Hispanic Americans, also known as Latino Americans are a group of people with diverse characteristics but linked up with a heritage of a universal language. The population of Spanish America stood at 35.5 million as per the 2000 United States consensus with a potential population growth of 60% every year.
Mexican started migrating to the United States in considerable numbers as early as 1850 following the discovery of Gold in Sierra Nevada of California and continued doing so as the economy of the United States continued to improve in the 1920s. As of 2000 US consensus, there was a total of 15 million Mexican Americans residing in the United States with the highest population living in California, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, and New Mexico. Most Mexican Americans mix the Spanish language with the English language through code-switching and the resultant language is referred to as Spanglish. Approximately 76% of Mexican Americans practice the Roman Catholic Faith with the rest embracing the Protestant and Pentecostal religions.
Economically, Mexican Americans have invested in farming business especially in Texas and California. Those who are in employment form the biggest source of cheap labor in factories and as domestic workers. Mexican Americans’ participation in US politics has been very limited as a result of discrimination as they have been considered as “outsiders” or “foreigners” in the United States politics. To protect their interests, Mexicans have formed protective organizations, the most notable pioneer was mutualistic, meaning Mutual aid society, where members pooled their resources together and provided insurances and other grants to each other. Orden Hijos de America interpreted in English as Order of the sons of America was an organization established in 1921 limiting membership to American citizens of Mexico origin to cater to Mexican interests in the United States. Other organizations include the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) aimed at uniting and advocating for the rights of the Spanish Americas.
Most Cuban Americans migrated to the United States for political reasons mostly triggered by the leadership of Fidel Castro, long-serving Cuban president. Recent migrations have been triggered by declining economic conditions in Cuba. 63% of totals Cuban Americans reside in Dade County, Miami, Florida with the rest spread in California, New Jersey, and New York. Cuban Americans speak Spanish as well as fluent English. 75% of Cuban American belongs to Roman Catholic religion and the rest are either protestant or adhere to no religion. The recent past has seen a major conflict between the Cuban Americans and African Americans over control of interests in states where Cuban and African Americans have settled.
Because of the population size of Cuban Americans, they have significant influence in United States politics. 80 % of Cuban Americans are registered voters and are reputed to be conservative, voting for Republican Party in almost all elections. Financially, Cuban Americans are better off than any other Hispanic American group. They are a successful migrant group and very dedicated and excellent in entrepreneurship building reputable industries in the United States. Those who have been employed works in technical, administrative, or sales positions. There are over 3,000 Cuban Americans Medical Doctors in Miami. Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) is a reputable organization with membership limited to Cuban Americans. The organization was formed to safeguard Cuban Interests in Cuba and in the United States.
The Columbian Americans migrated to the United States driven by the economic recession in Columbia. Initially, most settled in New York where those who could afford bought the property in Jackson Heights, Corona, and Rego Park. Currently, there is a sizeable number of Columbians settled in Miami attracted by traditional tolerance offered by other Spanish-speaking Americans like Cubans and the favorable climate for business. Columbian Americans have maintained a distinctive culture choosing to limit their socialization and engagement with the Spanish community only. Most consider their stay in America as temporary as such they are not keen to assimilate to the American culture. Colombians living in America consider themselves are the pioneer of the most elegant Spanish spoken in South America. Most preserve the pure form of Spanish known as Castilian. Most Columbian Americans are Roman Catholics with a small number considering themselves Protestants.
Economically, Colombians have opened up small business catering for Latin Americas in the United States with majority pursuing professional careers as other engage in employment as domestic servants and factory workers. The fact that Columbians do not consider the United States as their permanent home has made Columbians not engage in active politics choosing to take a back seat. A small number participate in lower-level politics like in mayoral election where they back other Spanish Americans in sponsoring and electing candidates of their choice. Columbian have not managed to have a strong organization to take care of their interests in America and those organizations that have attempted to come up have quickly failed.
A closer relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico contributed largely to the migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States. Many have settled in the New York States especially in East Harlem establishing the Spanish Harlem. Chicago, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida are other States where Puerto Rican has settled. The majority practice Roman Catholic faith, with Pure Castilian Spanish as their main Language which they use interchangeably with English. Puerto Ricans enjoy a cordial relationship with Americans of Spanish, Asian, and African origin. Most of them work in service industries with men working in restaurants, auto assembly, and shipping companies.
Politically, Puerto Rican contributes very little to United States politics with very few Puerto Ricans registered as voters. They are no major organizations pushing for the rights and interests of Puerto Ricans in the United States largely because Puerto Rico is considered part of the United States.
Of the four Spanish Groups in American, Cuban Americans stand out as the most dominants groups participating actively in politics and economics. They have managed to consolidate their power in Miami, unlike other groups who don’t have a strong political or economical hold in the United States. The other three groups heavily depend on employment, unlike Cubans who have established a strong industrial base in Florida and other parts of the United States.
Religion and language seem to be the most dominant uniting factors for the four groups. The majority of the people from the four groups practice Roman Catholics and all speak the Spanish language although with varied dialects.
Reference
Donna R.Gabaccia. 2002. Immigration and American Diversity: A Social and Cultural History, United States, Blackwell Publishers.
Nancy A. Denton and Stewan Emory Tolnay. 2000. American Diversity: A Demographic Challenge for the Twenty-First Century, United States, Sunny Publishers.
Nicholas Kanellos, Francisco A. Lomeli and Esteva Fabregat.1993. Handbook of Hispanic Cultures in the United States, New York, Arte Publico Publishers.
Spanish Culture, Web.