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latino newsApril 2008
Hudson's SPC students participate in televised game show |
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In addition to SPC, other competing institutions included California's Whittier College, San Diego State University, and East Los Angeles College.
Texas' Our Lady of Lake University and University of Houston also participated in the event as well as New Mexico State University and City Colleges of Chicago.
Although SPC made it to the final four, they lost to City Colleges of Chicago, who went on to win the highest level of the competition.
"The City College ladies were great girls," said Rivero, adding, "They had a wide cast of support. They were very humble about it, not flashy; they handled it professionally. To a certain extent, I'm glad they won."
The participants
Rivero, a junior at SPC, was one of five students to participate in the show along with Hudson County residents Daniela Villacres, Daisy Vargas, Stephanie Galvis, and director of Latin American and Latino Studies Program at SPC and advisor for the traveling group, Dr. Alex Trillo.
Another student, Noel Borges, president of SPC's Latin American Service Organization (LASO), participated in addition to coordinating the trip.
"The students were very prepared - they were really impressive," said Trillo, adding, "Anything I was going to help the students with was going to be minor guidance only."
Jersey City native and freshman at SPC Daniela Villacres attested to that.
"One of the most difficult parts of the contest had to be learning all that information in a [short] matter of time," said 19-year-old Villacres.
She added, "I was glued to the [study] book for that whole week but it was definitely worth it."
Memorable experience
Although the SPC group missed out on $15,000 scholarship prizes, the traveling group's experience was a memorable one.
Dr. Trillo remembered the team barely made it to Chicago in the first place.
"It was chaotic," said Trillo, "Our flight was cancelled Friday for weather reasons, so we stayed around studying until 6 a.m. at Newark Airport. While stuck [at the airport,] it was a little crazy - we were trying to figure out every opportunity to get us out of town. At one point, we were talking about driving to Chicago."
Luckily, everything worked out for the group as they enjoyed Chicago's sites, including a trip to the town of Pilsen, a "strong, vibrant" Mexican-American enclave, according to Trillo.
"These places were their version of Bergenline Avenue," said Trillo.
The group also made it to a Mexican fine arts museum.
Trillo said that the trip was a "great example of the kinds of activities we should get our students involved in; things that are fun but also have them learning a lot."
Leaving Chicago was bittersweet for everyone.
"[It] was very difficult leaving Chicago and the new friends I had made," said Villacres, adding, "Meeting [students] from all eight different schools, and the people in them, was incredible."
Rivero couldn't help but agree.
"I haven't laughed so much in a long time with a good group of people," said Rivero, adding, "We just so happened to be laughing in a beautiful, picturesque city."
Rivero, who thanked the traveling group, said the game show was merely a fraction of the trip.
"I hope the people I went with will never forget the trip; I know I won't."
Nicolas Millan can be reached at NMillan@hudsonreporter.com.
Press Release of Senator Menendez
SENATE APPROVES BILL INCLUDING LATINO MUSEUM, CESAR CHAVEZ PROVISIONS http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=296033&
Thursday, April 10, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the United States Senate passed legislation that includes provisions which could lead to the creation of a National Museum of the American Latino, and also paves the way for the designation of various historic sites around the country after the legendary César Chávez. The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739), which the Senate passed today, includes both the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of American Latino Act of 2007 (S.500/H.R. 512), as well as the César Estrada Chávez Study Act (S. 327).
“I am proud that Senate Democrats led the way to approve legislation today that honors the countless contributions of Hispanic Americans to our country,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said. “By approving a bill that would eventually honor Latinos with a national museum in Washington, DC, and that would pave the way for honoring historical sites related to civil rights icon César Chávez, the Senate helped bring recognition to the vital place that Latinos have in our national mosaic.”
The Latino museum legislation would establish a Commission to study the potential creation of a national museum in Washington, DC dedicated to the art, culture, and history of Hispanic Americans. The bill passed by voice vote in the House of Representatives on February 6, 2007. It will now head back to the House for final action as part of a larger package of bills.
“The contributions of Latinos in this country are innumerable and I am delighted that we are one step closer to fulfilling the dream of having a Museum of the American Latino on the national mall and historically significant places in the life of César Chávez designated as national landmarks”, said Sen. Robert Menéndez (D-NJ). “These initiatives acknowledge the major part Latinos have played in weaving our historical fabric and strengthening our nation.”
The César Chávez provision would authorize the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of César Estrada Chávez. The study would help determine whether those sites meet the criteria for being listed on the National Register of Historic Places or possible designation as national historic landmarks. The house version is sponsored by Rep. Hilda Solís (H.R. 359) and was passed in July 2007. This bill is also contained in the package that will move to the House for final action.
“I believe we must celebrate the diversity of our Nation and Latinos in general, and César Chávez in particular, has been a significant part of American history. They have contributed to nearly every facet of our culture including the arts, business, and served in our Nation's military with distinction,” said Senator Salazar (D-CO). “These bills would take the first step in commemorating the rich contributions of the Latino community to American life, and would honor César Chávez as one of our nation’s top civil rights leaders.”
SEPTEMBER 2007
New Studies Offer Insights on Metro Area Latinos
On Mexicans in New York City:
Mexicans were the fastest growing Latino national group from 1990 to 2005 and became the third largest Latino nationality in the City by 2005, behind Puerto Ricans and Dominicans.
On unemployment for Latino nationalities:
Among Puerto Ricans over 16 years of age in New York City, 44% of the population was out of the labor force. Among Dominicans, the figure was 36%.
On Hispanic voting patterns:
While rates of voter registration for Hispanics remain consistently lower than those of white and black voters, once Hispanic citizens are registered to vote, they are most likely to vote on Election Day, with over an over 80% participation rate.
On socioeconomic differences among Latino groups:
Smaller national groups such as Colombians, Ecuadorians, Guatemalans and Salvadorans have higher earnings than immigrants from larger population groups, such as Dominicans, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans.
On the demographics of the South Bronx
The relative percentages of Latinos living in South Bronx neighborhoods has increased between 1990 and 2005 from 67% to 72% of the total population.
On disparities in health among Latinos in Washington Heights/Inwood
The neighborhoods have seen rapid growth in their foreign-born population, especially Dominicans (73%), Puerto Ricans (8%), Ecuadorians (6%), and Mexicans (4%), over the last 15 years. Results show that these newcomers and their families face various health concerns, as well as specific barriers to accessing health care.
The studies were derived from census data by CLACLS' Latino Data Project, which continues to mine 2000 census information and updated reports for insights into New York City's Latino community. Other notable findings are below, and the complete reports of these and other Latino Data Project studies can be found on CLACLS' website at web.gc.cuny.edu/lastudies.
From “Mexicans in New York City, 1990–2005”:
- If current growth rates continue among all Latino nationalities, Mexicans will become the largest Latino nationality in the City by 2035.
- The NYC Mexican population is growing because of continued migration and extraordinarily high fertility and birth rates compared to other Latino national groups.
- Only 9% of all Mexicans over 25 years of age had attained a BA degree or higher in 2005, the lowest rate among all Latino nationalities.
From “Unemployment and Labor Force Participation Rates Among Racial/Ethnic Groups and Latino Nationalities in the New York Metro Area and the Five Boroughs”:
- Unemployment continues to plague the Latino community in the New York metropolitan area. Although there has been a decline in unemployment rates among Latinos since 1990, in 2005 the unemployment rate stood at 6.4%.
- Among Latino nationalities, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans had the highest rates of unemployment, while Guatemalans reported the lowest rates.
- Data suggest that the ‘real’ unemployment rate among Latinos may be much higher than official statistics since only those actively seeking work are included in unemployment data.
- Despite major growth in the population of Hispanics, many of the children that have contributed to the growth of the population will not be eligible to vote for about 10 years.
- Although Hispanic voting power may not visibly effect the 2008 presidential elections, it may affect local elections, according to changes in the demographics of particular geographical regions.
- Hispanic potential voters with greater educational attainment were more likely to register and vote, as were potential voters with higher incomes, and those with jobs. Domestic-born Hispanic citizens were more likely to register and vote than foreign-born naturalized citizens.
- There was limited social mobility for older Latino immigrant groups, particularly Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. The relative well-being of newer Latino immigrant groups may indicate a better adaptation to the economic landscape of New York City.
- The disparity between older and newer Latino immigrant groups may also be due to changes in the profile of those who chose to migrate. It may no longer be the poorest people who opt to migrate from Latin America.
- It is possible that, because women make of the majority of foreign-born Dominicans and Puerto Ricans, households earn less due to the wage gap between sexes.
- Among all Latinos, the percentage of Puerto Ricans in the South Bronx fell from 76% in 1990 to 53% in 2005. Dominicans increased from 11% to 22%, and the Mexican population rose from 4% to 12%.
- About 10% of the South Bronx Latino population owned their own homes or apartments in 2005. Median family income among Latinos in the South Bronx increased from $12,300 in 1990 to $19,150 in 2005 while median household income rose from $14,740 to $21,290.
- Only about 5% of South Bronx Latinos over 25 years of age had achieved a BA degree or higher in 2005. Among Dominicans, the rate was 12%, compared with 3% for Puerto Ricans.
- About half of residents employed in the civilian labor force hold service or sales/office jobs, which commonly offer lower or uncertain wages, and few opportunities for employer-sponsored health benefits.
- Residents are less likely to have health insurance than their NYC peers.
- Immigrant residents tend to use preventive and health care services less frequently than the general public. Thus, incidence rates of high blood pressure and high cholesterol conditions are significantly higher than in NYC as a whole. Similar patterns are seen for smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity.
