Hispanic Culture in United States - Term Paper Example

Introduction America is on record for being a liberal that houses all citizens world over regardless of color race creed or affiliation. The swelling population in America is categorically that of ethnic diversity, perhaps and attribute that has also impacted on the cultural lifestyle. In this paper we look at the four Hispanic groups that live in the United State of America, with a close introspection on the linguistic, political, social, economic, religious, familial conventions and the statues. These four groups include the Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Mexican Americans and the Salvadorians. All the four groups uphold rich cultural identities even if they are clustered in a similar domain on the platform of language popularly referred to as Hispanic Americans. These groups share Spanish language although they have distinct dialects with a phonetically varied composition of similar words that are spelled and pronounced the have having exhibiting different meanings. For instance, sopa means soup in some countries, whereas meaning soap in different countries. Mexican Americans The Mexican American language is composed of both Spanish and English, which has been colloquially branded as Spanglish. On the political perspective the Mexican Americans have been very proactive especially in mooting and championing the Mexican American Civil Rights movement that was enhanced and frontiered by Mendoza V Reies lopez Tijerina. They have been impeccable in agitating for the land grants through the words of Rodolfo 'Corky' Gonzales who derives the implicit behind Chicano through his apocalyptic poem; I am Joaquin, embraces Cesar Chavez and the farm workers. The movement is known as Mendoza, V. "The Mexican American Civil Rights Movement" which advocates for myriad issues across the board. This ranges from enactment of land grants, rights to farm workers, comprehensive education systems and also have been vocal in agitating for the political and voting rights. The social context ingrained in the consciousness of the Mexican American reflects that of all immigrants who migrate to the United States with the great anticipations of the American dream. On the academic circles Mexican Americans don't go beyond high school. Contents through a data that indicate that few Mexican American ever proceed beyond high school. According to Huntington, numbers reported from the National Latino Political Survey, conducted at towards the end of 1980 indicated that only 90 percent of Mexican Americans of any generation don't go beyond high school. The survey also indicates that only four percent of the fourth generation attained the baccalaureate; 40 percent of the entire generation fails to obtain the high diploma, while only 10 percent of the fourth generation went beyond high school. However the Mexican immigrants to American have experienced monumental resistance in trying to gear forth for their absorption from the immigrant status into the mainstream social class. In regard to the discriminatory and poor educational systems that they were offered, the Mexican Americans find it had to get incorporated into the American mainstream lifestyle. Economically, Mexican Americans are getting on fairly in respect to the predominant Mexican American Civil rights movement that they agitated before. However fair competition, substantial wages and holistic benefits remain a dream come true for the Mexican Americans The families in the Mexican American setup are especially centered on the grandparents with a keen attention on the grandmother. They are rather staple when it comes to family. In the traditional aspect Grandmothers have been known in feeding and healing of patients. They also knew stories foods and stuff and even language. American Christmas traditions are copied from their traditions. This includes the traditional Mexican posada, a house to house celebration of song and food that replicates. Puerto Ricans. The Puerto Ricans language is primarily Spanish. According to the research findings the Puerto Ricans began in a political class, this was a constituted the amalgamation of various working political class regardless of the ethnicity. This with time culminated into a socialist movement known as the socialism movement. The original Immigrants to settle in the United States were aggravated by militant political philosophies like nationalism internatiolism and socialism. However many Puerto Ricans were politically inactive and this made most of them not to take part in voting but only held the wishful thinking illusion of wanting to change their lives in America. They have been using their ethnic affiliation to built walls around themselves as an independent entity in America. They also have sought to agitate for socio and economic plight through their ethnic definitions. Togetherness is the biggest bargaining power for the Puerto Ricans socioeconomic and family setups. They have remained as a separate entity far from the mainstream culture and remain their own entity within the U.S. Puerto Ricans values family very important and affirm family interrelationships according to Jones Syracuse, In the America, Puerto Ricans, family and respect are critical issues that are inseparable in their culture. The elderly and mothers are revered. Family duties are essential, and this incorporates the extended family which exhibit strong family bonding. Holiday are evident, wedding and birthdays are also highly practiced. Machismo remains an integral element of society. When it comes to eating, women play a crucial role in decision making in determing and making purchases of foods where traditional meals dominate their menus. Their meals are served when they are all gathered on a common table. Cubans The main language of Cuban Americans is Spanish, according to research findings; Cuban Americans have incorporated parts of the United States culture into their own culture. They have risen to dominate the centers of power in Miami through a ratification of traditional spheres of assimilation and acculturation. The are strongly glued to their motherland an aspect that has seen them incorporate parts of the US into their culture instead of doing vice versa. The Cuban Americans are dominantly religious with an affiliation that leans on the catholic faith. They also have Protestants, Spiritualist, Pagans and also the Jewish Cuban Americans. The strong family bonds are seen as the essence behind their strong inclination on the traditional and cultural heritage. Salvadorians. The Salvadorian speak Spanish as their primary language, they are however economical dwarfs, with great ratios languishing in abject poverty. Their immigration into the united state was mainly the evasion from warfare and poverty. They migrated into the united state to seek for jobs in order to fend for their families They are politically inactive and they also don't take part in politics and as a result they don't vote. Their political dormancy results from the fact that their stay in the USA is suspect and illegitimate. They work so hard just but to send home most of their earnings, which are extremely low. They are poorly paid because of their illegal condition which grants them a poor bargaining power to better their lives in terms of better jobs and better working conditions.Their religion is primarily Catholic; they also are inclined on the Pentecostal side of faith since they habour similar faiths and belief systems. They also come from big family set ups where female children's are secluded and refined in the kitchen and also to take care of the young ones, while boys are the dominant ones in the family in the hierarchy. Their culture is centered on their belief systems and the family setups. Their families endeavor, strictly to bring food on table for their young ones and the family at large. They are so much concern about their families back in their home land to whom they work and take money to support Conclusion The four Hispanic groups discussed above share some similarities; that revolves around family religion language, reasons and not forgetting factor that led to their migration into the United States of America. Issues like search for greener pastures have also been evident in this argument as each culture has been advocating for the betterment of life with the objective to tapping into the worshipped American materialistic prowess. All this four culture have exhibited a keen significance in upholding family values with a close inclination on the belief system. In a nut shell all the four groups share a common language that actually clusters them as Hispanic. References: Alba, R.,(2006) The American Dream & The Mexican Americans: Political Science & Politics Cate M (2004) Becoming American in Miami: Reconsidering Immigration, Race and Ethnic Relations., Syracuse.M (2006) diversity of cultures: Eating habits America Puerto Ricans. Oxford University Press Read More