Introduction
California is one of the populated USA states inhabited by large number of different minority groups which for centuries have defined and characterized the state’s; social, cultural, economic, political, and religious environment. The state at same time appears to be increasing in the number of minority groups. By 2010, California had an estimated population of 37,253,956 people (USA Census Bureau, 2011).
This constituted a 10% increase when compared to 2000 population of 33,871,648 people (USA Census Bureau, 2011). Out of this population, Hispanic population (Latinos) make up 37.6% compared to 40.1% of non-Hispanic white population and the rest represent other minority groups in the state (USA Census Bureau, 2011).
Hispanic Americans or popularly known as Latino constitute the fastest growing minority group in the state and it has been estimated that by 2020, the ethnic group will be dominant in California (USA Census Bureau, 2011). Although the Latinos form the largest and growing minority group in the state, the ethnic group is composed of various sub-cultures.
Some of the notable sub-cultures of the group include Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, Central Americans, Puerto Ricans, and many more. On wider scale, the Latinos may exhibit similar socio-cultural and economic aspects, it is likely to find some differences among the sub-cultures, and this may be associated with the diverse geographical and political background.
Therefore, it is necessary to undertake more apt studies that identify similarities and differences between the various sub-cultures of Latinos that may be appropriate for action-based cultural programs and understanding. As a result, the study will focus the study on two sub-cultures of Latino that are Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans Americans.
Mexican Americans
Mexican Americans are part of the larger Latino group, which constitutes various ethnic groups from Latin America. Mexican Americans are largely immigrants from Mexico and they constitute a sizeable and increasing segment of the USA population especially in the state of California (New America Media, 2011). In California, Mexican Americans make up 20% of the population in the state (New America Media, 2011).
During 2010 Population Census, it was established that Mexican Americans in the state had increased by 35% for the last one decade (New America Media, 2011). This has seen the population rise to 11.4 million and this represent 88% growth rate of the population in the state (New America Media, 2011).
Many reasons have been given to the rising rate of Mexican Americans in the state and is largely contributed by; immigration of Mexicans from Mexico coming to USA for economic and social reasons and also the increased birth rates among Mexican/Latino populations in the country.
Looking at the Mexican Americans in the state and larger USA country, one is likely to discover that Mexicans Americans are part of the Latinos who have been victims of economic, social, political disadvantages in the country (New America Media, 2011).
Mexican Americans have a distinct culture orientation that has roots in the Mexican society. According to Garcia (2002), Mexican Americans have attempted to create ‘little Mexicos’ in the USA where they largely inhabit. Accordingly, the continuous flow of Mexican immigrants generally solidifies their efforts to build new American lives that have distinct American culture, traditions and identity (Garcia, 2002).
Mexican Americans are known for their emphasis on ‘enclaves’ which are communities established and its boundaries contain elements of Mexican lifestyles and cultural traditions but which has an American context. Within the enclaves, Mexicans American creates visible sub-institutions that largely provide help in maintaining and fostering elements of Mexican past (Garcia, 2002).
Also within enclaves, Mexican Americans are able to provide help to each other with regard to employment opportunities, business opportunities, entrepreneur skills, and so on. As a result, of establishment of enclaves, Mexican Americans tend to shop or buy largely from shops owned by fellow Mexicans. The shops or buildings are designed and decorated in colorful Mexican murals (Garcia, 2002).
Mexicans in enclaves, wherever they occupy tend to ‘mexicanize’ their lives; from what they buy, eat, dress, associate, play, and so on. For instance, it is possible to find Mexican Americans having calendars that depict traditional scenes drawn from Mexican history.
Religion remains an important aspect in the lives of Mexican Americans. In fact, Mexican Americans associate the happenings in the world to religious beliefs and practices they have held for a long time. The predominant religion majority of Mexican Americans have associated with is the Roman Catholism (Williams, 1990).
Religion is seen to be the expression and entity that stress sacredness and human existence among Mexican Americans. In addition, in attempt to demonstrate their strong religious orientation, Mexican Americans within their homes have altars and other religious symbols displayed visibly (Williams, 1990). Mexican Americans are strong believers in fatalism as part of expression of their religion.
What this means is that Mexican Americans although remain devoted to their religion and often pray, they in large measure interpret many happenings in the world as evidences to indicate the will of God.
Part of fatalism expressed by Mexican Americans has to do with historical struggle the people have had especially to do with economic and social independence. For example, for a long time Mexican Americans have had to struggle hard to make a living and when illness or other misfortune come about, they were likely to exert little control over the situation (Williams, 1990).
Family is an important aspect that Mexican Americans (Chicanos) practice (Williams, 1990). In their understanding of the family, Chicanos practice effective and efficient childcare and child development throughout one’s life cycle. Mothers are the ones who stay with infants for a long time than men who by the fact of being head of family is supposed to work outside for long making a living for the family.
Women in their capacity as housewives are supposed to perform all household chores including childrearing (Williams, 1990). As a result, mothers become the perfect agents of socialization for the children. Moreover, Chicanos families are largely extended in nature with many members who are non-nuclear family members likely to be part of the family. Their roles again play part in the existence and continuity of the family.
With regard to foods, Chicanos largely eat traditional foods that reflect Mexican-American diet rich in variety of foods and dishes (Ohio State University, 2010). The diet is normally a blend of pre-Columbian, indigenous India, Spanish, and French varieties. Moreover, Chicanos consume in large number; local fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and protein sources (Ohio State University, 2010).
The diet is normally balanced with foods such as beans, eggs, fish, pork, and poultry in dominance. Mexican Americans are used to three meals a day, where the breakfast (desayuno) may contains foods such as coffee, sweet rolls, tortillas and beans. Lunch (comida) may comprise soup, meat dish, rice, coffee, and dessert. With regard to supper (Cena), Chicanos prefer light meals largely eaten after 9.00 p.m (Ohio State University, 2010).
Puerto Rica Americans
Puerto Americans are another sub-culture of the main Latinos found in California. Although regarded as minority among the larger Latino group, Puerto American population in the state and larger American nation continue to grow (Taus-Bolstad, 2004).
Unlike other sub-cultures of Latinos, Puerto Americans are regarded to be fully citizens of USA given that the geographical area they occupy seceded to USA after the war (Taus-Bolstad, 2004). Unlike other Latino groups, Puerto Americans exhibit higher levels of economic, social and education attainment although overall comparison statistics place them below the white Americans citizens.
The larger Latino group as was seen exhibit similarities but again it was stated that, with numerous sub-groups from different geographical locations and political orientation, the sub-groups differ in various aspects.
Puerto Rican America diet resembles that of Mexican Americans although it is not spicy as that one of Mexican Americans (Ohio State University, 2010). The cuisine largely prepared by Puerto Rico Americans involves diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as bread, cereals, soda crackers, rice, and corn meal.
In addition, the diet is likely to have calcium elements and milk (Ohio State University, 2010). Meat also forms part of the diet and favorite’s samples include chicken, pork sausage, turkey, beef, spare ribs, and small quantities of fish (Ohio State University, 2010).
Puerto Americans have been found to attach great importance to the institution of family and every member is supposed to respect and uphold the family aspect (Bryan, 2004). Children are taught and socialized to respect their elders and women in the community (Taus-Bolstad, 2004).
Family is considered the first and foremost vital aspects where members are supposed to show commitments to extended family that include uncles, aunts and cousins (Bryan, 2004). As a result, Puerto Americans are likely to be obliged to help members of the extended family in terms of money, property, finding job, education, and all other aspects pertaining to responsibility.
Many Puerto Americans have been socialized in the Spanish speaking language an aspect that majority find hard to eliminate (Bryan, 2004). Spanish therefore, forms the basic language of communication, socialization, and expression among the Puerto Communities.
Nevertheless, since it seceded to USA, English has been taught in schools and today majority of members especially children and teenagers are able to communicate in English as second language (Bryan, 2004). At the same time, dance and music are two aspects that Puerto Rico Americans are identified with (Bryan, 2004). Music and dance are largely performed during parties, festivities, or important occasions.
Many people normally gather for big parties and music becomes the form of entertainment. In addition, music and dance has been expressed in gatherings during important holidays, birthdays, and weddings (Bryan, 2004). With regard to music, Puerto Americans use and demonstrate different styles and forms of the music and dance.
Some of the notable forms include Seis music (country music) and bomba music (African drumming) (Bryan, 2004). One aspect that is normally noted in Puerto Rican American music is that different cultural have been used to bring about the music and dance style a feature that can be attached to Puerto Rico geographic and ethnic composition of people from diverse continents (Bryan, 2004).
In music, people largely express their feelings, heritage, and communicate through music.
Religion is another feature that is important among the Puerto Rico Americans. Many Puerto Americans have demonstrated diversity and freedom of worship but on closer look and analysis, the Catholism values and teachings dominates the population and their religious beliefs (Bryan, 2004). Catholism is combined with other beliefs, which have become predominant among the Puerto Rico Americans.
For instance, some of the dominant beliefs in this community include ‘Santeria’ and ‘Espiritismo’ (Bryan, 2004). Santeria constitute a mixture of Catholic beliefs and rituals from the Yoruba tribes (Bryan, 2004). Yoruba found their way to Puerto Rico as slave immigrants.
On the other hand, Espiritismo constitute a belief in spirits that date back to the native Taino tribes and has become one of the dominating beliefs among the Puerto Americans (Bryan, 2004). Many of these beliefs can be evident among the Puerto Americans in California, where one is likely to find many ‘botanicas’ which are shops that sell charms and herbs in Santeria and Espiritismo rituals (Bryan, 2004).
Similarities between the two sub-tribes can be exhibited in their religion where apart from belonging the main Catholism religion, express their faith in related beliefs. This tends to characterize the life of these sub-cultures in the USA. At the same time, Spanish language and influence seem to be dominant where people between the two sub-cultures express themselves more comfortably in Spanish language.
At the same time, Spanish language and culture to an extend seem to define the life and orientation of these two sub-groups in the way they communicate, interact, perceive world and also socialize and integrate in the mainstream American society. Another similarity is exhibited in the types of foods the two sub-cultures eat which tend to be influenced by Spanish cuisines traditions.
On the other hand, the two sub-cultures are different in terms of their social, economic and education attainment. While majority of Mexican Americans are immigrants (illegal) many Puerto Rico Americans have citizen right due to secede factor, which placed them under USA jurisdiction (Kittler and Sucher, 2007).
As a result, they tend to fare well in terms of education, income, employment, and so on when compared to Mexican Americans who remain largely disadvantaged (National Puerto Rican Coalition Inc., N.d). More so, the two, sub-cultures are different with regard to religion and language acquisition in the foreign land.
While Mexican Americans are likely to retain and advocate for preservation of their native Spanish language, Puerto Rico Americans on the other hand have become faster and quick acceptance of English and are more acquitted in English than Mexican American.
Furthermore, while Mexican Americans are likely to dominate Catholic Religion, Puerto Rico on the other hand have been embracing diversity worship aspects and are likely to embrace other religions more easily than Mexican Americans.
Importance of the study
This cultural diversity study attempted to look and analyze various sub-cultures among the Latinos. Cultural diversity studies are specifically important given the changing American society, which exhibit more ethnic groups and cultures.
Presence of diverse ethnic groups is likely to be accompanied by numerous problems and challenges especially with regard to communication, education, employment, social welfare provision, health, education, and so on. This is particularly likely to be evident when there is lack of genuine and clear understanding regarding different groups of ethnics.
Therefore, this study provide platform for understanding diversity of different cultures and through this it becomes possible to design communication, education, entertainment, and all related programs in line with cultural characteristics of each group. When this happens, then it is likely that cultural diversity will be appreciated and embraced with little likelihood of conflict or differences.
Conclusion
California State just like the American nation is characterized by ‘salad bowl’ of cultures. Different cultures and ethnics today dot different locations of California, a situation that calls for more cultural diversity studies.
Through these studies, it becomes possible to understand and conceptualize key aspects that define a particular ethnic culture. Moreover, with this understanding, it becomes possible to appreciate the different cultural groups in the country while at same time being able to develop programs that resonate well with different cultural groups.
References
Bryan, N. (2004). Puerto Rican Americans. NY: ABDO Publishers. Web.
Garcia, A. M. (2002). The Mexican Americans. CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Kittler, P. G., & Sucher, K. (2007). Food and culture. OH: Cengage Learning. Web.
New America Media. (2011). Census: Mexican population up by 35 per cent in California. La Opinion, News Report, May 12. Web.
Ohio State University. (2010). Cultural Diversity: Eating in America, Mexican-American. Family and Consumer Sciences. Web.
Ohio State University. (2010). Cultural Diversity: Eating in America, Puerto-Rico Americans. Family and Consumer Sciences. Web.
National Puerto Rican Coalition Inc. (N.d). The Puerto Rican Community: From neighbors to citizens. Web.
Taus-Bolstad. (2004). Puerto Ricans in America. NY: Lerner Publications. Web.
USA Census Bureau. (2011). State and County quick facts. Web.
Williams, N. (1990). The Mexican American family: tradition and change. CA: Rowman & Littlefield. Web.