Latino Matters

New Study Undermines Nativist Canard that New Immigrants Refuse to Assimilate

2008-05-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

A new study by the Manhattan Institute undermines the nativist canard that recent immigrants are resistant to assimilation. Nativists have long ranted that the current crop of immigrants, especially Latin Americans, are not assimilating as fast as previous generations of immigrants. The Report, by Jacob Vigdor, Associate Professor of Public Policy Studies and Economics at Duke University, demonstrates that the latest wave of immigrants is actually assimilating at a faster rate than previous generations of immigrants. When you factor in legal status, Latin Americans assimilate at rate equal to or higher than Asian immigrants. Nativists have long held that Latin Americans held on to their language and culture and resisted efforts to assimilate. The Manhattan Institute report decisively puts an end to this nativist canard.

As reported in the Washington Post on May 13, 2008:

Immigrants of the past quarter-century have been assimilating in the United States at a notably faster rate than did previous generations, according to a study released today. …

The study, sponsored by the Manhattan Institute, a New York think tank, used census and other data to devise an assimilation index to measure the degree of similarity between the United States' foreign-born and native-born populations. These included civic factors, such as rates of U.S. citizenship and service in the military; economic factors, such as earnings and rates of homeownership; and cultural factors, such as English ability and degree of intermarriage with U.S. citizens. The higher the number on a 100-point index, the more an immigrant resembled a U.S. citizen.

In general, the longer an immigrant lives in the United States, the more characteristics of native citizens he or she tends to take on, said Jacob L. Vigdor, a professor at Duke University and author of the study. During periods of intense immigration, such as from 1870 to 1920, or during the immigration wave that began in the 1970s, new arrivals tend to drag down the average assimilation index of the foreign-born population as a whole.

The report found, however, that the speed with which new arrivals take on native-born traits has increased since the 1990s. As a result, even though the foreign population doubled during that period, the newcomers did not drive down the overall assimilation index of the foreign-born population. Instead, it held relatively steady from 1990 to 2006.

"This is something unprecedented in U.S. history," Vigdor said. "It shows that the nation's capacity to assimilate new immigrants is strong."

The study points out that even factoring in previous waves of immigration from English-speaking countries, today’s assimilation index is much higher than previous periods of high immigration. Of note, is the finding that the more opportunities an immigrant is given – jobs, legal rights, legalization – the faster he or she will assimilate. Contrary, to nativist cant, the solution to the immigration problem is not to create barriers but to open up avenues for integration into the larger society.

Why is the Congressional Latino Leadership so Mediocre?

2008-05-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Quick! Name a single member of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus. Better still, name a single piece of legislation put forward by any member of this group. What more likely comes to mind is the recent piece on the Comedy Channel’s Colbert Report where Steven Colbert makes light of Hispanic Representative Joe Baca allegedly calling fellow California Representative, Loretta Sanchez a “whore.” Baca denied the charge but it did not stem the fury of Rep. Loretta Sanchez and her sister and fellow Representative, Linda Sanchez. The most damning thing about the incident is that such a charge would even be taken seriously by the public. But apparently it was. So much so that Baca felt that he needed to issue a denial.

Of more pressing concern is the charge that Joe Baca improperly funneled Hispanic Caucus money to the state legislature campaigns of his two sons. This incident caused a split in the Caucus in February of 2006. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., and Democratic Reps. Dennis Cardoza of California, Jim Costa of California, Raul M. Grijalva of Arizona and Hilda L. Solis of California withdrew from the group's political action committee after Baca authorized political contributions to his family members.

Subsequently, following the election of Joe Baca to the chairmanship of the Hispanic Caucus, the Sanchez sisters protested that the vote had been improper and that balloting should have been done by secret ballot. Both sisters then broke off all ties to the Hispanic Caucus. Baca has characterized the dispute as “personal.”

As a Latino, it is hard for me not to get disheartened by such self-defeating antics. When Representative Loretta Sanchez, defeated the Republican nutwing, Bob Dornan, many had hopes that she would usher in a new generation of Latino leaders. She was young, smart and politically savvy. Although she has generally voted with the party, she has rarely been the leading voice in Congress that many Hispanics had hoped she would be.

More perplexing is the presence of five Hispanic congressional representatives in the conservative, 37-member, “Blue Dog Coalition.” The Blue Dog coalition describes itself as conservative democrats who wish to inject a conservative or “moderate” point of view in Congress. The Blue Dog coalition not only opposes most legislation of concern to the Latino community but includes nativists such as Heath Schuler, who has made common cause with former Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo in pushing anti-immigrant (and anti-Latino) legislation. Whatever leverage these Latino members may have gained from their membership in the Blue Dog Coalition, it has been lost by their legitimization of the most right-wing elements of the coalition. The Hispanic representatives’ membership in the Blue Dog Coalition indicates clearly that these representatives do not have the interests of the Latino community foremost in mind.

So why are the few Latino members of Congress such a mediocre representation of the community? There are clearly many bright, articulate, young Latinos out there: Latinos who would surely measure up to the Congressional Black Caucus’s shining member, Barack Obama. I believe the problem is a generational disconnect. The current leadership matured as the pioneer generation of Latino representatives to Congress. They thrive on the politics of personality and as such engage in petty politics. Whatever grand vision they may have for Hispanics, it is completely lost on Hispanics themselves.

Finally, Hispanic members of Congress have few established, ethnically-based institutions – such as blacks have in the NAACP – to ground them. Old line organizations such as the League of United Latin American Citizens are largely made up of veterans from World War II and are more animated by the struggle to achieve parity for Hispanic veterans than they are by issues like immigration. In any case, these are not people who rattle cages.

There are further reasons for the lack of visionary Latino leadership but this discussion will be continued. Unfortunately, this group of leaders will do little to uplift the Hispanic community. Please post a comment if you agree or disagree.

Latinos: Some Observations and Points of Discussion

2008-02-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

What follows are a series of observations that we hope to expand on in subsequent postings. If anyone wishes to contribute please contact us with your thoughts.

*Latino voters are not a monolithic voting bloc.

*Republican nativists have alienated a generation of Latino voters.

*Latinos are not anti-Black as they have shown by backing prominent African-American politicians.

*Recent anti-immigrant and anti-Latino laws have politicized Latinos and moved them to the left.

*At least 15% to a third of Latinos are evangelical Christians who mostly reflect the views of the evangelical right.

*Although this varies considerably, the majority of Latinos get their information from English-language sources.

*A significant portion – about 40% -- get their information from Spanish language sources.

*Younger Latinos are more likely to be attuned to the same channels as non-Latino youths.

*Latino voters are animated by the same concerns as other voters but are keenly sensitive to immigration issues and nativist movements.

*Although Latinos tend to be more socially conservative they are more politically liberal on economic issues.

*There is a profound disconnect between Hispanics and their political leaders.

Latino Political Blogs

2008-01-22T18:44:00.000-08:00

General Latino Websites

2008-01-22T18:10:00.000-08:00

Websites

AfroCubaWeb
Very full listing of news items and current events relevant to Afro-Cuban issues of all kinds, with a focus on the arts, music, religion, literature, and folklore. Includes information on research trips to Cuba, visiting Cuban scholars, workshops, conferences, and festivals. In English; includes search engine.

Andanzas al Web Latino
Annotated and well-organized long list of predominantly Mexican American Internet and Web resources, by librarian Molly Molloy. Includes some evaluative comments, and useful list of newsgroups and discussion lists. In English (bilingual main menu only); no search engine. Increasingly includes Latin American items, making it a bit more difficult to locate specifically US Latino materials.

Biografías y vidas
This new website provides biographical information in Spanish on thousands of individuals worldwide, ranging from Aristotle to David Beckham. Good coverage of people from the Spanish-speaking world, including the US. Includes illustrations.

CANFNet (Cuban American National Foundation Net)
CANF is the largest Cuban American organization in the United States; this Web site functions as a clearinghouse for CANF publications, editorials, articles, news and opinions, some of which are available in PDF format and streaming audio. Parallel sites in English or in Spanish; no search engine. Updated hourly.

Centro de estudios puertorriqueños
Well-organized website provides information about this major Puerto Rican research institute at Hunter College / CUNY. Includes contents listing for Centro Journal, the major US research journal in Puerto Rican studies; a publications catalog; information about the Centro library and archival collections, and much more research information.

Colombian Studies Institute
Part of the Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University, this new research center promotes research on Colombia and the Colombian diaspora in the U.S. The website includes links to research reports produced by the Institute, information on current research, and links to resources elsewhere.

Coloquio Online
Formerly called Hispanic USA, this website from Baltimore - Washington DC still includes a few useful US Latino resources, particularly the e-journal Coloquio. Includes Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban American information; Latin American, peninsular Spanish, and Basque sites. In English and Spanish (some sections in Spanish only).

Cuban Committee for Democracy
Bilingual clearinghouse of moderate viewpoints on Cuban and Cuban American issues; includes Cuban Affairs newsletter, news on relevant legislation and events, and demographic information that challenges the belief that the Cuban American population is homogeneous and monolithic. Includes interesting Cuban and Cuban American links elsewhere. In English with parallel site in Spanish; no search engine.

Chapines Online
Major directory of Guatemalans online; includes many in the US. Also provides links to other Guatemalan web resources, Guatemalan-oriented chats, and links to similar online web directories for Salvadorans (Guanacos online), Hondurans (Catrachos online), and Nicaraguans (Nicas online). In Spanish.

Dominican Studies Institute
Website from this research institute at CUNY describes its programs, publications, activities, and contact information. Now includes a number of very nice Flash presentations. In English and Spanish.

¡Guanacos Online!
Massive directory of Salvadorans online, in US, El Salvador, and abroad. In Spanish.

HispanicBusiness.com
Formerly called HispanicBiz, this solid website has matured a now bills itself as HispanicBusiness.com. Large meta-site with a business focus. Includes helpful links to US and Latin American financial news, job databases, demographic and business-related facts about US Latinos, resources and publications on technology, networking, education, and community resources. Focus is general US Latino and Latin American. Also includes selected full text articles from Hispanic Business Magazine. In English (some links in Spanish, Portuguese); no search engine.

Hispanic Network Magazine
A career and employment-focused site that includes resources such as Latino-related employment fairs, lists of relevant conferences and their dates, and other career information. It does not include online magazine articles, though subscription information is posted.

Inter-University Program for Latino Research (IUPLR)
This excellent website links seventeen academic research institutes in the U.S. and Mexico that participate in IUPLR and focus on Latino research issues. Currently online are descriptions of the organization and its institutional members; numerous research working groups and their interests, select bibliographies on working group topics; their online newsletter, El Noticiero de IUPLR, and an excellent collection of Latino links focusing on policy and research organizations.

Julián Samora Research Institute
Website of this well-known research and policy institute at Michigan State University makes available many full-text papers and research notes, with a particular focus on midwestern Latino issues. It also culls together recent Latino-related news articles from elsewhere on the web, and maintains a collection of diverse Latino and Latin American web links. In English; includes search engine.

LULAC
The website of this well-known organization functions as a clearinghouse to their own weekly policy briefs, and includes much useful information such as a Congressional scorecard (detailing Senate and House votes by state and name), sections on immigration, Puerto Rico and the statehood question, voter rights, "English Plus," briefs on upcoming legislation relevant to Latino populations, and much more. Very well designed and timely. In English; no search engine.

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
Currently (as of May 2005) under re-construction, with not much available to see. We'll keep our fingers crossed that it returns! Previously, the website of this vibrant and growing museum in Chicago featured textual and visual information on its current, past, and planned exhibits, plus information on various community outreach service projects, including arts outreach to Chicago-area youth, the student-run Radio Arte project, and the museum's various programs. The MFAC is " the largest Mexican or Latino arts institution" in the U.S., and Chicago is home to the largest Mexican and Mexican American community in the midwest. Includes links to the separate Radio Arte website, and provides an important voice for midwestern Latino communities which are otherwise not well represented on the web. In English; no search engine.

Las mujeres
Biographical profiles on 21 selected US Latinas and Latin American women, ranging from Julia Alvarez, Cristina García, Mary Helen Ponce, and Gloria Estefan to the ubiquitous Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Although the site seems quite likely to be making use of copyrighted material (reprinting entire articles from periodicals and reference books not online), at least the sources have been cited. Includes many web links for each profile.

National Council of La Raza
Well-organized Web site from this policy focused organization provides extensive annotated lists of NCLR publications for sale, news briefs on issues such as health, education, immigration, and policy, and an unannotated list of other Web sites of interest. In English; includes search engine.

Puerto Rico & The American Dream / El Sueño Americano
Exciting multimedia collection of oral histories, video clips, scholarly lectures, and chronologies detailing 20th century Puerto Rican history and experiences of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States.

¡Qué hubo!
Massive listing of Colombian and Colombian American businesses, organizations, services, employment listings. In Spanish; includes search engine.

El Salvador a Wonderful Country
Lots of links to general information about El Salvador, but also discussion groups, e-journals and other resources by and about Salvadorans in the US. In English.

Terra
Excellent portal based in Spain, with offices across Latin America and the US. Full news service, and many familiar portal services. At the bottom of Terra's main page, links lead directly to Terra country-specific portal sites, including Argentina, Colombia, Chile, España, México, Perú, the U.S. (which allows users to choose Spanish or English language), and Venezuela. Search engine is reliable and very fast at all these content-rich sites.

Tomás Rivera Policy Institute
Website of this well-known institute makes available current statistics, full-text reports, current research topics, and briefings on diverse topics, such as Latinos and Internet use; college admissions and affirmative action; language issues; Latinos and the media; and presidential politics and voter turnout. Many publications are also available for purchase. In English, with some sections in Spanish; includes search engine.

Yahoo en español
Spanish-language version of Yahoo that focuses on classification and retrieval of websites written in Spanish, with a special focus on Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. In Spanish.

ZONAi.com
Puerto Rican-focused portal, with linkages to the excellent online newspaper, El Nuevo Día Interactivo, for news stories. Also includes coverage of popular leisure topics, such as entertainment, wellness, technology, and games. In Spanish; includes local search engine for ZONAi's own archives, with links provided to major Internet search engines and directories.

e-Journals, e-News

Americas Program
Formerly called Borderlines, this website still provides access to scholarly articles on environmental health, climate changes, immigration law, politics, and related topics concerning the Mexico - US border. From New Mexico. Fully bilingual with parallel sites in English and in Spanish.

El Andar Worldwide
Stylish literary and cultural e-journal, formerly hosted by the now defunct Electric Mercado. While this online literary magazine's previous focus was on Chicano and Mexican issues and literature, it has now broadened to cover topics such as Cuban Americans and music, the political situation in Vieques, P.R., and to feature profiles on individuals such as Pedro Almodóvar, Gabriel García Márquez, and Isabel Allende. In English; now includes search engine powered by Google, that allows searches in El Andar itself or the wider web.

Batanga.com
Outstanding Latin music radio site, with non-stop music programming available via RealPlayer. Separate stations are currently available for Latin hip-hop, rock en español, banda y mariachi, salsa y música tropical, and Latin pop. Site also includes interactive chat features, playlists, and occasional profiles of artists. Parallel sites in Spanish and in English.

La Campana
Miami newspaper dedicated to "la libertad de Cuba" covers Cuban and Cuban American politics, and many other topics including sports, health, arts & entertainment, and more. In Spanish.

Carta de Cuba
Online version of this non-profit newsletter - magazine based in Puerto Rico, which features essays on current situations in Cuba. The newsletter supports independent Cuban journalism, and takes a decided anti-Castro stance. Includes news updates for major cities in Cuba; signed essays are written mostly by Cuban writers living in exile. Includes archived files dating back to 1999. In Spanish.

Contacto Magazine
Sophisticated lifestyle and news magazine from Burbank that calls itself "una revista para el latino de hoy," targeting topics of interest to many specific Latino groups as well as news that impacts all Latinos. There are sections on society and culture, immigration, the arts, editorials, current news, music, humor, and food. In Spanish, with some sections in English; no search engine.

Diario las Américas
Cuban- and Cuban American-focused newspaper from Miami, that includes a great deal of Latin American news as well. Includes sections typical to newspapers such as sports and editorials, but also includes "Notas evangélicas and Cuestiones gramaticales. Also includes links elsewhere, with some general US Latino information. In Spanish; no search engine.

Ethnic & Racial Studies (ISU only)
One of the leading journals to focus on worldwide racial and ethnic studies issues. Full text coverage of this important journal begins with volume 21, January 1998, to the present. Back years of print version are available in Parks Library under the following call number: HT1501 E8

Hispanic American Historical Review (HAHR) (ISU only)
Now available online, via ISU Parks Library's subscription to Project MUSE. HAHR is the leading scholarly journal in English on Latin American history; occasionally includes U.S. Latino history articles and reviews as well. Back issues are available via JStor.

Hispanic Business
Electronic version of this business magazine includes links to some of the feature articles and news stories included in the print version. Many stories also include relevant links elsewhere. In English.

Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences (ISU only)
A leading journal for US Latino sociological and behavioralist research. Includes full text for volume 21, number 1 (February 1999) - present. Includes search features specific to article level or entire journal.

Hispanic Magazine.com
Electronic version of the well-known magazine, now included within the larger Hispanic Online portal. Regular features include columns on business, technology (which includes website reviews), careers, and leisure pursuits. In English; includes search engine, plus links to Vista and Hispanic Trends magazines.

Hispanic Online
Undoubtedly one of the leaders in terms of delivering quality content and information, and perhaps the only one to do so in English. Offers typical portal services, but with its many publications - including Hispanic Magazine, Vista, and others - this portal has a distinct advantage over others in providing authoritative and lengthy articles. In English; includes search engine for portal contents only.

HispanicVista.com
Opinion pieces and news on topics of the day. Previously, this news service linked to news articles, information and services of interest from elsewhere on the Web, and frequently on non-Latino issues. In English.

HOLA!
Hola! magazine, from Spain, presents world entertainment and fashion news in Spanish. Some features and articles from previous issues are available to subscribers only.

Hopscotch (ISU only)
Literary journal created by critic Ilán Stavans presents online essays on Latin American, Latin American Jewish, and US Latino identities and cultures, available full text via ISU Parks Library's subscription to Project MUSE. Coverage dates from volume 1, 1999 - present. In English.

QuéOndas.com
"La primera revista electrónica salvadoreña," from Miami. Previously called Guanaquiemos and hosted by QuéOndas.com, this is an impressive literary and cultural e-journal for Salvadorans, and whose focus is to remember El Salvador "with a smile and with nostalgia." Regular features include news articles, and columns on history, nuestra gente, book lists, humor, cooking, popular medicine, and other topics; in Spanish.

La Música.com
An extensive Latin music site with a focus on salsa, tropical, and contemporary Latin pop and rock music. Features interviews, reviews, New York live music club guide, and suggested resources. In English, with some sections in Spanish. Previously called Latin Music ¡OnLine!

Latina Style Magazine
Electronic version of the popular fashion and lifestyle magazine aimed at young Latinas. Full text articles provided for some back issues only; current and more recent issues provide selected table of contents and interactive features, but not the stories or feature articles themselves. Lots of ads clutter the home page. In English, with some bilingual features; includes search engine.

Latino USA: The Radio Journal of News & Culture
Excellent site provides access to sound files and some text transcripts of Latino USA's radio recent programs on diverse topics such as Latinos in unions, Colombians in Miami, the political situation in Puerto Rico, and Latino baseball players in the Negro Major Leagues. Requires RealAudio Player, and Adobe Acrobat for some text files. In English.

National Association of Hispanic Journalists
Features news articles on various US Latino groups and topics in its "Latino Reporter" section; includes professional information for organization members regarding conferences. In English.

El Nuevo Herald.com
One of the best online daily newspapers, from Miami. Includes Cuban section, news of interest to many Latino groups in the Miami area, as well as international, national, and regional news, cultural information, and services. In Spanish.

Puerto Rico: Reflections on the Oldest Colony
Digital radio news program from Pacifica Radio Network News focuses on the political status of Puerto Rico and its small island of Vieques, long the site of a U.S. military base whose activities have had a negative impact on the economy and health of local residents. In 1999, the military accidentally shelled and killed a Puerto Rican resident and wounded others. Recorded news features detail protests of the Puerto Rican people seeking to have the base and the U.S. occupancy removed. Requires RealAudio Player. Also includes facts and statistics concerning Puerto Rico and its people. In English.

Pocho.com
Chicano humor, comic art, and satire. Now includes many articles, opinion pieces, and in your face satire. In English.

La Prensa de San Antonio
Online weekly edition of this newspaper from Texas. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

QV Magazine
Youth-oriented magazine for gay Latinos provides good information and caring content. Includes many features and interviews with Latino celebrities regardless of gender or orientation.

La Raza On Line $$
Electronic version of this newspaper from Chicago features articles on regional and national US Latino issues and events, and Latin American news coverage, with an emphasis on Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. One of the most inclusive newspapers in terms of Latino groups covered. In Spanish, with parallel site in English; no search engine. (For more information about Latino news sites, see my published review from C&RL News.)

El Sol de Texas
Editorials, features, and cultural articles and graphics from the electronic version of this newspaper, the paper version of which has been in existence since 1966. As of this writing (May 2005), the publication's physical offices were being moved to Dallas, and the website publication was not available online. Stay posted.

SOL (Spanish in Our Libraries)
Online newsletter, each issue of which features numerous Latino and Latin American websites of note. Also includes real questions and answers from librarians regarding Latino library issues and services.

Urban Latino Magazine
Intelligent and flashy youth-oriented e-journal with long critical articles on music, culture, fashion, politics, and various manifestations of hip-hop ethnic pride, with a special focus on Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Colombians, Cuban Americans, and other Latinos. Includes online bodega that sells t-shirts and other items. In English.

Vista Magazine
The electronic version of the newspaper insert familiar to many Latino communities nationwide. Includes articles on prominent Latinos, music reviews, Latino success stories, parenting features, and other topics. In English and Spanish.

QePD - Qué en paz descansen