Latino vs. Hispanic?

Written by Admin on December 8th, 2008

First of all there is a different between Latinos and Hispanics…the first source is always best: definitions.

From the dictionary:
His
?pan?ic

1. Spanish.
2. Latin American: the United States and its Hispanic neighbors.
3. Also, Hispano. Also called Hispanic American. an American citizen or resident of Spanish or Latin-American descent.

Latino is more south american and Hispanic is more central america. puerto rico dominicans etc.
spain is european and r called spaniards. not hispanics not latinos.
reason hispanic came too is because most central americans r a mix of spaniards native americans, whites etc.

Spanish
1. of or pertaining to Spain, its people, or their language.
2. the Spanish people collectively.
3. a Romance language, the language of Spain, standard also in most of Latin America except Brazil. Abbreviation: Sp, Sp.

La?ti?no
a person of Latin-American or Spanish-speaking descent.

The term “Hispanic” is still preferred by most and will continue to gain popularity here in the United States.

Hispanic student numbers surge

Written by Admin on December 4th, 2008

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) — A study says the number of Hispanic students in U.S. public schools doubled from 1990 to 2006 to about 10 million children. 

The Pew Hispanic Center in Washington said Tuesday that the growth spurt accounted for 60 percent of the overall growth rate in public schools enrollment and the trend was likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

“In 2050, there will be more school-age Hispanic children than school-age non-Hispanic white children,” Pew said in a written statement.

Pew cited U.S. Census Bureau data projecting a 166-percent growth rate in the population of Hispanic school-age children while non-Hispanics will increase 4 percent.

Hispanics make up about 20 percent of public school enrollment nationwide. However they make up nearly half of the students in California and more than 40 percent in Florida, Arizona and Texas.

The study also noted that 84 percent of Hispanic students were born in the United States, although 70 percent speak a language other than English at home.

Hispanic Education continues to be an important issue in America, we cannot lose this battle.

Number of Hispanics in public schools almost doubles

Written by Admin on December 1st, 2008

By Traci Shurley

tshurley@star-telegram.com

The number of Hispanic students in U.S. public schools almost doubled between 1990 and 2006, with the ratio of Hispanic students going from one in eight to one in five, according to a study released today.

The Pew Hispanic Center used U.S. Census figures to examine trends in Hispanic student growth. It says Texas is one of four states where the Latino or Hispanic public school population is more than 40 percent of total students.

About 10 million Hispanic students attend public schools, according to researchers.

Researchers also noted that census predictions call for continued growth. By 2050, Hispanic school-age children are expected to outnumber non-Hispanic white school-age children in the United States.

The results included in the report, “One-in-Five and Growing Fast: A profile of Hispanic public school students,” are in line with numbers in some local school districts, especially large districts such as Fort Worth and Arlington.

Hispanic students became the largest student ethnic group in Arlington schools for the first time in 2006, making up 35.7 percent of the student population. In Fort Worth, the percentage of Latino students grew from 28.9 percent in 1990 to 56.8 percent in 2006.

In Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Birdville schools, the change was even greater. Percentages of Hispanic students there tripled from 1990 to 2006, according to Texas Education Agency numbers.

Arlington schools Interim Superintendent Jerry McCullough said increased diversity in schools helps prepare students of all races for life beyond the classroom.

“We live in a very diverse world,” he said. “That’s what they’re going to step into. That’s the advantage of it. Our economy, everything in the nation and the world is very diverse. So, it’s just training.”

The Hispanic student population growth stems in part from a slightly higher fertility rate among Latinos, said Richard Fry, senior research associate for the Pew Hispanic Center. Immigration is the other major factor, he said.

The report focuses mainly on the numbers. But Fry said other research highlights the biggest educational challenge for Hispanic students.

“It’s not that they’re not staying in school. It’s that when you look at the basic achievement indicators … on average Hispanic public school students are well behind their white peers in both math and reading,” Fry said. “They’re behind in elementary school and the gap slightly widens when they get into middle school and it widens slightly further by high school.”

He said several issues contribute to the gap, including that Hispanic students are more likely to come from poor homes than their white counterparts and that they are less likely than whites to have parents who have graduated from high school.

The fact that Hispanic students are often clustered in urban schools also puts them at a disadvantage, Fry said.

The study’s findings weren’t all discouraging. Fry pointed out that, despite some public perception to the contrary, Hispanic public school students are overwhelmingly proficient in English.

Thirty percent said English was the only language spoken in their homes and another 52 percent reported speaking English “very well.”

Other key findings from the report:

 

·  84 percent of Hispanic public school students were born in the United States. 

 

·  69 percent of Hispanic students in public schools are of Mexican origin. Puerto Ricans are the second-largest group, with 9 percent. 

 

·  52 percent of all Hispanic students in the United States live in Texas and California.
Hispanic student populations
A new study examines a near doubling in the number of Hispanic students in public schools from 1990 to 2006. Here’s a look at how the percentage of Hispanic students in some local districts has increased. 

Fort Worth: 28.9 percent (1990-1991) to 56.8 percent (2006-2007)

Arlington: 9.5 percent (1990-1991) to 35.7 percent (2006-2007)

HEB: 6.2 percent (1990-1991) to 21.8 percent (2006-2007)

Birdville: 7.7 percent (1990-1991) to 28.8 percent (2006-2007)

Source: Texas Education Agency


View article…

Hispanic Leaders Hope to Make Change

Written by Admin on November 27th, 2008
By Maurel Merette
Kelly Mestas has seen the name of Louis Esquibel before.“This isn’t the first time that this has been proposed,” said the County Commissioner Precinct 1 candidate who recalled a group of residents proposing to honor the local activist.

During the ’90s, a group of family members and local supporters proposed the then-new Loop 11 be named for Esquibel.

But the proposal failed to pick up widespread support.

So this time around he wants to see numbers.

“I can see how a good idea can be defeated,” he said.

Mestas was one of the few local candidates present Thursday at a meeting of the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The other November hopefuls present were district judge candidate Juanita Pavlick, Wichita County sheriff candidate Tommy Smyth, county commissioner candidate Ray Gonzalez and U.S. Congressional candidate Roger Waun.

Pavlick took the opportunity to express her thanks for the local chapter of LULAC and all of their efforts.

“I appreciate LULAC and all of their work in defense of the rights of every citizen,” she said.

After the candidates’ speeches, Chapter President Johnny Villastrigo asked for the candidates’ support with their cause.

The local LULAC chapter has been working to honor Esquibel since last year, when they supported naming one of two new elementary schools after him.

“He deserves a skyscraper named after him if you asked me,” Villastrigo said.

A Wichita Falls native of Mexican-American descent, Esquibel spent more than 20 years with the Community Action Corporation, where he managed a series of youth programs, job counseling and adult education classes.

Mestas, who is also a member of LULAC, said recognition of local Hispanics is overdue.

“It is important to acknowledge some of the Hispanics in this community, just as the Prothros and the Yeagers,” he said.

Villastrigo also expressed his excitement for the race for County Commissioner Precinct 1.

“No matter the outcome, we’ll get a Hispanic in that office,” he said.

Mestas, who is of Hispanic descent, is facing off against Gonzalez in the November election, which is a first for Wichita County.

Gonzalez, who has served two terms on the Wichita Falls City Council, urged those present to get more involved with local government.

“The biggest impact is when people show up in numbers on particular issues. When they see you it makes a bigger statement,” he said.

Gonzalez also said he supports the Esquibel cause, but there needs to be a good showing when they present a plan to the City Council.

“They keep calling us the sleeping giant, let’s change that,” he said.


View article…

Value of Education Varies Among Ethnic Groups

Written by Admin on November 24th, 2008

According to the new study “How America Pays for College,” only 54 percent of Hispanic parents surveyed said that college is an investment in a child’s future versus 81 percent of Whites and 85 percent of Blacks. Fifteen percent of Hispanic parents said they were willing to stretch financially for the best opportunity for a child versus 50 percent of Whites and 66 percent of Blacks, according to study results, based on a telephone survey conducted last spring by student loan giant Sallie Mae.

 

“One of the things we need to work on for next year’s study is that the number of Hispanics we have are relatively small,” said Dr. Bill Diggins, strategic consultant for Gallup and lead researcher on this survey. “We need to boost that up. There were some differences across race and ethnicity — primarily among Hispanics. Interestingly, Hispanics seem to be much more debt averse than both African-Americans and Whites. They’re paying approximately one-third less in total college costs than Whites and African-Americans.”

 

Overall findings suggest American families place a high value on college education. Three-quarters of the 684 students ages 18-24 interviewed strongly agreed that one of the reasons they are attending college is that they will enjoy a better quality of life. Ninety-four percent of the 720 parents agreed that sending their child to college was an investment in their child’s future. Three quarters of parents and 87 percent of students agreed they would rather borrow to pay for college than not be able to go at all.

 

The survey shows that 58 percent of families reported ruling out schools because of cost at some point during the application process, with 43 percent doing so even before considering a college. The survey also showed that some families might not be fully investigating whether or not a college is affordable and what financial aid options exist before eliminating it from consideration.

 

While nearly nine out of 10 families (89 percent) with annual income below $35,000 filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), this number drops to only 76 percent for families with annual incomes between $35,000 to $50,000 and 73 percent for families in the $50,000 to $100,000 range. Researchers did not inquire why these families did not fill out FAFSA. They noted that earlier this year Congress passed a simplified version, which will take effect for lower income families immediately and over the next five years will be available for everyone.

 

The survey did not separate out single-parent households.

 

The survey also showed 70 percent of students and parents said they did not consider the student’s expected post-graduation income as a factor in their borrowing decisions.

 

This past May, Sallie Mae, which manages nearly $172 billion in education loans, and Gallup conducted a study of 1,404 undergraduates and parents to investigate “How America Pays for College.” The survey, which was conducted as telephone interviews, was really a look back on the past year, not a projection into the future. Researchers say they will utilize this initial data as a baseline for future surveys, which they anticipate conducting annually for the foreseeable future.

 

“Our goal is to foster a national dialogue about how best to help American families maximize the benefits of higher education,” said Tom Joyce, senior vice president of Sallie Mae.

 

“We recently launched the Education Investment Planner, a free online comprehensive tool that enables families to estimate the total cost of a college degree, build a customized plan to pay for college and estimate the salary a graduate would need to keep repayment of student loans manageable,” he added.

 

 “You need a lifetime of planning,” said Joyce. “This is a significant life cost. The old model of how to plan for this probably no longer applies.”

 

The complete survey can be found and downloaded at www.SallieMae.com/howAmericapays.

 

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Source: Diverse education

The White Minority Myth

Written by Admin on November 20th, 2008

So what explains the persistent drumbeat about the impending white minority? A statistical distortion: the exclusion of Hispanic whites. If only non-Hispanic whites are counted, the white population today amounts to 66 percent of the total, and will hit around 46 percent by 2050.

But excluding whites of Hispanic origin from the overall white population makes no more sense than excluding whites of Slavic or Scandinavian origin. “Hispanic” is not a race. It is an ethnic category. As the Census Bureau repeatedly points out, Hispanics can be of any race. In the 2000 census, 48 percent of Hispanics identified themselves as white; Harvard sociologist Orlando Patterson has characterized them as “white in every social sense of this term.” Bottom line: Of the 46.6 million Hispanics in the United States today, at least 22 million are white.

On both right and left, however, there are pressures to treat Hispanics as a distinct racial category. Many on the left covet the political attention and affirmative-action largesse that comes with minority-group status. In some quarters of the right, meanwhile, immigration alarmists warn that Hispanics are overwhelming the nation’s “white” culture, dissolving the bonds of language and patriotism on which American civilization depends.

One of the lessons of US history is that racial categories are anything but meaningful scientific classifications. For generations, “whites” have been hearing that they are about to be engulfed by unassimilable foreign races, and for centuries those “races” have eventually become - white! Benjamin Franklin worried mightily about the threat posed to white American culture by the influx of German immigrants. “Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens,” he demanded in 1751, “who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them?” Those “swarthy” Germans, Franklin was quite sure, “will never adopt our Language or Customs, any more than they can adopt our Complexion.”

A century and a half later, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge witheringly described the Russians, Poles, and Greeks entering the country as “races with which the English-speaking people have never hitherto assimilated, and who are most alien to the great body of the people of the United States.” In the early 20th century, federal immigration officials classified the Irish, Italians, and Jews as separate races. Yet today all these groups are viewed collectively, and benignly, as “white.”

And so, in time, will Hispanics, who give every indication of being just as assimilable as earlier groups. Most third-generation Hispanic Americans, for example, marry non-Hispanics. The overwhelming majority speak English. With a little luck, common sense, and goodwill, it will seem as odd in 2050 to focus on “non-Hispanic whites” as it would today to insist that only “non-German whites” are really white.

Better still, perhaps by then we will have really progressed, and abandoned the pernicious notion of racial categories altogether.

Jeff Jacoby’s e-mail address is jacoby@globe.com.

Source: Boston

How to Connect with Hispanics

Written by Admin on November 17th, 2008

To connect with Hispanics, Address them as young, passionate, family-driven. Why? Because the hispanic population continues to grow. At the growth rate of the U.S. population overall, Hispanic shoppers who tend to pay cash and prepare family meals for home consumption are a coveted segment. Some 45 million U.S. Hispanics already comprise 15% of the nation, and will expand to 52 million by 2013, forecast the U.S. Census Bureau and Nielsen 2008 Universe.

Two-thirds of them are under age 35, and they’re 10 years younger on average than the U.S. populace, so their lifetime spending value makes them a marketer’s dream. Their collective buying power is expected to grow from $900 billion today to $1.3 trillion by 2010, in just two years.

Basic Hispanic Culture

Written by Admin on October 24th, 2008

Losing face happens everyday with Hispanics and people do not know that they make them lose face. On a plane ride from New York City I was riding with Fist Generation Hispanics that were clearly from Mexico. The family was separated but wanted to be together for the flight. My wife and I noticed this and offered to trade seats so the family can do so.

Turns out one of the seats were double booked and they need to tell the Hispanic woman to get up until the problem was handled. The airline attendant was trying to communicate but couldn’t. She started to become frustrated and even raised her voice at the woman. The woman had done nothing wrong but be Mexican and speak only spanish. This to stay the Mexican woman was nervous and humiliated in front of everyone on the plane. It was not the Mexican womans fault that her seat was overbooked, it was an airline glitch and the Mexican woman took the heat. They thought she didn’t know what she was doing and had just sat down in someone elses seat.

The Mexican woman lost face and i’m sure Continental Airlines lost a customer for life. Why? They didn’t know the basic Hispanic culture that you do not yell at Hispanics in public. When you make Hispanics lose face, you lose more from them, you lose all future connections with that individual. When you help them save face, you gain respect and sometimes a friend for life or customer. Always reach your hand out to Hispanics and they’ll repay two fold for being generous and helpful.

English Spanish Speaking Hispanics

Written by Admin on October 21st, 2008
When people see Hispanics people think that they came from Mexico. Some even think that most were born in Mexico and they came to the United States illegally. That is not the case, well not always. Obviously the first generation Hispanics had to come from somewhere and if you live in the southern United States, it is highly likely that they did come from Mexico. But there are so many central American countries that are also represented.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that everyone is from Mexico. Oh and not every Hispanic speaks spanish so not everyone can translate for you. English and Spanish Speaking Hispanics and out there and both speak either or both languages. You will find some Hispanics that are not in tune with the Mexican culture and you will find some that are assimilated in the American culture. Neither is better than the other, they just had different life experiences.

Also more Hispanics are getting educated now that Hispanic Grants keep becoming available and for students all across America.

Hispanic Cultural Workforce Differences

Written by Admin on October 15th, 2008

North Americans in the workforce are distinctly known for being direct and to the point. It often is perceived by the Hispanic culture that the North American in general is rude and uncaring. In a leadership role, it is essential that the leader treats each of his workers as an individual first and foremost. This means using such courtesies as acknowledging everyone in the room. It took many years for me to get used to greeting everyone in an office with a handshake and a good morning as I entered into the Latino work environment and there are Hispanic Cultural Workforce Differences.

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Hispanic Relationships

Written by Admin on October 12th, 2008

Do you know any Hispanics? Do you work with Hispanics?

If you do you will notice that Hispanics are Relational people. There is an unspoken joke that somehow, someway, all Hispanics are related. At times when Hispanics meet new Hispanic people they tend to find something in common with them. My wife’s cousin married my first cousin and though not blood related, i’m related to my wife through the kids of both of our cousins. So Hispanic relationships tend to build faster than most others. That is why immigrants do well when they arrive in the U.S., they just look for another Mexican and hit it off and they help each other out by building Hispanic relationships.  

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Hispanics Treat Customers Like Family

Written by Admin on October 8th, 2008

Hispanics just have a natural inclination to connect more warmly and personably with customers and prospects than the broader range of people. This is why it is crucial for companies to hire Hispanics to be on staff. Hispanics will give certain cultural ideas that will flow naturally. That is why the trend is that Hispanics treat their customers like family.  Businesses need to gain some insight on how Hispanics relate to customers and in return boost sales.  

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What Hairstyle to use for Quinceanera

Written by Admin on October 7th, 2008
A typical gathering, with boys in tuxedos, and...

Image via Wikipedia

A rich part of being a Hispanic women is when you turn the age of fifteen. When a girl turns quince she is starting to become a beautiful woman. The tradition is for Hispanic families to celebrate this time by having a Quinceanera party for the girl turning fifteen.

One of the questions that comes up is what hairstyle to use for Quinceanera parties. The proper thing to do is to look at what others have used, search the internet for picture and styles. There is however a great book for discussion called 25 updos. This ebook has helped many ladies plan their quinceanera hairstyle and their wedding hairstyle as well. The book is probably the price of a meal but the information is well worth more than that. So pitch in with some of your friends because I guarantee you will want to always use this as a source for prom, hot dates and especially your Quinceanera.

Give it a try and thank me later so now start planning what hairstyle to use for Quinceanera.

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First Generation Hispanic Workers

Written by Admin on October 5th, 2008

Hispanic WorkerWhere are First Generation Hispanic workers? Well you will see a lot of them working in the field or outside in the hot sun. Why do they do this kind of labor? Good question, the answer to that is easy.

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Calling Hispanic Voters to Vote

Written by Admin on October 3rd, 2008

Calling Hispanic voters to vote. The first step in voting is to make sure you are registered to vote. Rock the vote has made it super easy to do so on their website http://www.rockthevote.org/. So take a look and help get other Hispanics to go out and voice their opinion at the polls by voting. Hispanic voters will play a huge part in this years election.

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Hispanic Population

Written by Admin on October 2nd, 2008

The Hispanic Population is growing. The US Census Bureau claims that as of July 1, 2006, 44.3 million Hispanics lived in the U.S. That number has grown since then. What is more astonishing is that Hispanics accounted for one-half of the nation’s growth between 2000 and 2006. The Hispanic growth rate (24.3%) was more than three times the growth rate of the total population (6.1%).

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First, Second, Third Generation Hispanic

Written by Admin on September 29th, 2008

I am what people would consider a Third Generation Hispanic or 3rd Generation. The reason I am third generation is because my grandfather was 1st generation Hispanic. He was born in Mexico and he lived and died in Mexico. My father is 2nd generation because he was born in Mexico but now lives in the U.S. in Houston, Texas. Click to continue »

Hispanics shine as entrepreneurs

Written by Admin on September 16th, 2008

ASHEVILLE

- Today is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15. The observance was authorized by Congress in 1968 to celebrate the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central and South America and the Caribbean.

The Citizen-Times will feature stories related to Hispanic heritage throughout the month
Ask Luis Portillo how long he’s been an auto mechanic, and he gives a straightforward answer: “All my life.”

He’s had the dream of owning his own shop about that long, and he’s pretty close now. One of a growing number of local Hispanic entrepreneurs, Portillo, 40, opened TESA, an auto repair shop on Swannanoa River Road, last September. Click to continue »

Hispanic Food Comida

Written by Admin on September 11th, 2008

Comida or Food is important to Hispanic families. Food is a huge part of the culture. Here is America we call it Mexican Food. The main side dishes that you see in the culture is rice and beans. Many people have their own way of cooking such meals but Hispanics really know how to cook them.

Hispanics know how to sort of the beans and cook them to perfection. They also know what to add to the beans to have them taste so good.

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Hispanic Food

Written by Admin on September 8th, 2008

Food is important to Hispanics. In fact a lot of our paychecks go to food. First Generation Hispanics work for the home and for the food, there is no retirement fund, college fund, savings accounts.

You must understand that Hispanics have their own style of foods. Hispanics can have dinner at a Mexican Restaurant and walk away knowing that the cook was of Mexican descent. They just have that vibe about Hispanic food.

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Hispanic Culture

Written by Admin on September 8th, 2008

1st Generation Hispanics are closely in tune with their culture. Whether they are from Mexico or El Salvador, they live in the U.S. but their hearts and their minds are still back home in their native country. That is why in America there are so many languages being spoken. There is also more and more exposure to flags of other countries. The reason behind this is the First Generation mindset of not letting go of the inner culture.

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Hispanic in America Today

Written by Admin on September 6th, 2008

Wow, isn’t is amazing how many Hispanics there are in America today. Just take a look around and you will find them in our schools, workforce, and government. What a great day for America since it is now starting to look like the melting pot that everyone says it is.

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