The Latino Politics

My lecture will primarily focus on four key issues: Latino politics, culture, experiences in the United States, and, finally, their concerns. This training is important for understanding the profiling of Latino life, self-confidence, and self-efficacy. This presentation aims to accomplish the following objectives: to understand the contributions of Latinos to the United States of America, to advocate for equity, and to reduce incidents of neglect in order to promote self-esteem. All of these efforts try to instill pride in their culture and recognize their achievements to the United States of America.  According to the 2008 census, 46.9 million Latinos lives in the United States of America, the need to advocate for equity and to reduce cases of neglect to boost self-esteem. All these aim at taking pride in their culture and appreciation of their contributions in the United States of America.

Politics

According to the 2008 census, 46.9 million Latinos lives in the United States of America representing 15%of the country’s population with Mexicans ranking the highest with the percentage of 66%. As their population has grown Latinos and specifically Mexicans has become a subject of racial concerns in public rhetoric and politics. In the recent decades with each passing election, Latino political influence has significantly increased. For example, in the 2000 presidential election, both Democratic and Republican candidates made substantive campaigns to Latinos with each candidate depending on the Latinos turnout in particular states (Gutierrez, 77). The explanation of this is that the neglect that existed before is slowly fading away and that Latinos voice in political outcomes matters. The roots of the modern Latino politics dates back to the 19th century when America incorporated the Latinos into politics. The need to integrate the Latin American into American politics has increased pressure on the American community, especially in the early 1960s. In the recent past, the continuing new migration has added more difficulties on the civic organization. However, throughout the 20th century, the Latinos and especially the Mexican America have had to overcome the past of political neglect while actively advocating for incorporation of new migrants in politics.

Although Latinos holds strong opinions on many social issues facing the country, their participation in both local and national politics is minimal. Moreover, they rarely hold leadership roles in civic organizations. Evidence suggests that, Latino immigrants who had leadership roles in their country no longer keep up with such tasks once they get to the United States (Tienda, 70). Thus, for the Latinos to efficiently use the political forum to have a voice in political outcomes, they must raise their rate of civic engagement particularly in voting and advocate for their rights.

Culture

Latinos culture mostly upholds group activities whereby they share most of the community’s responsibilities and accountabilities. Thus most of their emphasis is on collectivity and cooperation which have enabled them to live in harmony not only among themselves but also with the non-Latinos communities. Furthermore, because their cultural practices allow for integration with other ethnic groups, they have played a role in solving social problems in America. To illustrate this, they have been a blend of colors, races, and culture attributed to their readiness to mix. It is, therefore, worthwhile noting that they have made new human relationships, values, lifestyles, and cultural practices. This experience has assisted in solving ethnic barriers that have divided the country for a long time. The current generation of Latino American relationship appears unique with sensitivity to values of both the Latin America and the United States institutions. Hence, these essential qualities have assisted in molding the America we have today with a satisfying relationship based on shared understanding, respect for one another and purpose

Challenges

American Latinos face many challenges. According to the census conducted in 2010, Hispanics are the most prominent growing ethnic group in America constituting sixteen percent of the entire Latino ethnicity group. Altogether, this ethnic group varies in economic, religious and on their social background. However, due to the issue of neglect, the Latinos face a lot of challenges in politics, education, health, and integration with other Americans. For example, although the Latinos live in every state, they tend to be segregated in their settlements. Particularly in the last decade, the segregation between American Latinos and the non-Latinos have decreased in two hundred and forty of two hundred and sixty-five cities (Logan, 200). Also when it comes to voting rights, the Latinos are significantly undermined and especially on holding elected office. For instance, politicians and more so the Republicans have used several tactics such as voter roll purges and voter identity card laws to rob them the of their voting right.

Migrants especially the undocumented ones often face more discrimination in the United States. Although some of the Latinos were born in America, they still face discrimination by their color, cultural practices and financial status and language skills. For example, they face discrimination in employment whereby they face harassment at work, deportation threats and are under-represented in the managerial positions. Moreover, the Latinos are also likely to work on dangerous jobs with low pay and in most cases attempt to seek legal help in cases of abuse is futile. Latinos also face hindrances in accessing equitable healthcare due to low income and culturally incompetent services offered in America (Garcia, & John, 221). Finally, in education, the Latinos are underrepresented during placements and admission to higher education classes. As a result, the Latinos have resulted in attending segregated schools poorly equipped as compared to their white counterpart.

Experiences

As Latinos population continues to grow, their experiences in the US have not been the best with increased racial discrimination. For example, the America’s media have always presented them as a threat to the American culture and economy. In the legal context, they face exclusion from rights and privileges that other Americans enjoy (Cobas, 172). This net effect places the Latinos in a vulnerable position that has continued lowering their socioeconomic hierarchy. Nevertheless, with the current advocacy on equity and Latinos right, there is hope that in future their experience in America will improve. For example, the Latino employment level will rise, and with the Affordable Health Care Act over four million Latinos are likely to afford quality health care. More so, the group will play a significant role in America future and with the aging white population, the Latinos youth are likely to participate in substantial roles including leadership roles.

In conclusion, there are many contributions of the Latinos to the United States that all the Americans should embrace. This acknowledgment will be necessary for not only raising their self-confidence but also the America people will understand their worth and reduce cases of neglect. The recognition will serve to boost their self-esteem and thus the pride in their culture and appreciation of their heritage will tremendously rise. The issue of equity should be advocated for if at all we want to mold new and satisfying relationships between ethnic groups in America.

Works Cited

Espinoza-Herold, Mariella, and Ricardo Gonzalez-Carriedo. Issues in Latino education: Race, school culture, and the politics of academic success. Taylor & Francis, 2017

Garcia, John A. Latino politics in America: Community, culture, and interests. Rowman & Littlefield, 2016.

Gonzalez, Juan. Harvest of empire: A history of Latinos in America. Penguin Group, 2000.

Gutierrez, D. “American Latinos and the Making of the United States: a Theme Study.” National Parks Service (2014).

Ramírez, Ricardo. Mobilizing opportunities: The evolving Latino electorate the future of American politics. University of Virginia Press, 2013.