The Cultural Impact of Hispanics in Tennessee: Latino 101By Dr. Loida C. Velázquez

Goal: To inform workshop participants about this ethnic group culture, values, and customs in order to create a safe and respectful space for their interactions.

Agenda

The Latinization of the South

The Latino Sociological and Legal Profile

The Latino impact on the region

Recommendations for Cultural Sensitive Relationships

2006 Census Update

42,700,000 or 14% of total population 58.5% Mexicans 9.6% Puerto Ricans 3.5% Cubans 4.8% Central Americans 3.8% South American

60% born in the USA

2050 Projection: 102.6 millions

The Latinization of the South

Latino Growth in the South

Limits of census information

Top Counties: 4 are in North Carolina; 3 are in Georgia: 2 are in Arkansas

Latinos in Tennessee 2000 census: 125,000An increase of 278% from the 1990 census. From 2000-2005 it has increased 40%

Knox county Latino population reached 1.5% of the total population in 2006. The African American population decreased to 0.8

East Tennessee

3 Waves of immigration:

1960-80 Professionals 1995-2000 Laborers 2003-Present Bilingual Professionals

Who is a Latino?

Not a homogeneous group: people from 23 countries and 3 continents

Not a race but an ethnic group

Aspects shared: history of colonization and language of the colonizer

4 major areas of immigration: Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean

America or the United States?

Un canto de amistadDe buena vecindadUnidos nos tendrá eternamentePor nuestra libertadPor nuestra lealtad Debemos de vivir gloriosamente Un símbolo de pazAnuncia el porvenirDe todo el continente AmericanoFuerza de optimismoFuerza de hermandad Será este canto de Buena voluntad 

Argentina, Brasil y BoliviaColombia, Chile y EcuadorUruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela Guatemala y El SalvadorCosta Rica, Haití y NicaraguaHonduras y PanamáNorteamérica, México y PerúPuerto Rico, Cuba y Canadá Son hermanos soberanos de la libertadSon hermanos soberanos de la libertad.

La Canción de las Américas  

www.musicaperuana.com/espanol/cancion.htm

What Should We Call Them?

 

Historical origins:

Latinos? Hispanics Chicanos? Illegal immigrants?

HHM: Celebrating our contributions in Sciences Dr. Ellen Ochoa –first hispanic female astronaut Dr. Mario Molina –received a Nobel prize in

chemistry Sid Gutierrez –a NASA astronaut piloted Space

Shuttle Columbia Dr. Tamara Ulibarry –investigating the effects

of materials aging on mechanical properties Doris Sandoval –site engineer for the

construction of a uranium mill-tailing repository cell

Richard G. Castro –world expert in the plasma spraying of beryllium alloys

Sociological Strengths of the Latino Family

Collectivism Simpatia Familismo Fatalismo Dealing with

authority figures

Personal Space Time Orientation Gender Roles Religion Sense of Respect

Some Differences Among Latinos

Nationalism Regionalism Localism Indigenous Languages

How Do They Get Here?

Naturalized Citizen Legal Permanent Resident Refugee/Political Asylum Temporary Protected Status Aliens who are spouse or children of American

Citizens or LPR H2A Workers Student or Visitor visa Undocumented

Profile of the Average Latino Immigrant

Traditional Limited English Limited knowledge of

culture and customs Multiple problems:

housing, food, health, home sickness, schooling for children

Desperate for a job Large family back

home expecting support

Acculturated Better education level Speaks fluent English More community

involvement Better jobs Acquiring dominant

culture values Giving up language

and values of culture of origin

Assimilation

A process of giving up the values and customs of the culture of origin and adopting values and

customs of the dominant culture.Why is slower for Latinos?

Proximity of country of origin Means of communication The global village The immigration waves were larger than other groups

The acceptance of the local culture of symbols, language and cultural products.

   

Most Euro-American & Highly Acculturated Latinos

Nature to be used and controlled for man’s needs.

 

Individual achievement.

Nuclear family.

Limited expression of feelings and emotions.

 

Religion separate & apart from culture. 

Dualistic linear thinking. 

Time is specific. 

Task orientation. 

Learn best thorough description

Accepts the viewpoint of similar cultures.

 

 

Latinos & Most Ethnic Minorities

Nature as an equal and integral part of man’s existence.

Group achievement.

Extended kinship family.

Open expression of feelings and emotions.

Religion permeates the culture

Holistic non-linear thinking.

Time is relative.

Relationship orientation.

Learn best by doing.

Accepts the viewpoint of different cultures.

Cultural Orientations

Impact of the rapid demographic changes on the local community

Inadequacy of the current infrastructure in serving a large number of newcomers with specific challenges:

DRIVERS LICENCE/INSURANCE IMMIGRATION STATUS LANGUAGE BARRIERS

Benefits to the local region

Rejuvenation of dying communities A steady and reliable workforce Bilingual and tri-lingual workers Open-minded organizations who are

helping to built the proper infrastructure to meet the needs of all residents

New organization in the region Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of East

Tennessee El Centro Hispano HOLA: Hora Latina Hispanic Catholic Ministries Tennessee Immigrants and Refugees Rights

Coalition Alianza del Pueblo Leadership Plenty Project

Recommendations for Improved Relationships Make first impression memorable: Become familiar with Latino

history and culture Learn some words in Spanish, it impresses us!

Become familiar with Latino issues: Immigration reform, the passing of the Dream Act, home ownership opportunities/predator lenders, drivers regulations. The most pressing one is the education of children of new immigrants; the preparation of future mathematicians and scientists. Be a mentor and an advocate!

Recognize that the future USA citizens will not look like you or me! It will be Loren Velazquez, it will be Harley Diamond, it will be Jonathan Sumpter, it will be Tiki Duquella, it will be Rudy Marquez.

Become involved in making our state and our region a welcoming one, a place that appreciates and values its diversity.