Life in America for many Hispanic Americans is a struggle from day to day just to survive. Many Hispanic immigrants died trying to obtain the freedom that Americans take for granted each day. Once they reached America, each family faced financial, economic, cultural and educational hardships. Some families were able to rise above the struggles and make a difference for others. Unfortunately, discrimination and prejudice touched each Hispanic family in many ways.
Life in America
Most Mexicans left their country in search of a better life in America. Instead they found cultural differences, which led to many struggles and hardships. Many immigrants were Catholic and had large families as a result of their beliefs. Segregation forced children to attend an established Mexican Schools, due to the language barrier children faced. Many parents found work that barely paid for their general necessities and rent.
Mexican Cultures Flourish
The cultural differences caused the Mexicans to form their own communities (Compean M., 2006). After many Mexican’s gained their American citizenship, they began making a difference for their children and other Mexicans. Many restaurants, stores, churches, and schools began flourishing all through out America. Some Mexican Americans became offended when the Bilingual Act that Congress passed in 1968 (Crawford J., 2006). Although, they didn’t know what the law meant or how it will affect their lives in the distant future. Mexican culture had begun spreading all over America, as people accepting their presence.
Mexican Life Today
Mexican culture is making an impact all over America. Even in Washington’s political arena, there are many opportunities for Mexican American families. Society has accepted their language and religion; however they still have room to grow. (Compean M., 2006) Now companies and politicians are reaching out to the Mexican Americans in their own native language. Their culture and heritage is celebrated in different cities across the United States. Many companies and educational institutions are welcoming bilingual applicants, in order to reach the Mexican-American consumers.
Cuban Americans
Discrimination in the New World
Since the 1700’s, Cubans have been coming to America in search of freedom. They became apart of society, yet they were discriminated against in many ways. They struggled to earn a decent paycheck and meet their family’s daily needs. At first they were segregated from society and discriminated against in many ways. The paychecks they received; made it difficult to afford decent housing, food, and clothing for their families.
Freedom from Oppression
Many Cubans fled to America, so they escape his terror and oppression in their homeland of Cuba. Some even died trying to reach America, after Fidel Castro was named the President in 1959 (Chadwick, I 2006). Cuban-Americans began residing in their own communities, schools, and attending the churches they built. After the 1960’s, Cuban-Americans faced prejudice and discrimination by many Americans. Especially, after President Kennedy begins placing many restrictions on Cuban-Americans from traveling to their homeland (Chadwick, 2006)
Healing America’s Divide
Many Cuban-Americans began celebrating their heritage and cultures openly. Some began pursuing higher education, in order to live the American dream. Some Cuban-Americans have set their sights on serving in a public office and helping others in their community. They are still struggling to fit into America’s diverse society; although they have created their own Cuban-American communities across the United States. Also, successful Cuban entrepreneurs have opened businesses, schools, restaurants, and churches in their communities. Now, many Cuban-Americans have become an important part of the bilingual culture America (Compean, M, 2006).
Search for Freedom
Most Puerto Ricans came to America, with a dream to prospering in the New World. Instead, they found prejudice and discrimination, abundantly flourishing among the Americans in each city they moved to. Some tried to overcome the struggles and provide a decent life for their family. Many failed, due to the low wages they earned, the language barrier, and lack of education. Puerto Ricans dreams were shattered in many ways, as they adapted to life in America.
Reborn in America
After many Puerto Ricans moved to America, the people began building their own communities. Their children attended school and the parents worked hard to obtain their rights and a decent wage. Although, the government enacted the “English Only Policy” (Hsieh, M., 2006); many still used their native languages in their own communities. Some Puerto Ricans decided to build businesses, churches and restaurants that became a successful part of America.
Future of America
Many Puerto-Ricans are still struggling to make ends meet, but they have more opportunities than ever before. Now many bilingual applicants are being sought to help companies overcome the language (NABE, 2006). Even the politicians have decided to allow children to be taught in their native language in schools. Puerto Ricans are using their native language at work, in order to reach more consumers. Their culture is spreading like a wild fire across America, as the Puerto Rican population grows each year.
Central Americans
Adventures to North America
Central Americans began traveling to North America, in search of a better life for them and their family. Most Hispanics believed that life would be better, once they reach the United States mainland. Many adventurers realized that life wasn’t going to be better, so they worked hard and settled in Central American communities that were flourishing in North America. In the 20th century, many Hispanics fled their homes and headed north. They were trying to escape the violence that was holding them hostage, in their own country.
Life under the Northern Sky
Although, they escaped the violence in their own country, they were plagued with violence in North America. Many Hispanics were devout Catholic’s, with large families to support. Most were penniless and unable to find jobs, due to the language barrier. Some people were treated bad or called degrading names. Life in North America wasn’t easy; but, their determination allowed them to find work and a place to live. Eventually, they found a way to survive and feed their families.
Overcoming Hardships
After becoming citizens, most Hispanics endured the discrimination that shaped their lives (O’Connor, T., 2006). Lack of health care and higher education caused many social or financial problems for their families. Babies were born prematurely or lacking nutrition; due to no prenatal care and nutritious food. Many students feel behind in class, until the “No Child left behind” (U.S. Dept. of Ed., 2006) program started and allowed children to receive tutoring, grants, or help in their own language. Some Hispanics found ways to prosper and give back to their community. Many Hispanic people are being elected to serve in public offices; others have their eyes on Capitol Hill or the White House. Conclusion
Discrimination and prejudice plagued each family; no matter which state they decided to settle in. Many Hispanic were searching for a better life in the United States, but they ended up becoming poor and undereducated instead. Most politicians are targeting the Hispanic vote, by implementing programs that will help them succeed. Also, many companies are hiring bilingual speakers for their customer service lines. Although, Life is getting better for Hispanic immigrants, they are still forced to deal with discrimination daily.
References:
Chadwick, Ian (2006) History of Cuban-Americans Relations
Retrieved online on December 15, 2006.
http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/cubahistory.html
Compean, Mario (2006) Historical Overview: Mexican-Americans in the Columbia Basin. Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive Project
Retrieved online on December 16, 2006.
http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/crbeha/ma/ma.html
Crawford, James (2006); Language politics in the USA: The Paradox of Bilingual Language. Retrieved online on December 15, 2006.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JWCRAWFORD/paradox.htm
Hsieh, Ming-Fang (2006); English Only Policy
Retrieved online on December 15, 2006
http://www.indiana.edu/~reading/ieo/bibs/englishonly.tml
National Association of Bilingual Education (2006); NABE’s Official Website.
Retrieved online on December 15, 2006
http://www.nabe.org/
Osorio, Tara-Ivette (2006) Puerto Ricans
Retrieved online on December 16, 2006
http://www.trincoll.edu/~tosorio/puerto.html
O’Connor, Tom (2006) Understanding Discrimination Against Latino/Hispanics Americans.
Retrieved online on December 17, 2006
http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/soc/355lect13.htm
U.S. Department of Education (2006); Office of English Language Acquisitions
Retrieved online on December 15, 2006
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/index.html?src=mr
