posted on May 14, 2003 05:44:10 PM newlet's face it...this culture is $$ driven, and business has discovered the bilingual market.
And that is one of the major obstacles placed that blocks assimilation to the society.
Since business adjust to accomadate a particular market through employment, advertisements, product lines ,etc.. People are made to feel secure and it drives all incentive to adjust right out the door.
there will be almost 56 million Hispanic Americans living in the United States and most will be U.S. born
Question: Though i was born here, when would i or my offspring stop being labeled Hispanic.
posted on May 14, 2003 06:15:38 PM new
no neo, i only asked because of the constant criticism concerning hyphenated americans. It was just a curious question, seeing that the media always uses the hyphens.
Hispanic ? I truly do not know what that term describes. Latino? don't know either.
posted on May 14, 2003 06:41:03 PM new
Does detached indifference to each other count?.
That's actually probably part of the reason I have so much respect for the latin community. It wasn't until I started spending time with friends in Mexico that I really experienced "the whole family thing".
[ edited by neonmania on May 14, 2003 06:41 PM ]
posted on May 14, 2003 07:52:23 PM new Though i was born here, when would i or my offspring stop being labeled Hispanic.
And begin being labeled what exactly? "American"??
My family built the house I live in 200 years ago. I was born in the bedroom I now sleep in. My mother was born in that room, as was my son and both of my girls. I have no doubt that one day one of my kid's kids will occupy that room. We are "hispanic", although it is not a term we use, unless describing ourselves to non-hispanics.We don't find it offensive, just a little too generic.Among ourselves, we are "Gallegos", descendents of people from the region of Spain called Galicia. We have been here since well before this place was "American". We are Americans, but don't find it necessary to abandon an ancient and revered culture in order to be American. As long as our cultural legacy and language remains intact, we will continue to label ourselves "hispanic".
If you can't answer a man's argument, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.
- Elbert Hubbard
posted on May 14, 2003 11:19:14 PM newMy family built the house I live in 200 years ago......Among ourselves, we are "Gallegos", ....
Now this blew my mind, I would never of ever of guessed that an Old world spanish culture is still flourishing in the states.
how has your family been able to keep up traditions,without outside influences (marriage, schooling, teenage rebellion)
Is there like a Gallego community in the states or maybe ties to the family in spain?
Well Prof you are truly an hispanic in the literal sense. Thats great, all i truly know of my surname is that it came from the Canary Islands before that who knows.
posted on May 15, 2003 05:22:48 AM newhow has your family been able to keep up traditions,without outside influences (marriage, schooling, teenage rebellion)
There are lots of spanish, chicano and latino families in the SW and Mexico who know their ancestry for many many generations. Mine is still in touch with family members in Spain whose ancestors didn't leave and come here. Obviously there are "outside" influences. Just like any family, we've had our share of jailbirds, rebels and those who've married out side the culture, and that's ok. Families, like cultures, need to be able to adapt to change over time. I can only speak for myself, what keeps things focused for us is our sense of duty to this place. We're scattered out all over the place now, but this ranch, and my Great uncle's place in Durango, Mexico are the heart and soul of our family. When somebody dies, gets married, baptized, gets sick, needs help,or wants to celebrate, this is where we all come together, and in doing so we affirm and perpetuate who we are. American culture doesn't pay much attention to family identity, with it's focus on personal achievement and impermanent communities which grow according to the economy of the moment. I think it's tragic that many Americans can't name their own great grandparents.But that's to be expected I guess in a country where the average home changes ownership every 5 to 7 years!
The Canary Islands have a rich and unique history, you should look into your background. My earliest ancestor in this country sailed from there after a stopover of several years, maybe we're primos
If you can't answer a man's argument, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.
- Elbert Hubbard
