Why do most Hispanics stay poor?
At our LinkedIn group discussion a member expressed his disagreement with my ealier post Latinos Are Too Focused on Material Success stating that “the numbers do not show it.” That is true. Interestingly, I just came across an article I wrote for Quirks Magazine, which was published in April, 1998. Eleven years later some of what I wrote there still applies. Here is a segment of the article pertaining to why Hispanics stay poor. For the whole article please go here.
The U.S. is the land of opportunity. Over the years, immigrants from all over the world have come to this country and managed to work hard to improve their economic situation. What is different about the Hispanic immigrants? To answer that question, you have to take into account the fact that the times have changed. Today ’s immigrants do not arrive here by breaking all ties with their homelands. While just a century ago people would take a long boat trip across the Atlantic to get to this country, today’s immigrants can move here overnight and go back to visit the following week. They never have to lose touch. From the airlines to the telephone to the television and even the Internet, new immigrants can keep in touch with their homeland.
Even in this country, the Hispanic community keeps in touch by creating its own home away from home. Hispanics have Spanish television, can read most product labels in Spanish, can easily purchase their favorite ethnic food at the local supermarket or bodega, and can socialize with others who speak their language and share their culture. This is indeed very different from the old melting pot culture where immigrants forced their children to forget their mother tongue and become part of the new culture. Hispanics place a high value on being able to maintain their customs, language, and culture. The U.S. freedom allows it, and it is indeed attractive. Yet, I argue that not “melting into the pot” creates a difficult situation that leads to lower income.
By insisting on being “different,” Latinos are promoting discrimination. When Puerto Ricans wear their flag on everything from their cars to their T-shirts, they are making a statement that says, “I am proud of my heritage,” but it is often read as “I am not part of this country.” That leads to a common reaction: “Well, get the heck out!” which is also known as discrimination. Discrimination often leads to a lower income. This is especially true of Hispanic communities that consist of individuals with minimal education and labor skills. These communities depend on the jobs provided by members of an outside community. The number of Hispanic businesses that provide job opportunities to their own community is extremely low, compared to other ethnic groups like Asian Americans. There are exceptions. One, of course, is the Cuban community in Miami, whose Hispanic-owned businesses hire four times as many people than Hispanic- owned businesses in New York City.
Besides discrimination, there are other factors that affect income. To keep their culture, Hispanics often move near other Hispanics in typical Latino neighborhoods. Some of these neighborhoods have deteriorated — victims of crime and drug problems. To complicate matters, public education systems in many Latino neighborhoods are overcrowded and underfinanced. As a result, Hispanic young people are not receiving an equal education. Since English is not the language of choice in most Hispanic neighborhoods, and the schools are not adequate, many Latinos are not proficient enough in English to obtain decent employment. What is worse, because Spanish is not taught in school, many Hispanic Americans grow up not knowing how to read and write in Spanish.
Despite my contention that Latinos would be better off financially if they tried to blend into the American culture, I don ’ t agree with that approach. Looking at the situation from an economic standpoint you must give value to the desire of Hispanics to keep their customs, language and culture. I argue that this value is so high that it justifies whatever negative effects may occur — discrimination, lower income, or even bad neighborhoods. Since the Hispanic population continues to grow at a higher rate than any other minority group, these problems will eventually disappear. Even today, Spanish culture is quickly becoming ingrained into the American culture. Tacos are now as popular as hot dogs and hamburgers in the typical American diet, and Spanish words are becoming part of the American language — ¿Comprende?
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Sergio Said,
April 21, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
I agree with some but not everything that you are saying. I understand the example of Puerto Ricans wearing and flaunting their flag and how Americans can get upset over that. But you can’t tell a Puerto Rican to get out when the island itself is a commonwealth of the United States. My opinion as to why latinos stay poor has to do with the lack of education. But not just the lack of education here in the US-the lack of education back home. You have to find the root of the problem-most people that migrate to the US haven’t even finished 6th grade in their homeland. How can they get educated when-first, there is no plan to stop immigration, there is no plan to setup a program to educate the people and introduce them to a new life with rules and regulations. Dont get me wrong- I completely understand why Americans get upset and they have every right to criticize us because the stereotype wont change until the masses change so we can seem less naive, ignorant and callous. Saludos.
Ricardo A. López Said,
April 21, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Sergio, I do have the tendency to simplify things in order to drive home a point. Yes, I agree, education is a very significant component in this equation. However, I still argue that, in an effort to maintain our culture and heritage, we make ourselves stand out; and people have trouble dealing with other people that they perceive as different from themselves. By not blending in we create prejudices; which can lead to discrimination; and that, one would infer, interferes with income generating opportunities. Thanks for posting!
Otto Rodriguez Said,
May 12, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
I truly believe that Latinos “remain poor” because a large majority of these immigrants come to this country strictly to work and many (if not all) ultimately end up sending most of their earnings back home to support their families. This “altruistic responsibility” to “help out the family members left behind” is truly representative of the Latino mindset and clearly corresponds with the “strong family bond” that truly characterizes our Hispanic culture.
Ismael Hernandez Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 2:06 am
That is why we must advocate the importance of gaining that educational asset our culture needs. It is ridiculous to see my people pride themselves fancying a Chevy Suburban with 24inch rims and a typical sticker demonstrating what “Pueblo” they come from. And yet they struggle to meet ends meat. That is why we are mostly targeted. We have a mass labor field. Most of labor is going abroad. So what skills are Latinos going to rely on? America is a system that crops the brightest and most talented people in the world. I truly believe it’s our time. We must see that reality.
Brown Pride Said,
September 6, 2009 @ 4:02 am
Hey, uh wtf, what am i doing here?
oh yeah shit i think that we are already taking over.
World-wide we have next to china’s population. Hispanics are dedicated, yet we do not have the resources other races have. And the ones who do succeed in America or have succeeded have married into white culture and adopted white customs, leaving their latino heritage behind. This is selfish and naive, if successful latinos back in the 80’s and 90’s weren’t so selfish, we would probably be at the top. But now we have to the process all over. Also black people are lazy since my friend, who is black openly admitted that just because he was black, he could get into any college or he would call them racist…thats how lazy they are. Most blacks i work with talk instead of working and they laugh hysterically while on the job. We hispanics might make a joke or two then chuckle but thats about it.
Point is, we have higher values and virtues. We have religion to keep us going and strive for a better life. Yet I am not racist against blacks i am just stating my experience and pointing out the obvious flaws of being black. There recently has been alot of all-black colleges shutting down due to poor grades. The u.s. is scared to make an all latino school because they know we will succeed and eventually take over. Were just as smart as the white man, if not smarter, only difference is that were more attractive. Also, it is unfair to let let one race have a private organization and not the other. I see a future as hispanics with the leading race. Not a dream, as dreams are but a mere vision which can only be seen. A future goal can be reached. With due time, we will overcome.
Patricia Said,
September 20, 2009 @ 1:53 am
I am not prejudiced,just plain do not “get it” for immigrants. Also, from curiousity,why do the people change thrir religion whe coming here to the U.S.? Am arguing any one point,just am curious over theses items,so please don’t take the wrong way, Thank you.
Ricardo A. López Said,
September 20, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
Patricia, no offense taken at all! As far as changing religion; most Latinos were born Roman Catholic and the majority continues to be part of the Roman Catholic Church. However, U.S. acculturation brings exposure to many things including other religions. Latinos tend to be very spiritual and new immigrants who find it difficult to adapt to their new country seek comfort in their religion. The Catholic church in the U.S. is struggling because it is loosing many non-Hispanic members while gaining thousands of new Hispanic immigrants. As a result the Catholic church has seen itself turning Hispanic very quickly and many in the church have resisted this change. As a result of its inability to embrace the new Latino immigrants in many of its parishes; many Latinos have left to join chruches that are more welcoming to them.
Mike Said,
December 18, 2009 @ 4:54 am
Hispanics are poor as a population in America because they are too different from “real” americans. If Hispanics want what “white” americans have then they need to make the decision to assimilate into white american culture. (because that is where the wealth is)
It should not be a groundbreaking discovery that everyone prefers to be around people that are similar to themselves. It might be racist and wrong but it is the reality of nature.
Also, I think that many americans resent when they meet 2nd and 3rd generation hispanics that still don’t speak english. It really reinforces bad stereotypes. It looks bad for all immigrants.
Robert Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 11:52 am
The town I live in used to be a sleepy little Florida town of 7500. Then Puerto Ricans start the mass influx into here but not to live here as Americans….they create their own little sub-cultures and that goes completely against the immigration values set by the European immigrants. And they wonder why the blacks, whites, and other races show little or no tolerance.
Because they pretty much stick to their own the learning of english is not a concern of theirs, and never will…….they are overwhelming the public school system by doing this.
80% of crime in this town is done by hispanics because their lack of assimilation has left them in dead end jobs and crime is only going to get worse as the economy flounders.
I know Puerto Ricans are citizens but they need to quit trying to change this country into the country that they abandoned……if they are proud of it, move back.
I served with Puerto Rican soldiers in Iraq and Bosnia while in the Army. We still keep in touch and they are about as disgusted as I am with the lack of effort to assimilate. Mexicans are hurting the PR reputation because most white/black/asian/ect people don’t appreciate the running up of government entitlements. As long as the hispanics don’t assimilate they will always be seen as invaders.
Robert Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
English is one of the toughest languages in the world to learn, but like Mike said, most US citizens just resent 2nd and 3rd generation hispanics that have made no attempt to learn english. To make that worse, our politicians voted down making english the official language and that is absurd. My family immigrated here from Romania so if we can assimilate so can the puerto Ricans.
Jorge Said,
April 14, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
Although I realize the need to master the spoken language wherever you live, I totally disagree with the need to assimilate where compliance with the law and violation of moral rules is not in question. To angrily expect others to assimilate to YOUR notions of normal is completely immature and somewhat sociopathic. Picture this, I have seen bred and born white Georgians driving around in predominantly black neighborhoods in flaunting rebel flags and Son of the Confederacy stickers on their trucks, both symbols of antebellum slavery and segregation. They expect no retaliation because they feel assured of their freedom of expression, yet they rail and rant when they see a Puerto Rican flag hanging from the back of someone else’s car. On a more precise note, I have had total strangers interrupt quiet conversation in Spanish between me and my family in a restaurant to ask us “habla ingles”, “comprende, comprende?” in a loud voice and hand me a brochure claiming to teach me how to raise my children. Folks need to remember that rude, boorish and nosy are universal concepts percieved by all cultures and they need to grasp a concept that seems novel to many in this country, minding one’s own business…
Susan Said,
April 29, 2010 @ 8:43 am
Hispanics, just like Italians, Irish, Greeks, etc. can and should keep and be proud of their heritage. Being able to speak another language (or languages) is of great benefit. But, if hispanics want to live and PROSPER in ANY other country, they truly need to learn to speak, read and write the predominant language in that country and assimilate into that culture. When they don’t, it truly hinders them, appears arrogant and demonstrates an unwillingness to blend in. No other ethnic group in U.S. history has come to this country and expected the rest of us to change for them. I have hispanic friends, fellow employees and acquaintances. It saddens me that they do not understand how they are literally “shooting themselves in the foot,” and causing GENERATIONS of their children and families to remain poor. I really think that our government has perpetuated this. Hispanics think that those who encourage them to keep speaking Spanish and keep flaunting their heritage. language and culture are on their side. In fact, I believe that those people and politicians have a secret agenda for Hispanics. Those politicians want you to keep speaking a foreign language, which they know will lead to poverty and discrimination. Then, they can appear to “rescue” you, when they are really only controlling you. I, personally, came from a very poor family, rampant with alcoholism and abuse. With only a 12-grade public education (no college) I have prospered because I focused on learning to read, write and speak very fluent English. I know that if you do that, and work hard, you can and will prosper in the United States of America. This “message” can only be delivered to Hispanics by Hispanics. Most Hispanics refuse to believe these truths when spoken by a non-Hispanic and usually accuse us of discrimination. For that reason, I’ve stopped trying to enlighten even close Hispanic friends. It’s up to your own “community” to “teach” each other. Only then will your families and children prosper in this country.