Hispanic American Diversity

Hispanic American diversity is rich in culture and varies by many differences within the United States' diverse population. In this segment I will identify the linguistic, political, social, economic, religious and familial conventions as well as statuses of four Hispanic groups living in the United States. I will cover Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and Salvadoran Americans.

Mexican Americans have a distinctive additive to the diversity of the United States. Mexican immigrants from Mexico have made an impact in cultural diversification to this country since it is one of the largest Hispanic groups that are in the U.S. Due to the growth of the Mexican American population in the states the U.S. government mandated that all schools in the nation create bilingual programs in the late 1960's. Today, there have been many issues regarding the transition of the Spanish and English language barriers in education. Some believe that it is okay to teach children in their native language while transitioning them into the English language and others do not. In the early years of Mexican American growth and recognition, Mexican Americans were restricted by bigotry. Today, Mexican Americans can be seen in high offices of political stature as for example congress and or Chief Justice of the United States. Socially, Mexican Americans were involved in movements such as the United Farm Workers association; thus far bringing their communities together and advancing socially with other minorities to help shape a better America. Mexican Americans were a major part of stimulating the United States economy because in their migration to the United States they did most of the jobs that others did not want to do. Agriculture was one of the main labors that Mexican Americans provided. Mexican Americans are very religious people and believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Mainly, Mexican Americans are Catholic but a good percentage of them remain as Pentecostal. Familial ties remain strong today as they were back then; Mexican Americans ban together to help each other out with any form of necessities.

The Puerto Rican culture spans largely along the entire east coast of the United States. Linguistically speaking Puerto Rican Americans are amongst the same language as Mexican Americans with slight differences. In the United States Puerto Rican Americans also face linguistic hardship because the school districts state that it cost too much money to implement such programs. Linguistic programs are a subject that will continue to be one the nation's top issues to be dealt with. Socially, Puerto Rican Americans have been in the spotlight for their home country called Puerto Rico (rich port). Today, Puerto Rican Americans are well known for their great political affiliations. Economically, Puerto Rican Americans are the poorest and economically inconvenienced Hispanic groups thus far. Poverty has inertly impacted Puerto Rican Americans because of their status in the United States of America. Puerto Rican Americans are one of the smallest Hispanic ethnic groups in the U.S. Religiously, Puerto Rican Americans are strict in their beliefs and believe that the world is surrounded by spirits. Puerto Ricans used to have a strong familial bond with others but coming into the American way of life changed all of that. New Puerto Rican generations have slowed down the practice of brotherhood within their culture.

Cuban Americans are one of the most popular Hispanic groups in the Florida region. The mainly spoken language amongst Cuban Americans is Spanish in addition to the domination of the Hispanic group. Cuban Americans shares little political workings with the United States since they have been completely locked out of a democratic standpoint. Recently, Cuba has regained free trade with the United States of America and will continue to progress in strong relationships to come. Socially, Cuban Americans have managed to establish themselves in the United States and dominate almost an entire state allowing them to have a large voice in communities. Cuban Americans share more wealth than other Hispanic groups because more Cuban Americans tend to attend college as opposed to other Hispanic groups according to Sean Buffington, writer. Cuban Americans claim Catholicism as their religious belief but many do not claim any religion at all due to the socialist beliefs that Fidel Castro had inflicted in their lives. Cuban Americans dominate the eastern coast of the United States and hold much political statuses within the Florida government.

Salvadorian Americans come from the South American part of the world and many have claimed the United States as their home. Bilingual education programs have assisted in the education of Salvadoran Americans for many years. Salvadoran Americans have been categorized as a Hispanic ethnic group in the United States of America. Salvadoran Americans speak Spanish, the parents of those children who immigrated into the United States found it difficult to transition into American life. The Salvadoran children learn English quick and often tend to translate for their parents wherever they go. The Salvadoran country has a very unstable political entity which in turn influenced the immigration of many Salvadoran natives to the United States. Today, Salvadoran Americans keep their connections with family and relatives back in El Salvador as well as assist each other with American living. Salvadoran Americans have withstood a tremendous loss of economic stability back home and therefore, have searched for new life in America. Religiously, Salvadoran Americans have kept close connections with their religious beliefs in Catholicism. In a sense Catholicism is a way of life for most Salvadoran Americans but others are of other religious faiths. In El Salvador, one may find Jewish, Baptist, Mormons and many more according to Jeremy Mumford, writer.

Altogether, these four Hispanic groups share some common practices such as the Spanish speaking language and religious belief. In the formative years of the United States configuration these Hispanic groups were not part of American politics. Today, we can see a change every day in one area or other because Hispanic Americans are being educated and transitioned into the American culture. Today, there are many Hispanic American military generals, doctors, politicians and activists which are some of the main voices for the Hispanic world in the United States. These four distinctive Hispanic groups share much together but they also share different backgrounds of wealth, socially established presence and beliefs. It is my thought that not all of these four Hispanic groups are the same.

References

Englekirk, A; Marin, M. (2008). Mexican Americans. Retrieved August 02, 2009, from

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Mexican-Americans.html

Green, D. (2008). Puerto Rican Americans. Retrieved August 02, 2009, from

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Puerto-Rican-Americans.html

Buffington, S. (2008). Cuban Americans. Retrieved August 02, 2009, from

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Bu-Dr/Cuban-Americans.html

Mumford, J. (2008). Salvadoran Americans. Retrieved August 02, 2009, from

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Salvadoran-American.html