Hispanic American Diversity

The United States has a very large and diverse population of the Hispanic or Latino Americans that seem to be in the same ethnic group when in fact the group consists of many groups with different origins including Mexican American, Puerto Ricans and Cubans.  People who are originally from South American are also included and referred to as Hispanic here in the United States even though many South Americans have more European or African blood and ancestor then Spanish or Latin.  The languages of each of these Hispanic groups of people are rooted in Latin and Spanish so many commonalities exists that confuse and contribute to the common grouping of all of the individuals in the Hispanic group; as one race and with different origins but common traits in appearance and spoken word that influences people to have mistakenly made the action of placing all Hispanics into one group in U.S. society, media and politics.(Passel, J. and Taylor, P. PEW Hispanic Center.May, 28, 2009).

Approximately two thirds of the Latino population in the United States are referred to and grouped as Mexican Americans whose ethnic heritage and ancestry immigrated to the United stated from Mexico but even they are two or more distinct races because some have Spanish ancestry and others have south native America ancestry from the time before the Americas were divided into different countries.  Many Mexican Americans consider themselves Spanish and not Mexican and vice versa, and there are some who consider themselves neither but Indian or native before the Spanish invasions and influences .  Although they share the same Spanish or Latin languages now due to those long ago influences the use of their modernized country’s language here in the United States depends on how recently they immigrated to the Unites States and where they were educated.   In some parts of this country bilingualism is more accepted then in other areas, especially in states that boarder Mexico. In the early days of Mexican immigration after the boarders were formed Mexican immigrates and those with Mexican parents were put in Mexican educational facilities or segregated much like the Native American was by this government. The Anglo government at the time did not want their children attending school with native peoples. (Schaefer, Richard T.2006).

Today Mexican American’s compile roughly one third of the population of the United States and Mexican Americans have the largest group within the Hispanic population and in recent years their political presence has grown. Recognition and acknowledgment in voting reforms and politics, including bilingual availability has helped Mexican Americans obtain strength in the advancement of Hispanics rights. The economic position of Mexican Americans has significantly increased in recent years as well due to more recognition and minority support or assistance programs and in comparison to Mexicans who remain in their homeland, Mexican Americans do much better economically and socially in the United States.