| Welcome to HerndonDavis.com! Home of The Herndon Davis Diversity Reports Educational, Inspirational, Motivational |
With significant media attention focused upon immigration reform against a
backdrop of nationwide protests over undocumented workers; it has forced the
United States to take yet another long hard look at itself and the diversity in
which it is newly immersed in.
Back in 2004, the United States Census Bureau announced that the Hispanic
community now accounted for 14% of the nation’s population with some 41.3
million people. Now the largest minority group in America, the Hispanic
community is also the fastest growing. Between the years 2000-2004, the rate
of their growth was a whopping 17%.
This growth is inclusive of all Hispanic/Latinos across America, however the U.
S. Census Bureau only uses the terminology of Hispanic. The phrasing of
Latino vs. Hispanic has often been a contention of debate for quite some time.
In a September 2005 article by journalist, Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr. titled “Hispanic
Vs. Latino: Why it Matters”, he explained that the term Hispanic traditionally
has been used to represent Spanish-speaking descendents of Spain or to relate
to all things of Spain.
However the word Latino which describes all things Latin is considered to be
more inclusive of countries across Latin America such as Brazil which has a
primary language of Portuguese not to mention French-speaking countries in
the region which also derive their language from Latin.
Whether they choose to identify as Hispanic or Latino, this segment of America’
s population has more than just a rapid growth under its belt. It also has the
potential to politically turn this country in a new direction at a rather rapid pace.
backdrop of nationwide protests over undocumented workers; it has forced the
United States to take yet another long hard look at itself and the diversity in
which it is newly immersed in.
Back in 2004, the United States Census Bureau announced that the Hispanic
community now accounted for 14% of the nation’s population with some 41.3
million people. Now the largest minority group in America, the Hispanic
community is also the fastest growing. Between the years 2000-2004, the rate
of their growth was a whopping 17%.
This growth is inclusive of all Hispanic/Latinos across America, however the U.
S. Census Bureau only uses the terminology of Hispanic. The phrasing of
Latino vs. Hispanic has often been a contention of debate for quite some time.
In a September 2005 article by journalist, Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr. titled “Hispanic
Vs. Latino: Why it Matters”, he explained that the term Hispanic traditionally
has been used to represent Spanish-speaking descendents of Spain or to relate
to all things of Spain.
However the word Latino which describes all things Latin is considered to be
more inclusive of countries across Latin America such as Brazil which has a
primary language of Portuguese not to mention French-speaking countries in
the region which also derive their language from Latin.
Whether they choose to identify as Hispanic or Latino, this segment of America’
s population has more than just a rapid growth under its belt. It also has the
potential to politically turn this country in a new direction at a rather rapid pace.
Website:
Email Vincent:
Approximately 40% of Hispanic/Latinos are foreign born. Of the total American Hispanic/Latino population, nearly 70% are of Mexican origin, 14.3% of
Central and South American descent, 8.% Puerto Rican, 3.7% Cuban, and 4% from other Hispanic origin.
Although valuable diversity lies among these numbers, there is still a more homogenous mix of similar belief system and culture than not. However, Latinos
from across Central and South America and the Caribbean also have been able to build their individual communities in cities and regions across the U.S. as well.
Although the collective buying power of the Hispanic/Latino community is overwhelming at a staggering $652 billion, the educational attainment and poverty
levels are highly discouraging.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 57% of all Hispanics/Latinos ages 25 or older attained a High School degree. Approximately 21.4% live below
poverty, and only 26.3% of Hispanic/Latinos earn greater than $35,000.
Central and South American descent, 8.% Puerto Rican, 3.7% Cuban, and 4% from other Hispanic origin.
Although valuable diversity lies among these numbers, there is still a more homogenous mix of similar belief system and culture than not. However, Latinos
from across Central and South America and the Caribbean also have been able to build their individual communities in cities and regions across the U.S. as well.
Although the collective buying power of the Hispanic/Latino community is overwhelming at a staggering $652 billion, the educational attainment and poverty
levels are highly discouraging.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 57% of all Hispanics/Latinos ages 25 or older attained a High School degree. Approximately 21.4% live below
poverty, and only 26.3% of Hispanic/Latinos earn greater than $35,000.
Although the lack of educational attainment and lower income levels plague the Hispanic/Latino community,
there is also a rising generation beating the odds and living the American dream of success.
They are born in this country and often are several generations removed from their origins. Often they do not
speak Spanish or their native tongue and are able to assimilate faster into the American mainstream.
This is the case of Vincent Vigil, who is a fourth generation Hispanic/Latino of Mexican descent. Vincent is
currently the director of The LGBT Resource Center at the University of Southern California. Only in his mid-
twenties, he’s already earned his bachelor’s, master’s and is well on his way to earning his doctorate.
Yet he feels far removed from his culture primarily because he does not speak the language and knows little
about the culture. He explains that at times this causes conflict with other Hispanic/Latinos.
“I feel there is conflict. A lot of times if you are far removed from the culture, people that are 1st generation
and 2nd generation may look down on you because you have lost those roots in terms of growing up without
the language or the religious base as other Mexican Americans would.
The 1st and 2nd generation may look down on the 3rd and 4th generation but it could be the other way around
too. The 3rd and 4th could look down upon the 1st and 2nd because maybe they prospered more, maybe they
went to college; maybe they’ve gotten an education versus the 1st and 2nd generation. It varies there’s give
and take on both sides.”
Vincent also mentioned that the same thing also occurs for 1st and 2nd generation Hispanic/Latino gay/lesbians
versus the 3rd and 4th generation gays. Because earlier gay generations are tied closer to religion, they are less
reluctant to come out, while latter generations are less tied to religion and thus have fewer problems with
coming out and with internalized homophobia.
Although Vincent is taking full advantage of his education and career he reluctantly considers himself to be a
role model for other Hispanic/Latinos primarily because of his inability to speak Spanish. However, he does
have words of advice to other young Hispanic/Latinos seeking to better their lives.
“It’s all about social capital so its really about who you know, keeping aware of what you become involved
with or work with in order to get ahead.” He cited that while in high school that he “took advantage of trying
to get into the AP classes, honors classes, getting involved with extracurricular activities, getting involved in
outside organizations with the city to immerse myself with different people and learn more and more about my
community and learn more about networking”
He added that when students do this that “the networks and the connections in order to get ahead” will come.
there is also a rising generation beating the odds and living the American dream of success.
They are born in this country and often are several generations removed from their origins. Often they do not
speak Spanish or their native tongue and are able to assimilate faster into the American mainstream.
This is the case of Vincent Vigil, who is a fourth generation Hispanic/Latino of Mexican descent. Vincent is
currently the director of The LGBT Resource Center at the University of Southern California. Only in his mid-
twenties, he’s already earned his bachelor’s, master’s and is well on his way to earning his doctorate.
Yet he feels far removed from his culture primarily because he does not speak the language and knows little
about the culture. He explains that at times this causes conflict with other Hispanic/Latinos.
“I feel there is conflict. A lot of times if you are far removed from the culture, people that are 1st generation
and 2nd generation may look down on you because you have lost those roots in terms of growing up without
the language or the religious base as other Mexican Americans would.
The 1st and 2nd generation may look down on the 3rd and 4th generation but it could be the other way around
too. The 3rd and 4th could look down upon the 1st and 2nd because maybe they prospered more, maybe they
went to college; maybe they’ve gotten an education versus the 1st and 2nd generation. It varies there’s give
and take on both sides.”
Vincent also mentioned that the same thing also occurs for 1st and 2nd generation Hispanic/Latino gay/lesbians
versus the 3rd and 4th generation gays. Because earlier gay generations are tied closer to religion, they are less
reluctant to come out, while latter generations are less tied to religion and thus have fewer problems with
coming out and with internalized homophobia.
Although Vincent is taking full advantage of his education and career he reluctantly considers himself to be a
role model for other Hispanic/Latinos primarily because of his inability to speak Spanish. However, he does
have words of advice to other young Hispanic/Latinos seeking to better their lives.
“It’s all about social capital so its really about who you know, keeping aware of what you become involved
with or work with in order to get ahead.” He cited that while in high school that he “took advantage of trying
to get into the AP classes, honors classes, getting involved with extracurricular activities, getting involved in
outside organizations with the city to immerse myself with different people and learn more and more about my
community and learn more about networking”
He added that when students do this that “the networks and the connections in order to get ahead” will come.
Website:
Email Vincent:
Copyrighted 2006
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of The Herndon Davis Reports. He can be
reached directly at http://herndondavis.com
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of The Herndon Davis Reports. He can be
reached directly at http://herndondavis.com
| Returning in Spring 2006 to: The Dish Network, Channel 223 Time Warner Cable "The Healthy Living Channel" PRIME TIME Every Thursday evening 10pm Eastern, 9pm Central, 8pm Mountain, 7pm Pacific Additional Cable Outlets: Comcast, Adelphia, Charter |
| Empowering The World's Diversity |
Unlike the Black community where most of its population is heavily concentrated in Southern and Northeast states, Hispanics are more heavily concentrated in
Western states.
Even more intriguing is that most states where Hispanic/Latinos are concentrated also happen to be electoral-rich sates that are hotly contested in every
national election.
The influential states of California, Texas, and Florida each have strong concentrations of Hispanic/Latino residents within each individual state population
(34.7%, 34.6%, and 19% respectively).
However, other states such as New Mexico which is 43.3% Hispanic, along with Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New York and Illinois all show strong
concentrations of Hispanic/Latino residents as well.
So what does all of this mean? Well, in certain key states, Hispanic/Latino voters have the potential to change or create a new political course for America in
concert with the sentiments of the rest of the country’s voting population.
Western states.
Even more intriguing is that most states where Hispanic/Latinos are concentrated also happen to be electoral-rich sates that are hotly contested in every
national election.
The influential states of California, Texas, and Florida each have strong concentrations of Hispanic/Latino residents within each individual state population
(34.7%, 34.6%, and 19% respectively).
However, other states such as New Mexico which is 43.3% Hispanic, along with Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New York and Illinois all show strong
concentrations of Hispanic/Latino residents as well.
So what does all of this mean? Well, in certain key states, Hispanic/Latino voters have the potential to change or create a new political course for America in
concert with the sentiments of the rest of the country’s voting population.
The Politics of Hispanic/Latinos
| Hispanic/Latino Residents May Vary But Not By Much |
| The Latino Presence by: Herndon L. Davis |
| |||||||
| |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| Young, Educated and Hispanic/Latino |