Cultural diversity and its significance in global contexts

¶ … Hispanic-Americans. Specifically it will discuss Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and Central Americans. Hispanics or Latinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in America today, and their presence sparks controversy and hope.

First, Mexican-Americans are the largest Hispanic group in the United States, and although their main strongholds are in California and the Southwest, their presence is felt throughout the country. They speak Spanish, and a large majority report speaking Spanish at home, while using English at work and school. Politically, Hispanics are gaining ground in many areas of the country, serving as governors, state legislators, mayors, and becoming more active politically. It is still difficult for Hispanics to gain a major presence in politics, however, because many are ineligible to vote because they are either illegal immigrants or not citizens of the country. Socially, most Mexican-Americans tend to continue close ties with their homeland, and stay focused in largely Latino neighborhoods and locations. However, the disapproval of much of white society keeps Mexican-Americans isolated and segregated as well, leading to a division socially and economically between many whites and Mexican-Americans. On author notes how Americans view Latinos and their love of homeland. He writes, "For, in their view, if Latinos still retained some sense of emotional commitment to Mexico or other home countries, this might interfere with their loyalties to America" (Hayes-Bautista, 2004, p. 151). Socially, Mexican-Americans seem to live on the edge of both worlds, something white Americans do not seem to understand.

Economically, Mexican-Americans have a great influence on both their homeland of Mexico and their chosen country, the United States. Many send home money to their families in Mexico, helping the Mexican economy, while they fill many blue-collar jobs here that many American would not consider. Religiously, most Mexican-Americans are Catholic, and they continue their beliefs in the United States, supporting Catholic churches and following their belief systems when they immigrate. Mexican-Americans have close family relationships, and often, they bring many family members to the United States as they become more successful. They tend to have large family units, and they tend to remain close throughout their lifetimes - often several family members will reside together in the same house, or nearby.

Puerto Ricans tend to immigrate to the eastern United States (most specifically New York), and they are the second largest group of Hispanics in the nation. They tend to speak Puerto Rican Spanish in the home and English at work and school, like other Hispanic groups, and they may blend this into a form of "Spanglish" that blends the two languages. The largest contingent of Puerto Rican Americans lives in New York City. Politically, Puerto Ricans tend to have a lower voter turnout than most other Hispanic groups, and they tend to be more poverty-stricken for longer periods than other Hispanic groups. However, if they are motivated, they can influence local New York politics quite heavily, and have done so in the past (Lassiter, 1998, p. 178). They are primarily Catholic, and continue that belief system in this country. Family is extremely important to Puerto Rican Americans, they have strong kinship ties and like to remain in as close contact as possible. This includes close relationships with godparents, grandparents, and other extended family members. The nuclear family is extremely important, and the family is patriarchal, and traditionally women have stayed home with the children and been less educated, but immigration is changing that tradition and making women more educated and independent.

Cuban Americans have had a long history in the country, and they are congregated most heavily in Florida, especially the Miami area. They are the third largest Hispanic group in the country, and they have come to this country through significant immigration waves. Linguistically, they speak Cuban Spanish in the home, and learn English for work and school, and many gradually learn English in the home, as well. Politically, they are an extremely strong force in Florida politics, and they have gained the sympathy of many other Americans because of the strong anti-Cuban (i.e. Castro) sentiment in the country. Socially, many early Cuban American immigrants have assimilated into the country. They have higher college education rates than other Hispanics, and they have moved up the ladder to own businesses and join the middle class in many areas. Economically, they have a higher median family income than other Hispanic groups, they contribute to the American economy, (since most cannot send money back to Cuba), and they have transformed Miami into what some call "little Cuba." Cubans are also primarily Catholic and continue their beliefs after they immigrate, and they tend to maintain close family relationships with extended family members in close proximity, like other Hispanic groups. What is different is that there can be decided differences between early Cuban immigrants and the most recent Cuban immigrants, and so the group is not joined harmoniously in all their beliefs and support.