Latino? or Hispanic?

I feel that labels are one of the most enforcing reasons of discrimination. Though I understand and realize that labels will never dissapear, I feel that they are interpreted differntly amongst everything group and or individual. I wanted to find a good website that shows different sides to the label of Latino and Hispanics. Also in our book in the conclusion Bedolla feels that the label of "Latino" can be a bridge to bring "hispanics/mexicans/chicanos/latinos ect" together. It can help to form a positive group identity for all of these groups to share. Bedolla speaks about "colored-blind talk" about how scholars have the inabkility to show how this "multiplicity of experience is in fact the direct result of inequaliity of opportunity in American society across multiple demensions." She says that a collective identity would be positive, that this would also incorporate some understanding of "linked fate." This is how the individual see's themself linked to the overall group. The information I got below came from this website, I encourage you to read this even though it is long. http://www.lasculturas.com/aa/aa070501a.htm

If you're trying to figure out how to refer to a group of people, the one thing most Hispanics/Latinos agree one is that they prefer to be called by their immediate ethnic group. So if you're referring to Mexican-Americans, use that phrase instead of Hispanic or Latino.
Both Hispanic and Latino carry certain historical weights. The aspects that are good to some people are horrible to another. Here's a look at the pros and cons.

"Origins"
Hispanic is a term selected by the government after Hispanics lobbied successful to have the government acknowledge that they were a group impacted by prejudiced laws and social systems. It allowed for the government to track the needs of spanish-speaking people around the country as civil rights laws were being created and enforced.
Latino is seen as a term that originated within the community. The government created the other term, so it is considered more formal and imposing. The Latino label will often be used in more social and comfortable situations.
"Public Use"
Hispanic, since it is a government-endorsed term, will likely be used by formal institutions, especially if they are connected with the government in some way. This includes schools, non-profits, Congress and political speeches. In addition, since writing style is standardized in the media; Hispanic is more likely to be seen in the news.
Latino, since it is not a government term, will often be used by grassroots organizations, heritage groups and other community-based initiatives. Sometimes it is used to create a more community-oriented environment. Newspapers that serve an area with a high Latino population often start to use Latino. This could show an actual connection to the community, an attempt to connect with the community or a simple attachment to a new buzzword.
"Politics"
Hispanic is more likely to be used by conservative politicians. Since Cuban-Americans dominate Hispanic Conservatism, some connotations are weighted by their popularity in the Miami community. For instance, Hispanic is seen as more inclusive because some view Latino as a direct reference to European blood. So, there are some people who would say a mestizo person isn't Latino, but a pure Spanish person is. They see Hispanic as more inclusive.
Latino is more likely to be used by liberal politicians. It is likely meant to connect to the "grassroots" attitude that Democrats like to portray.
'Language"
Hispanic generally means "Spanish like" or "affected by Spanish". The more frequent connotation, especially by the government, is "Spanish speaking".
Latino is viewed as being a broad reference to Latin languages or people. While people hold this view, you're not likely to hear an Italian-American or Franco-American referred to as Latino. You might, however, hear Brazilians referred to as Latino because of the shared Iberian heritage.
"National Origin"
Hispanic is often seen as a direct reference to Spain. Because of this, it is sometimes rejected or embraced. Some still view Spain as the mother country while others reject it as a colonial master.
Latino is sometimes viewed as a direct reference to Latin countries, embracing France, Italy, Portugal and other countries. It is also viewed as a reference to Latin America (Latinoamericano). So, depending on how you view it, Latino calls on the old prejudices of peninsulares and criollos. It either holds the Americas or Europe in higher regard.
"Euro centric"
The history of the Americas is one of conquest. Those who have a closer identity to non-European roots often reject having European labels once again put on them. For those who don't have any European blood, it seems even more ridiculous to them that they should have a European label.
Hispanic is rejected by some because it focuses too much on Spain. Others embrace it for the same reason.
Latino is rejected by those who see it as a European reference. Others embrace it because it's so broad and they see richness in the diversity it brings.
"Inclusive"
Hispanic has heavy connotations favoring Spain. As a legal term, it refers to anyone from a Spanish-speaking country or heritage. This includes over 18 nations, but excludes the Portuguese and others.
Latino is very general. That is a problem for some and a justification for others. While it might technically include French and Italian people, it seldom takes that form in every day life. It also tends to be American-centric, favoring Latinoamericano. So it might include too many Europeans at times, but is often seen as excluding Spain from Latin America

Voting: Race/Class

When I think of our discussions in class along with our readings about Latino voting, I feel like I am sometimes hearing about the black struggle to vote. Here it is a generation or two later and Latinos are struggling with making their mark in the political world. It is sad because they actually can vote if they are legal, but eventhough they have this ability they are still stuck behind a barrier. This barrier consists of discrimination, classism, racism, and struggle to understand language. They need someone to give them change, give them chances, but all of this seems so far out of reach for them because they often do not have the education it takes to reach out and participate in this change. As spoke about in chapter 5 of Bedolla, she mentions that the stronger sense of attachment to your group, the more likely you will want to better your community and group. With East LA and Montebello, you have two class system. One being primarily middle and one lower. Montebello tends to go for the "survival of the fitest" mentality while East LA has a "shared injury" mentality. East LA has a stronger since of group identity which in return has a larger percent of volunteer work and or pride in their community. It is clear that race is not the only issue when it comes to taking part in politics, community and voting, class as well plays a huge ROLE! To read more read chapter 5 or refere back to our class discussions.

Social Class and Politics

Class Plays a huge role when it comes to socieity and being seen as equal. Voting gives a sense of equality to the people. To be able to vote says "I belong." When one can not vote its known as a "political alienation," which can lead to what the book also calls "group conflict." Not to mention, having the right to vote allows having a say or part in your surroundings. It also is more then that, voting hs a impact on political attitudes and behavior, which can create discrimination amongst all races and social groups. You can have two mexicans, one whom is a first generation and another who is not legal. Because one may be able to vote, it creates a "in group" conflict. Black struggles, Latino struggles, Asian struggles and many more groups show that when they were able to be the discrimination laws and find ways to vote, they're lives were changed, them voting changed laws, discrimination, and allowed for them to have a better life!
To find more informationi on this topic refere back to our book we are reading in class, "Fluid Borders." Specifically chapter 4, you can also go online to google and type in, "civil rights movements (latinos/chicanos)"

“When I grow up I'm going to be a person who fights for this country. I'm going to be an important person. I'm going to a good college… I'm going to fight for [people]… I want them to come to me and say, 'Thank you.' I want to be a lawyer.” Mayra, a fifth-grade student from a high-poverty school in Los Angeles, is one of the central figures in Laura Angelica Simón's Fear and Learning at Hoover Elementary. Mayra lives in a small apartment with her mother and uncle, both undocumented immigrants from El Salvador. Like many of the students and parents of Hoover Elementary, a school in Pico Union (often described as the Ellis Island of Los Angeles), Mayra fears the ramifications of California's Proposition 187, which denies health care and public education to undocumented immigrants.
-http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/reviews/f-fear.html

In class we discussed the struggles the Mexicans have had while entering America. Many of the troubles exist simply because they are undocumented and therefore found to be illeagal. This has created man tensions. American citizens are upset because they are forced to pay taxes, taxes in which give undocumented children school, food, and healthcare. Above is a quote about the movie Hoover Elemetnary that we watched in class. It focused on illegal immigrants and the Proposition 187. This propositon was passed.
Walls and Mirrors discusses how the close immigration has reemerged as one of the most divisive controveries in American politics. With many of the troubles that our nation is experiencing, we was citizens and politicians vent out our frustrations on immigrants. We throw all the pointing those crossing the border illegally and blame them for our economic troubles. In the epologue the author says, "the nation is simultaneously experiencing a deep economic recession, increasing political polarization, and a frightening increase in ethnic and racial tensions, many Americans are again venting their frustrations about U.S. immigration policy and about the many cultural issues that immigration has helped to inject into national politics.
This all makes you wonder, is immigration causing certain problems that politicians say they are? Or our we simply hitting a devistating economic fall that has nothing to with immigrants, but yet we need them to blame everything on?

Bracero Program left Mexicans used

The braceros labored tirelessly thinning sugar beets, picking cucumbers and tomatoes, and weeding and picking cotton. The braceros, a very experienced farm labor, became the foundation for the development of North American agriculture.
Despite their enormous contribution to the American economy, the braceros suffered harassment and oppression from extremist groups and racist authorities.
-http://www.farmworkers.org/bracerop.html

I found this on the site listed above. It is a perfect statement of how Braceros helped develop the North American Agriculture. They worked extremely hard during this time while American men were off at war. When wartime ended, so did the Bracero program. Many groups and politicians faught vigorously to send these workers back to Mexico. They weren't give true credit for keep our nation afloat . Many were upset that Braceros were coming into the southwest. As Walls and Mirrors discusses forums would come to the conclusion that the Bracero program had contributed to the nation during the war had been "subverted to the crass desires of American ranchers and farmers at the expense of American citizen labor which is being displaced in increasing numbers and whose wages are being depressed more and more." Garcia felt opposite saying, "Would thirty thousand Americans migrate... if they did not have to? Would they leave thier homes and schools to migrate to uncertainty if thye could make a living at home? Would they expose their children to sickness and death if they did not have to?"
this program helped the Mexicans and Mexicans help America, but its clear they are not greated with a handshake and a thank you but rather a slap in the face for "displacing" American farm workers and taking their jobs. If you want to read more on this feel free to click on the address I listed above or look at Ch. 5 in "Walls and Mirrors."