they were judged by color of their skin. However, color should not demonstrate a person’s social status, but the content of their character. These people are slowly emerging and breaking social barriers. The Chicano Movement changed Mexican Americans’ lives in the United States’ economy. It was a movement that secured these people in the economy with civil rights and economic opportunity. They used tactics such as civil disobedience as an influential way to make it known that “changes” were inevitable. Marches, hunger strikes, and litigation were methods that they used. On the other hand, the Chicano Movement also sparked a political consciousness in the community—something that had never been experienced before by the community. A significant number of Mexican Americans are Roman Catholic, as it is a central institution within their culture. Their religious beliefs influence their perceptions on an array of areas in their life, including view on sex, education, and politics. The structure of a Mexican American family is one of which originally was “traditional” where the mother was at home and the father went to work. However, this has undergone a drastic change within the last thirty or so years as both parents have begun to be the head of the household.
The Hispanic Civil Rights movement emerged before, during, and after World War II. Before World War II, the United States was in its worst economic downfall in history. It was called the Great Depression; the unemployment rate was at 25 percent. Although, the economic collapse was caused by greed and corruption; Mexicans were blamed on the down turn. It was believed that they took all the jobs that belonged to U.S. born citizens. Two million Mexicans were deported back to Mexico and 1.2 million of them were actually U.S. Citizens. During World War
In the years following the Spanish conquests, the southwest region of the United States developed into Spanish colonial territory. Indians, Spaniards, and blacks occupied this territory in which the shortage of Spanish women led to the miscegenation of these cultures. The result of mixing these races was a homogenization of the people of various cultures that came to be called mestizos and mulattos who, like present day Mexican Americans, inherited two distinct cultures that would make their culture rich, yet somewhat confusi...
The 1960s was a time of very unjust treatment for Mexican Americans, but it was also a time for change. Many were starting to lose hope but as Cesar Chavez once said, “si se puede”. The chicano rights movement was a movement that started after World War II when Mexican Americans decided it was time to take back their rights and fight for equality. With many successes there were also some failures, but that did not stop them from fighting back for what they deserved. Chican@s of all ages in the US faced many issues due to their race in which included, but weren’t limited to, unequal education, political power, and working conditions.
During the 1970’s, Mexican Americans were involved in a large social movement called the "Chicano movement." Corresponding with the great development of the black civil rights movement, Mexican Americans began to take part in a series of different social protests in which they demanded equal rights for themselves. Composed mainly of Mexican American students and youth, these activists focused on maintaining a pride for their culture as well as their ethnicity to fuel their political campaign. Left out of this campaign initially though were Mexican immigrants.
One can only contemplate why US historians have failed to acknowledge Hispanic contributions to the country. What is certain is that this neglect must be changed. Hispanic Americans, especially the youth, are deserve to learn about these significant contributions to the United states. This knowledge could increase their self-esteem and cultural pride.
the civil rights movement dramatically changed the face of the nation and gave a sense of dignity and power to black Americans. Most of all, the millions of Americans who participated in the movement brought about changes that reinforced our nation’s basic constitutional rights for all Americans- black and white, men and women, young and old.
We are Chicanos who will continue to fight for our rights even if it means repeating ourselves through the walk of many cities. Yes, we aren’t perfect and have made huge mistakes that will always be remembered, but being treated better can motivate us to get our lives together and be greater overall. Now, we will stand up heavy with our pride and culture, and demand for those equal rights. We will be loud and share our story to million in order to have some act, amendment passed in our favor. We will have tear-stained cheeks and blistered feet, but we will go to hell and back just to get a taste of that “American
The chicano movement fought to stop the exploitation of Mexican american migrant farm workers, Mexican Americans were taken advantage of by keeping their wages low so that they stay well below poverty level, children whose parents were migrant workers were limited to three years of education at a time, also they were exposed to poisonous pesticides and the harsh sun for long periods at a time leaving them with many medical problems and being unable to pay for treatments.
Child rearing and family structure within the Hispanic culture is noticeably different than what is present in the mainstream Western culture of today. One apparent difference is in gender roles. There exists a vastly different expectation in Hispanic culture for males and females. The male is considered to be the independent breadwinner, and the head of the household. Accordingly, the female role is one of submission and provider of childcare. In contrast, it is more than acceptable in Western culture for a female to maintain a non-traditional role. Hispanic culture additionally differs from Western culture in the traditional makeup of the family. Within Hispanic culture the extended family plays a huge role
Many people immigrate to the United States from different countries to begin a better life. Once in the American territory, the first step for success is to learn the English language. Richard Rodriguez, the writer of "Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood" describes the language decisions he faced as a child: "Outside the house was public society; inside the house was private" (16). The English language is the primary language in the United States, and it must be learned to be able to communicate with the public world. The language that we speak at home is considered to be private because it is only used in the presence of the people we feel comfortable with, our family. Families immigrate to the United States from Mexico to find and give their children a better opportunity to succeed. The children of immigrants who have been raised or born in the United States were able to adapt much faster to the English language. The Spanish language, in the case of Mexicans, is part of our origin that most of us inherit from our ancestors although in the United States many, including me, seem to add a new language, which gives us better opportunities.
Spanish influence is prevalent in every corner of the United States. From music and art, to architecture and food, Spanish influence has become an increasingly popular lifestyle in America. Although these influences have been accepted into the American mainstream, the people that brought them are not. Critics believe that Latin American immigration has become a nuisance to federal aid programs, and the `ever-so-steady' job market. (11) This assumption reiterates the clear ignorance on beha...
After the death of Malcolm X the movement started to get funky. It seemed as though after the assinaition of Malcom X, the revolution’s focal point began to change. The movement began to head towards a more intense, and nitty gritty level. It seemed as though all the non-violent organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Congress of Racial Equality, as well as the Christian Leadership Conference had little hold on what was about to happen to the movement. The death of Malcolm X brought a new direction in the movement.
As long as civilizations have been around, there has always been a group of oppressed people; today the crucial problem facing America happens to be the discrimination and oppression of Mexican immigrants. “Mexican Americans constitute the oldest Hispanic-origin population in the United States.”(57 Falcon) Today the population of Mexican’s in the United States is said to be about 10.9%, that’s about 34 million people according to the US Census Bureau in 2012. With this many people in the United States being of Mexican descent or origin, one would think that discrimination wouldn’t be a problem, however though the issue of Mexican immigrant oppression and discrimination has never been a more prevalent problem in the United States before now. As the need for resolve grows stronger with each movement and march, the examination of why these people are being discriminated against and oppressed becomes more crucial and important. Oppression and Anti-discrimination organizations such as the Freedom Socialist Organization believe that the problem of discrimination began when America conquered Mexican l...
Today, the Hispanic population has grown tremendously over the years. We have watched the Hispanics community growth rate grow faster than any other racial and ethnic group in the nation. The Hispanic culture and community has populated all around the United States, introducing new traditions and customs. I was traveling to different to city in the States, I notice the wide spread growth of Hispanic communities, For Instance in Miami the Cuban and El Salvadoran culture is heavy populate in the area. In New York the Puerto Rican culture is dominating through out the several boroughs. I have come around town and Hispanics are known for their good food, which tends to have more diverse people try new cultural customs. Hispanic or Latino Americans are a group of people made up of distinct characteristics. Hispanics or Latinos are defined as a people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish speaking cultures.
...an-American culture has differences from American. Mexican-Americans are very family-orientated so much that they identify themselves as familial instead of individualized or spiritual as other cultures do. The culture has changed over time and is receiving less opposition from Americans as they have in the past. Immigration demographics can be used to see how America is becoming more homogenous accepting Mexican-Americans and eliminating discrimination because of ethnicity. Selena gave great insight into her culture and created some understanding on the differences between Mexican-American and my culture. Knowing these differences will create a more successful interaction any potential person from a Mexican-American culture and myself.