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Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Americans are comprised of several subgroups including Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and Central Americans. [1] Mexican Americans make up 9% of the US population and predominantly live in the Southwestern US. [2] Puerto Ricans have deep cultural roots related to Puerto Rico and make up nearly 4 million US inhabitants. [3] Cuban Americans form the third largest Hispanic group in the US and have significant populations in Florida and other areas. Central Americans face challenges of illegal immigration status and lack of opportunities. [3]

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278 views6 pages

Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Americans are comprised of several subgroups including Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and Central Americans. [1] Mexican Americans make up 9% of the US population and predominantly live in the Southwestern US. [2] Puerto Ricans have deep cultural roots related to Puerto Rico and make up nearly 4 million US inhabitants. [3] Cuban Americans form the third largest Hispanic group in the US and have significant populations in Florida and other areas. Central Americans face challenges of illegal immigration status and lack of opportunities. [3]

Uploaded by

gantts081906
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Hispanic Americans 1

Hispanic Americans
Hispanic Americans 2

Hispanic Americans are a huge group of people made up of different sub groups.

These subgroups are comprised of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans,

and Central Americans. Mexican Americans are Americans that have Mexican ancestries.

According to Wikipedia, Mexican Americans account for 9% of the country’s population,

which are about 28.3 million Americans. Puerto Ricans are Americans that have a

background from Puerto Rico. They were allowed citizenship to the United States in

1917, where they were able to participate in things such as wars. Cuban Americans are

Americans who are United States citizens who trace his or her "national origin" to Cuba.

According to Wikipedia, “Cuban Americans form the third-largest Hispanic group in the

United States and also the third-largest group of White Hispanics.” (Wikipedia) Central

Americans come from the central geographic region of the Americas. Central American

is defined either as the southern-most portion of North America, which connects with

South America on the southeast, or as a region of the Americas in its own right.

(Wikipedia) All of these groups have deep rich cultures that are very different from the

others; they have a lot of similarities as well. How many ethnic groups do you know that

are as diverse as Hispanic Americans?

Mexican Americans have fought for the same rights as African Americans. They

have been mistreated in all aspects of society. According to Wikipedia, “They are the

largest illegal immigrants. Using data from March 2004, PHC estimated, and they also

form the largest Hispanic or Latino group in the United States and contain the largest

group of White Hispanics.” In terms of where they live, they usual settle in metropolitan

or rural areas in the United States. The highest number of Mexican Americans can be

found in the southwestern part of the United States. When it comes to politics Mexican
Hispanic Americans 3

Americans are treated just like any other minority group. Most Mexican Americans vote

democratic and through out the year’s republican have been trying to persuade them to do

otherwise. Of course republicans were unsuccessful simply because not enough Mexican

Americans vote and those that do know why and who they should vote for.

Puerto Ricans are descendants of the culture related to Puerto Rico. They were

granted United States citizenship in 1917 with the Jones-Shafroth Act. As a direct result

of this new citizenship, many Puerto Ricans were drafted into wars such as World Ward I

and the ones that followed. This culture is a mixture of Native Indians, Spanish, African,

Other Europeans, Asians, Middle Easterners, and North American. As a result of this the

culture is considered more local than any other of the Hispanic cultures. Spanish, African

and Caribbean are responsible for the influences on Puerto Rico. According to the 2000

U.S. Census there were almost four million inhabitants. Eighty percent of Puerto Ricans

described themselves as "white"; 8% as "black"; 12% as "mulatto" and 0.4% as

"American Indian or Alaska Native". This group contributes a lot to the culture of

Hispanic Americans. Everything from food to dance is unique to them and sets them

apart from the rest of the subgroups in the Hispanic American culture.

The Cuban American culture is a mixture of influences, just as the previous

cultures have proven to be. Again, the Cuban American is a United States citizen who

traces his or her "national origin" to Cuba. They form the third-largest Hispanic group in

the United States and also the third-largest group of White Hispanics. According to

Wikipedia, “Many communities throughout the United States have significant Cuban

American populations. However, Miami, Florida stands out as the most prominent Cuban

American community, in part because of its proximity to Cuba.” The Cuban culture is
Hispanic Americans 4

known specifically all around the world for its fantastic music, known as Son. Most

Cubans are Catholic. Religion in the Cuban culture has been scarred because of past

problems religious Cubans being prosecuted and denied jobs, etc. The basic language

spoken in this culture is Spanish. Many Cubans with African descent speak Haitian

Creole, which is the second most spoken language throughout the culture with about

300,000 speakers. Also when Cubans are addressing elders their Spanish is a bit more

formal than the traditional Spanish they use amongst friends. Socially Cubans are known

for their music, as I stated before, and their contributions to sports. Baseball, basketball

and boxing are a few to name which have Cuban contributions. Cuba is constitutionally

defined as a "socialist state. Cuba has been under a dictatorship for a long time and most

recently has that changed. Their leader Fidel Castro ran the country for a long time and

under his rule the country was not allowed to prosper and grow; even with the constant

concerns from other countries willing to help. Castro wanted to have complete control

and that is how things were until he recently died. Now I believe Cuba will take the steps

towards being a democratic society.

Central Americans are made up of many different groups as well. Central

Americans come from the central geographic region of the Americas. Most of them are

recognized by the government as Spanish speaking too. These groups of people have

been, and still are, faced with many challenges often compromising their ability to stay in

the U.S. Most immigrants are here illegally and often times risk having themselves and

their families deported. As a result of this it is often times hard to find work. On the flip

side the native country cannot survive without its most skilled workers who have

migrated to the U.S.


Hispanic Americans 5

All of these groups make an individual proud to be apart of any of these cultures.

They are all very diverse and a comprised of many different origins and backgrounds.

Hispanic Americans have all come from comparable backgrounds and have come to the

United States to reach for the American dream. Each group became a citizen of the

United States in a different way, but are citizens nonetheless. One thing that is duly noted

is that these different cultures and races have much in common with other races such as

African Americans and Indian Americans. Although Hispanic Americans have not been

citizens for a lengthy period of time, they are making a wonderful mark in the United

States history and future. Moreover, Hispanic Americans have and will continue to make

a wonderful chapter in the United States history and future.


Hispanic Americans 6

References

Cuban Americans (2008). Wiki. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_American

Mexican Americans (2008). Wiki. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican-Americans

Puerto Ricans (2008). Wiki. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican

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