How is your relationship with the Latin community?

By Maibort Petit

How is your relationship with the Latin community?". This is a line from the movie, Maid in Manhattan. The spokesperson, a gringo answer this question," It's excellent, he speaks Latin, I mean Spanish".

I am from Venezuela and often wonder about the attitude taught in the United States. Venezuela is a country in South America. I now live in the United States. I became a citizen a few years ago and my neighbors congratulated me on becomes an 'American'.

What was I before? Was I not an American? I always saw myself as an American but in this country I am considered a Latin or Hispanic?

 As my Colombian friend told me, Americans calling the U.S. “America” is jingoistic, even imperialist—as if the U.S. owns the whole continent.

But the truth is the term being used in the United States is done with any thought. It was first used in the inaugural speech by John Adams, our second president. We were hardly a country back then and definitely not a super power.

It's strange but all Americans live on the same continent but I will always be an Latina. Being Latin is not a race but the area that I was born. Yet, my good friend who was born in Poland and my friend from Canada are not distinguished in name by their country. When they became citizens, they were called American, fully accepted. Go figure!

Hispanic Heritage Month

By Maibort Petit

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
According to a Census taken in 2010, 50.5 million people or 16% of the population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase from 2000, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population. Presently, it is believed that one out of every five children born in the USA is of hispanic descent. 
It is impossible to run a business without taking into account the hispanic culture and appealing to therm as a buying force. Politically, it is now believed that neither party can win an election without getting the hispanic vote. In the next few years, it is projected that the hispanic population in the USA will double in size. 

The hispanic influence in USA

By Maibort Petit

The Hispanic population in the USA has become so significant. For any business that wants to grow nationally in our country, it is advisable for them to go after the Latin community. 

Coca Cola is the largest beverage company on the world and they recognize this. For Hispanic Heritage Month, Coca Cola has come out with a film called The “Orgulloso De Ser”. This film evokes the power of family, culture and Hispanic community by bringing people together in celebration of their heritage and unique family stories.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame have installed a permanent 'viva baseball' exhibit that recognizes Hispanic influence on baseball. Presently American baseball is comprised of over 28% Hispanic.
In all areas in life in the USA, Hispanic influence has been becoming more of a fabric of our culture. Our concept of beauty has changed due to the Latin influence. Our music has changed. TV and cable has been influenced as now Univision is one of the most influential  networks.
Now that we are heading into a presidential election, the Hispanic vote and their influence on our country with both documented and undocumented families are the major debate issue of the campaign.