Locked In Conflict With Mainstream America

Hispanic Times Magazine, Dec, 1998 by Jane M. Rifkin

For the most of this century, the children of U.S. immigrants were eager to blend into mainstream American culture. That is changing! By contrast, the experiences of recent arrivals to the U.S. - mostly from Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean - do not fit the traditional view of assimilation.

Sure they are learning English, and job skills - but at the same time these children of immigrants are holding on to the languages and customs of their native lands. Their homeland culture prevails, and in some cases, they all but avoid melting into mainstream American life.

A joint research study, conducted at Michigan State University and Johns Hopkins University, draws upon interviews with 5,000 8th and 9th grade students attending public and private schools in San Diego, California, and the Miami/Fort Lauderdale areas of Florida. It is the first in-depth look at U.S. immigrant children in 50 years.

The study found evidence that those Chicanos and cholos (mostly U.S.-born second-and-third-generation students) whose loyalty was to their in-group and retain ing strong cultural and family identity, often outpace others in school. The explanation is that their native society reinforces the values of hard work and academic achievement.

Today's Spanish-speaking new arrivals are less locked in conflict with the white society. Formerly, (the survey revealed) these students were faced with what they saw as a forced-choice dilemma between doing well in school or being a Chicano. "To act white was regarded as disloyalty to one's group."

The process of assimilation was, of course, a simpler matter for most European immigrants who came to the U.S. in the early part of the century. For them it was largely a matter of choice. Such an advantage obviously does not exist for the Hispanic, black, Asian, and Mestizo (mixed race) children of today's immigrants.

The study also considered whether one mainstream culture exists in the United States or if the nation is composed of a "rainbow" of social and ethnic mainstreams. The "rainbow" provides an opportunity for blending the old and the new, for acculturating without necessarily assimilating.

For the Hispanic, whose family ties and cultural heritage usually reflects a life-long loyalty - to embrace American ways will not be to the exclusion of strong ethnic feelings for their deeply - engrained roots!

DIFFERENCES

Although the economically powerful Cuban community in Miami often enjoys a higher profile than Latinos and Hispanics in other areas of the U.S., it is believed that this is not representative of the people nationwide. Miami has special circumstances. While many of the immigrants from Cuba brought with them education, connections, assets, and often a middle and upper class outlook - their attitude does not reflect the Latinos across the States.

The Miami area's 1.4 million Latinos have the greatest annual per capita buying power -- $10,777. New York's $9,685 per capita spending is ranked eighth highest, after such areas as Tampa, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco. Los Angeles Latino consumers are 16th, with $9,013 per capita to spend.

It is believed that although 78 percent of Latinos, across the board, report using media in both Spanish and English, the immigrant enclaves like Los Angeles show that the thriving Spanish-language radio and television stations are a highly visible means of reaching the many less-acculturated Latino consumers.

English preferences will, of course, increase with acculturation of each generation. In California, where English-only classes are now being taught in the public schools (with limited immersion training for children who only speak Spanish) - the youth in that state is expected to acculturate faster than previous generations.

Nevertheless, for the Hispanic community in the United States, family-oriented cultures are expected to preserve the family-centeredness, and that means preserving the native language.

Another factor which influences the environment of the immigrant in this country is the global economy which exists today as never before. There is a dollar value placed on individuals who speak a second and even third language. This incentive to preserve Spanish, as well as to learn English and other languages, will produce a more well-educated, well-rounded, and more economically adept generation.

The environment which exists for Latinos today is vastly different than for the European immigrants who came to the U.S. during the early decades of this century. These days you can get on a plane, pick up a phone and reach all the way around the world. In direct contrast, the European immigrants crossed an ocean, and by virtue of that separation from their ancestors and their very heritage, they - for the most part - cut all ties.

To seek The American Dream is still the catalyst and the motivation which brings millions of less privileged minorities to this country. Although there is evidence of a hostile environment (which is experienced by all minorities) - the progression of acculturation, education, fluency in English, and job skills will have an increasing impact on lessening the racial hostilities which often prevail.