Latin-American Studies

1. Analyzing the occupation in Sanetech and San Jose, it can be seen that there are two sides that illustrate the realities happening in the community. At one side, it can be seen the progressive and highly developed industries in Silicon Valley with technological innovations in computer and software. On the other hand, amidst the bustling workplace, there are also informal occupations present under the strata of formalized organizations that feature Mexican immigrants in general (Zlolinski, 2006). It is through such capacity that the idea of an informal economy exists.

Interpreting the value of informal economies in Sanetech and San Jose, it can be described as occupations wherein conditions do not meet expected standards provided by American society. In particular, it showcases limited opportunities for acquiring health benefits, social protection, and making contributions (via taxes) due to questionable immigrant status among people engaged in such occupations (Zolinski, 2006). It is through such capacity that majority of immigrants end up in this stratum and seeks alternative ways to earn a living and meet the demands of life.

Informal economy can be organized according to the value of work an employee provides the company. It demonstrates the ability of how these immigrant workers respond to the availability of occupations which can either be characterized as (1) hidden industrial activities or (2) a sub economy in the neighborhood (Zolinski, 2006). Each of these showcases different agendas and connotes a particular strategy to operate. For example, in hidden industrial activities, companies seek to utilize maximizing their savings with cheap labor and reduce production costs. On the other hand, a neighborhood sub economy illustrates the objective of maximizing income via transactions among low income and informal workers within the community (Zolinski, 2006).

Analyzing this situation, it can be seen that the occupations under this informal economy can be characterized into type of employment one undertakes. One example to highlight this involves the existence of a subcontracted employee in a formalized business unit. Here, the position available may correspond to low-skilled maintenance and manufacturing that pays below the minimum wage required by the government or state (Zolinski, 2006). They are considered subcontracted due to the fact that their occupation is determined by a middle party who determines their qualifications. Seeing this, their contributions remains vital to the overall production of the company but are unable to be recognized as formal because their affiliations is mandated by other their corresponding subcontractors (Zolinski, 2006). Such case can be seen with the case of Arturo and Alberto.

Another evident example of an informal economy present within Sanetech and San Jose involves the practice of street vending. Here, these individuals create and provide products and services to the local community corresponding to what they need. Sweatshops are also another occupation that coincides with Sanetechs informal economy. The main objective of this endeavor is to encourage lower production costs because producers does not have to pay benefits to workers and can encourage a higher quota (Zolinski, 2006). Such realities remain prevalent in many industrial factories which provide poor working conditions for its employees.

Given these relatively harsh conditions, it is apparent that informal employees do face constraints in their ability to meet their needs accordingly. Alongside this factor, there are also other hindrances and hurdles that these informal workers have to undergo. One clear example highlighted by Zolinski involves job security. Under this process, it showcases the inability to control their status in a specific employment. These immigrants suffer from the capacity to become terminated anytime or for no apparent reason because there is no binding document that can support their needs accordingly (Zolinski, 2006).  Another apparent hurdle revolves around financial stability. Since some of these occupations (street vending) correspond only to a particular amount and determined by particular seasons and demand, the income gained is not fixed and would be troublesome if a member of the family got sick or hospitalized.

The same problem can be seen with the availability of benefits. Since these employees are not under a specific contract, they cannot acquire specific benefits mandated by law such as health insurance, severance pay, and leaves (Zolinski, 2006). These then leaves employees, particularly in harsh working environments to become susceptible to exploitation and abuse by their supervisors and bosses. Lastly, there are also limited opportunities for these employees to establish and create unions that can seek out their needs. This especially applies since their capacity to become involved is constrained not only by lack of legal documents to support their citizenship but also the limited groups that support their cause accordingly (Zolinski, 2006).

Equally to supplement the needs of these Mexican immigrants, the woman also takes part in the work process. The case of Laura provided by Zolinski is one example of an alternative option that Mexican women can do to substantiate the limited economic support that their husbands can give. By street vending, Laura was not only able to sustain and maintain the needs of her family she was also able to utilize her skills in making her business grow (Zolinski, 2006). These dynamics became essential in addressing the threat when relying on their husbands too much for economic support. Given these, many Mexican immigrant families allow women to seek employment in order to augment important costs associated with living in Sanetech. Seeing this, it also prevents the threats of losing income and having limited opportunities to provide the basic needs of the family (Zolinski, 2006). Thus, these then became an essential component motivating Mexican immigrant women to seek livelihood and income.

In essence, the subsistence process revolves around the ability of the Mexican immigrant man to look for job which is most of the time low-skilled and the extra effort by the wife to find an alternative means to earn income. These then becomes the key component in addressing the needs of the family. Income becomes augmented by the salary earned by the husband and the corresponding money obtained by the woman through her additional work. Such relationship then creates better opportunities for the family to survive. Such aspect then becomes a viable tool for researchers such as Zolinski to understand the value of how immigration can indeed affect value of employment especially among undocumented ones. Regardless of these realities, it is still apparent that the overall condition within Sanetech corresponds to the ability to survive and make ends meet.

2. Promoting advocacy looks into the capacity of organizations and individuals to effectively create patterns that can shape change. This objective then becomes a culminating tool promoting appropriate schemes and endeavors to meet the limited capacity of governments or state to address these issues altogether. Applying this analogy to the case of Latin American Communities, it can be seen that there are indeed several groups that facilitate the active development of these. It includes the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ), the Mexican American National Association or National Latina Organization (MANA), and the Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) (Marquez, 2003).
Each one provides a particular mission and derives meaning in their ability to supplement the needs of the community and furthers appropriate directions in enacting the necessary changes. However, given the four choices available, I do believe that MANA complements the most out of what society needs today. Though its focus may only revolve around Latina women, it can be argued that it has provided the better means and capacity to explore dimensions of providing change among their target group.

Operating on the values and principles of the Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), it can be seen that it is a grassroot organization that correspond to the analysis of value and relevance of proposals given by individuals. Here, they synthesize and incorporate effective methods of analyzing the most viable methods in addressing particular issues relating to poverty alleviation and better ways to support the needs of Mexican immigrant workers (Marquez, 2003).  An important contribution of this organization has been the continued existence of the U.S. Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership in enhancing better border relations with their counterparts (Marquez, 2003). Similarly, it gives valuable attention to independent individuals and groups to bring about transparency in their capacity to function without traces of prejudice and bias. Though this organization may be discredited for applying a faith-based approach in choosing recipients, it has made considerable changes in establishing social connections with the community it caters and providing values that it believes is essential towards human development. It is through this that IAF becomes a viable tool for social change regardless of the fact that they only cater to only several aspects related to establishing development and growth.

Comparing this with the overall setup with the TAMACC, it seeks to represent particular issues present within the Latin American region particularly business development, sustainability, and better working conditions within small-scale business operations. In essence, they serve as lobbyists in promoting and identifying important trends to ensure that legitimate small-business owners create better directions in achieving sustainability and progress (Marquez, 2003). Due to this, the organization provides preference and aid to people having difficulties legally and addressing specific technical standards related to registration, compliance, and adherence to specific changes in mandates. Given these, TAMACC provides emphasis in the value of establishing better communication, monitoring and reporting processes among the businesses it supports. These can then ensure better acquisition of information and compliance to whatever changes may occur in terms of policy and rules (Marquez, 2003).

The SNEEJ as an organization covers a myriad of social issues related to Latin Americans. Given the diversity of its membership and affiliations, it has been able to create directions in handling specific economic and environmental issues (Marquez, 2003). Their key success as a grassroot organization revolves around their capacity to instill change by diversifying and applying its key principles together. This means that their policy revolved around the active interplay among different inputs from its members. It thus created better utilization of ideas that promoted change as it applied to areas such as legislation, application, and effective communication (Marquez, 2003).

Lastly, MANA as an organization addresses personally the importance of Latina women in a global and local environment. Here, their projects and scope are focused mainly on uplifting the status of Latinas by creating effective models related to education, training, and development. This then gives opportunities for recipients to become empowered and resist the challenges of prejudice and discrimination in different areas such as workplace, family, society, etc. (Marquez, 2003). Due to their efforts and contributions, their activities and projects have spread across the globe and has helped reached out to the trends associated with globalization and increased interdependence in many societies.

Analyzing all these organizations, very little criticisms can be made on these organizations other than their scope and ability to function both in the local and international level. In essence, their purpose as a grassroot organization coincides with finding opportunities to impart the necessary change needed. The choice of choosing MANA to join coincides with my personal values and corresponding to the value of how Latina women have evolved from its traditional notions. For one, I do believe that SNEEJ is doing a good job in establishing its purpose as an organization. However, I do feel that their scope is too vague to supplement what the community needs the most. Since there are numerous social problems associated with the Latin American society, their ability to provide change would only be limited in a structural level rather on an individual level.

For the part of TAMAAC, it can be argued that it remains too focused mainly among Latin American business owners. Since this organization may indeed have brought about economic growth and stability, it lacks the capacity to fully center on other aspects that Latin Americans need in order to develop. Such capacity and associated technicalities may prove to be difficult to entertain especially if one is either not interested in doing business or does not know anything about it. In critiquing IAF, it can be seen that as a group, they have provided the inputs in creating unity amidst the diversity happening. However, its faith-based purpose and values also connote challenges and struggles that they have to face. For one, the value of affiliations becomes primary and undermines the value of advocacy as prerequisite for such.

Seeing this, I do believe that MANA coincides with my personal values and ideals. Since its inception, it has provided empowerment towards Latina women. It was able to help create transcendence from the traditional notions of women and fought for equality and the elimination of discrimination. At the same time, by supplementing these endeavors with sufficient training, education, and facilitation, it was able to create a lasting relationship with its recipients and provided the leverage towards meeting the demands of todays society. Such facet then coincides with what I believe the role of women should be in the 21st century.

During the past fifty years, the development process of cities has been remarkable in Latin America. The rate of urbanization was very rapid and in the first decade of 19th century there were large cities that sprang up in Latin America, such as Buenos Aires in Argentina and Lima city in Peru. Research indicates that the rapid growth of cities was significant in the years between 1930 and 1970(Joseph and Szuchman, 1948).

The socio-economic reasons that led to growth of cities like Buenos Aires in Argentina include the following The high rate of immigrants from different parts of the world to Argentina was one of the reasons behind the growth of Buenos Aires because immigrants provided cheap labor in this city which helped increase the volume of production for goods produced for home consumption and export (Wanda, 2010). Research shows that some of the immigrants remained in Argentina and started small scale business projects, shop keeping and others became liberal professionals as some served as office workers. This enabled immigrants to have a steady source of income that was essential for sustaining their families. Evidence has it that the childrens of some immigrants in the city of Buenos Aires climbed ladders in the economic sphere through setting up larger industries that generated high revenue to the city  (Wanda, 2010).

Slaves in Buenos Aires played a big role toward the growth of the city since they were greatly involved in income generating activities and they as well provided slave labor to colonial landowners. The land owners used the cheap labor offered by slaves to enrich themselves and eventually channeled their abnormal profits into their business, thereby leading to the evolution of the city (Joseph and Szuchman, 1948).

The period between 1880 and 1990, Argentina witnessed faster growth of its cities as a result of rapid expansion of foreign investment in infrastructure and agriculture. The introduction of new methods of agriculture and incorporating Argentina in the world economy enabled the city to realize tremendous level of growth, since high level of investment was realized in areas like rail roads and airports so as to facilitate easier transportation of agricultural products into world markets. The improved rail roads and airports facilitated the movement of both people and produced goods to areas of need this led to higher overflow of finance into the country that was used to stimulate growth of Buenos Aires (B.W.H.A, 2009). The city of Buenos Aires was encircled by huge fertile land that promoted agricultural activities within the area. Similarly, the city registered tremendous growth because it acted as a midpoint of transporting agricultural goods to the world market. The presence of refrigerated ships significantly amplified its capacity to ship beef to distant places in its original state and above all Buenos Aires had the largest clothing industry which had high rate of financial returns to the city that enhanced its tremendous growth of in the 19th century. The clothing industry provided jobs to many people thereby reducing the rate of unemployment (Glaser, 2009). Its therefore pertinent to note that the reemergence of Buenos Aires was as a result of multiplicity of factors as above discussed.

The growth of Lima began taking position during the 19th century, the time when Peru was recovering from destructive war of pacific that had diverse negative consequences. The socio-economic reasons behind the growth of Lima city were as follows The growth of this city was attributed to protection of the industry where agriculture, commerce in the city existed as monopoly. This enabled the industrial sector to obtain high interests on its capital. The capitalist and industrialist in their bid to achieve their aims requested for strong importation tariffs so as to prevent similar products from being imported into the country. This monopoly industry in Lima comprised of well established financial bankers, collectors, lenders and import houses that were very powerful and difficult to destroy. The industrial sector in Lima therefore, was significant in the growth of the city (Joseph and Szuchman, 1948).

Migration of individuals from rural settings to urban areas and more specifically Lima city, as a result of tendency of people to follow their family, development of migration organization among others enabled provision of labor to industries within the city which increased the level of output. In 1950, the growth trends of the city accelerated due to expansion of the fishing industry and thus Peru started to industrialize its economy in a strong-minded way. Foreigners therefore played a vital role in the Peru economy, as they exploited the natural resources hence escalating the export volume which generated a lot of money to the country, resulting to the growth of Lima (Glaeser, 2009).

An internal population change in Peru from seven million to twenty million by 1985 was essential for the rise of Lima city since the high population served as a stable source of labor to the city. Research shows that by 1985 half of the seven million people in Lima were living in informal houses and no less than half of the population was either deployed in informal sector.

Lima city was also able to realize faster rates of growth because of existence of clever contractors and auctioneers who observed the small mishaps of things and made analysis of all officials and employees in the country. This made workers to observe high level of professionalism free from corruption, bribery and other sorts of injustices. Those found violating the law were to face the long hand of the law. This made all workers to be dedicated, thereby steering the growth of Lima city (Glaeser, 2009).

Phantom Discourse is a short theatrical play that was written and directed by Adrian Hulberto Molina. Molina decided to pursue his goal of writing the play at the time when he was realized that he was not actually bent on pursuing a career in law although he was already about to graduate from the program with only a semester left.  Being a Chicano, Molinas pride for his race was his inspiration in writing down the entire play. Being an activist, his adherence to the cause of social justice, equality, and freedom was the motivation that led him to complete the script and to actually produce and direct the play.  As someone who wishes to see people, not just touched, but moved by the message of the play, Molina wrote it in the manner that is easily understood.

As the Phantom Discourse script suggests, the production is not grandiose. There is virtually no need for intricate backdrops and lightings.  The characters costumes are to be kept simple but effective enough in portraying messages just by its appearance alone.  It might be because of Molinas minimalist tendencies in art but it is obvious that he found the message too important to be just drowned by the glaring visuals provided by a sophisticated costumes and stage design.  The gist of the play revolved around two factors that he dealt with at the time when he began writing it.  One was the memory of his deceased close friend who inspired him to become aware not just of his intellectual self but of the plight of others. The other was his realization that the legal profession was not the path he should follow.

The plot of the play, in fact, provides the audience the idea of the dilemmas that the author went through.  Through the characters acting and words, they come to understand every angle of the contradictions that troubled Molina.  Ultimately, they also witness how the author finally arrived at a decision that would dictate the manner that he will live his life without compromising his principles.

Phantom Discourse correctly points out the issues that haunted Americas Chicano communities.  These are the same issues that prompted the Chicano movement that was at its strongest in the sixties and seventies.  Through the poems recited by Chicanisma or Old School, two characters in the play that hold strongly to the ideals of the Chicano movement, the issues of lack of educational opportunities, decent jobs and wages, and the various forms of injustice, including racial discrimination are discussed.  A number of lines from poem I am Joaquin by Corky Gonzales, on the other hand, are recited by Old School to express how the Chicano communities of the past decades began to grasp their own sense of identity as a distinct race with its own rich culture and history.  Apparently, this is a call for Chicanos of today to continue the struggle for equality and social justice.

However, the main conflict of the play was not really on the contradictions between the Chicano population and government or corporate policies that put them at a disadvantage.  It is the contradiction that the younger generation of Chicanos that is highlighted the most.  Through the character of New School, it portrays the dilemma they face and must overcome.  They have to choose between to follow the path of activism and continue the struggle started by the generation of their parents or to seek accommodation in the system that their parents wanted to change.  New School wants to see social change achieved too but he has grown cynical about the struggle.  Aptly representing the wavering attitude of his generation, he entertains joining the corporate world and tries getting rich through the system he was a rabid critic of.  However, choosing the easier and more individualist path of alleviating himself by succumbing to the temptations of the corporate world is not easy.  He is Chicano, first and foremost, and turning back from the struggle for social justice and equality means running away from his origin and denying his identity.  At the end of the play, however, New School eventually decided to set aside his personal interests for the good of the community which he belonged and fought for.

The play did not limit itself to the presentation of the predicaments being experienced by the Chicano of the 21st century.   The enticement of the Americas capitalist serve yourself and get rich mentality may have become more irresistible, especially when a token number of Latinos, who have made it to societys upper crust, are being underscored by media.  However, the majority of the Chicano communities are still suffering from economic backwardness while only a few Americans are basking in affluence.  Because of this, the Chicanos will always have basis to advance their movement for social, justice, freedom, and equality.  In the words of La Muerte, one of the plays important characters, You must understand, my friends, that the struggle never dies. (Scene 3)

The perseverance and determination in the Chicanos struggle for identity and social justice may remain unchanged even in these contemporary times.  The new generation of Chicanos, most of who were not born yet when the movement was at its peak, will continue to follow the footsteps of their predecessors.  This is because the same problems beset American society, the same issues that adversely affect the Chicanos and all the other minorities in the country.  The play also pointed out that despite the overwhelming ideological influence of consumerist America, the Chicanos have been able to preserve their own distinct cultural identity.  In fact, they have enriched their own dialect and influenced the English language too.
While the Chicano cause may be carried onward by the younger generation, there will be adjustments in the methodologies applied.  This is to attune the strategies for achieving its objectives with the particular conditions of the present times.  Such strategies will be the distinguishing mark of the current crop of activists from the Chicano youth.  They will not differ at all from their militant predecessors of the past decades in terms of principles but they will be more creative in raising the political consciousness, in organizing, and in mobilizing the people.

The Phantom Discourse, a self-published play by Adrian Molina (Molina, A. 2007) is an allegorical portrayal of the challenges of minorities, in particular Mexicans, in America. The lead character is New School, a young Mexican who is at a crossroads of his life. The entire play centers on the struggles of New School with issues and stigmas that surround his very heritage. The three other principal characters in the play are La Muerte (Death), Old School, and Chicanisma. Each of them brings in a different aspect of Mexican life in America. La Muerte is a depiction of how death is viewed by Pre-Columbian Mexico (Molina, A. 2007). As oppose to the dark and cold illustration of death, La Muerte is positive, often bubbly and most definitely attached to life. Old School represents the more skeptical aspect of minorities towards the system. Chicanisma, from the name alone, symbolizes the fight of minorities to preserve their culture amidst the strong influences of their new surroundings. Chicanisma is a term used to describe this activist movement.

The play openly discusses the issues that minorities have to overcome in a different world from where they come from. It puts to light the stereotyping of Mexicans in America and how difficult it is to rise above its limiting effects.

Poverty, discrimination, and the effort to achieve a sense of identity are highlighted. For years Mexicans have been labeled unfairly. They are looked upon as an uneducated group that brings forth nothing but trouble. They are always associated with gangs, drugs, and violence. And while some of these things are unfortunately true, they have been unfairly generalized. This generalization is what the  new  Mexicans have to fight against.

In this play New School is portrayed as a young Mexican with a bright future. He recently graduated from Law School. He actively helps in his community. He teaches the young and enlightens them toward better choices. However New School has to deal with the internal prodding of his past. His past as characterized by Old School is not really his personal past but it is the deeply rooted image of his culture. Old School simply means the old ways of doing things. In the fight of minorities it means actively going against the system. It is rebelling against the Institution, and consistently combating for self-identity and acceptance. This is how the old used to do it.

New School is the Mexican of the 21st century. He is probably the first in his family to have a good education. He is probably the only one with a great future. However he is still viewed as a  Chicano  with all the negativity of this term.

New School does not only have to contend with the  white man  who still places him in the mold of the old. His challenge also comes from his very own people who question his motives and choices. He is labeled as a  sell-out . In their eyes New School has forgotten the fight for respect and credence.

Young Mexicans today are given more opportunities to improve their lives. They no longer have to fall prey to the notions of the past. However, young Mexicans must build confidence within themselves. This is one of the issues New School was fighting against in the play. Instead of using his past as building block for his future, he is left confused with what to do with it.

Being a minority is always going to be difficult. It does not matter whether Mexican, African American, or Asian. The obstacles are the same and the trials equally tough. If there is one lesson to be learned from the  Phantom Discourse  it is that people make their own future. It does not matter where we came from. What matters is that we know who we are, what we are capable of, and where we want to go.

Young Mexicans have more choices today. The keys to making the right decision are first knowing and accepting their heritage, and second using them as foundation for the future. The fight continues for a sense of identity and it should always begin with embracing the past.

The American nation has various Hispanic groups. Each of these groups boasts of its own culture and social aspects. The Hispanic groups differ mainly in their ease of assimilation into the mainstream culture (Tate, 2008). Another common difference is their level of entrepreneurial investment as well as their numbers in the U.S. However, all these Hispanic American ethnic groups have a number of similarities. They use Spanish as their primary communication language. Still, these ethnic groups are predominantly Roman Catholics (Tate, 2008).

This essay is a discussion of four Hispanic American groups namely Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, and the Central Americans citing their cultural diversity. The paper identifies the linguistic, political, social, economic, religious, and familial conventions andor statuses of these four Hispanic American groups. A summary of the similarities and differences among these groups is also given.

The Mexican Americans form the largest Hispanic group in living in United States forming an estimated over 59 percent of the Hispanic American population (Ramirez, 2004). This is approximated to be 9 percent of the overall American population. This group has Spanish as its common communication language (Nostrand, 2005). Nevertheless, the introduction of bilingual education in the community has seen their second and further generation quite fluent in English speaking. This has been further triggered by the desire to realizing a competitive position in the American nation. Being the largest Hispanic American group living in the United States, the Mexican Americans are quite influential in the American politics (Ramirez, 2004).

Economically, Mexican Americans enjoy a large pool of skills and qualified professionals in almost every job field (Schaefer, 2006). This is particularly attributed to its large population. Indeed, this makes its members to competitively secure jobs in any employment sector including federal government offices. According to available statistics however, the Mexican American have not been quite active in business investments (Tate, 2008). This can be seen as the reason why most members of this group are living in poverty. In terms of religious involvements, the group is predominantly Roman Catholic believers (Tate, 2008). Nevertheless,
some of its population practice protestant faith.

Mexican Americans still hold onto their family unity culture. The group believes in respect for family as their main social structure (Schaefer, 2006). Due to their value for family unit, the Mexican Americans demonstrate a communal form of family by valuing their extended family members as their immediate family members. However, this is currently changing following economic hardships and evident assimilation by some of its members into the mainstream culture. Still on family relations, Mexican American men were traditionally seen as the breadwinners and final decision makers in the family (Schaefer, 2006).

Another group is the Puerto Ricans which is the second largest comprising an approximated 10 percent of the Hispanic Americans population (Ramirez, 2004). This group is legally recognized as citizens of America by virtue of hailing from Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of America (Ramirez, 2004). Due to this reason, this Hispanic group is enjoys freedom of movement into America. Being a commonwealth, most of its members are quite fluent in speaking English thus giving them a competitive advantage compared to other groups. This is further promoted by the fact that English is usually taught in elementary classes. Nevertheless, Spanish is their primary communication language.

Politically, Puerto Ricans are legally not allowed to participate in presidential elections (Nostrand, 2005). They are however free to actively participate in all other politics of the U.S. The Puerto Ricans group is mainly made up of Roman Catholic believers. However, other religions such as Methodist and Baptist church believers and Muslims among others are still common. The Puerto Ricans Hispanic American group is economically well off (Schaefer, 2006). This is closely attributed to the fact that they are legally exempted of remitting taxes to the federal government. Another reason is their automatic entitlement to American citizenship as well as their high degree of fluency in speaking English which gives them a competitive advantage in the American job market.

The group has a strong family bond. This is best evident from their communal way of life (Tate, 2008). The group has indeed been identified as the friendliest of all Hispanic American groups. Such could be attributed to their strong value for family values. Another unique family feature common with the Puerto Ricans is that they have the lowest divorce and abortion rates (Schaefer, 2006). This has been associated with not only their strong family values but also the strong religious background.

The third Hispanic American group to be discussed is the Cuban Americans. This group is estimated to make about 4 percent of the Hispanic American population (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006). However, this group has been marked with high levels of assimilation into the mainstream culture. Such high rates have been closely attributed to their desire to gain a competitive advantage in the American economic market. Nevertheless, such assimilation has never broken the strong family bonding marked with Cuban American people as can be evident from their treasure in extended families and community unity (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006).

The Cuban Americans have Spanish as their major communication language (Tate, 2008). However, due to their desire to gain a competitive advantage in the job and business sector, coupled with the advantage brought by the introduction of bilingual education, many of them particularly second and further generations are very fluent in English speaking (Tate, 2008). In the political arena, this group is allowed under the American constitutional to enjoy all political rights. The group is indeed allowed to nominate and vote for their own political leaders. As evident from their current political representative in the congress, Cuban Americans mainly practice conservative politics.

Cuban Americans have invested much of their efforts in establishing businesses in a bid to realizing their forefathers dreams of coming for the American dream (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006). This is best portrayed by accessing how the group has converted Miami, their main homeland, into a modern city. Still, by making Miami a city of Hispanic favorite, the Cuban American portrays how strongly they treasure their Hispanic culture. On religion, the group is dominated by Roman Catholics (Nostrand, 2005). However, there are some members who belief in other religions such as protestants, Muslims and Hindus. Worse still is the fact that some Cuban Americans are evidently non-believers particularly second and further generations.

The fourth is the Central Americans which has been estimated to form about 5.1 percent of the Hispanic American population (Ramirez, 2004). This group is has been marked with many illegal immigrants especially the Salvadorians. The groups primary communication language is Spanish. Nevertheless, due to their illegal status, the group members have struggled much to speak English in the quest of realizing their dreams. In the political front, the bigger population of the Central American group is not involved in active politics of the U.S. This is due to lack of recognition by the American constitution as well as the illegal immigration status (Tate, 2008).

Central Americans are one of the poorest Hispanic American groups. Existing statistics clearly show that the group has not been actively involved in entrepreneurial activities (Ramirez, 2004). Such could be attributed first to the fact that most of them are illegally living in the U.S. Due to this they do not have any political power influence to protect them. The group has also been found to be quite conservative, a factor which compromises their acceptance in job market. Marked with low levels of education, its members can rarely of highly paying jobs.

Religiously, central Americans are predominantly Roman Catholics (Tate, 2008). There however exist some protestant believers in this community. Just like other Hispanic American groups, Central Americans have a strong family bond which is evidently marked with big families (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006). Nevertheless, the harsh economic conditions facing the community are continuously witnessing the emergence of smaller family units among this group. A clear evidence of the groups treasure on family unity is the investment attitude Central Americans have. They make investments back home despite their poor living standards in the US.

In conclusion, it is quite evident that Hispanic groups share many in common. First, they all use Spanish as their primary communication language (Ramirez, 2004). They share a common religious belief as they are predominantly Roman Catholic as well as having a strong treasure in communal living.

All in all, the groups have differences in their levels of assimilation into the mainstream with Cuban Americans leading the list. On investment, the Central American have rarely engaged in entrepreneurial activities unlike other groups. The last difference is the fact that all these groups do not share equal legal recognition in American. Cuban Americans enjoy all constitutional rights just like other Americans contrary to Central Americans.

What tool did the Mexican American use in fronting for the rights and how effective did the tool serve them

What mandate did the Industrial Foundation use to change the economic status of the Mexican Americans

Do what extend was there difficulties for the Mexican Americans to play any important role in their own development

Do what extend was did the Mexican Americans segregate the non Mexican Americans from their activities social and political activities

After attainment of freedom by the Mexican Americans how effective did they use the freedom and to what extend did they practice some democracy.

As is in most liberalization prospects, the Mexican Americans used political movement as a tool to front for their social, economic and political liberalization. The Mexican Americans formed the industrial area foundation which was used as a tool for liberation. To the very extend of its attainment of economic and political freedom lies the measure of the success.

The industrial area foundation used the resources within the disposal of the Mexican Americans to remove them from the doldrums of poverty, the basis on which the Industrial Area Foundation laid foundation was so strong and with such a target that could not miss support, unless they changed the founding strategy mobilizing resources for the low income Mexican Americans. The Industrial Area Foundation was so true to their objectives and remained within its confines. The role the Industrial Area Foundation played in the lives of the Mexican American was astoundingly visible from afar. Industrial Area Foundation used the very limited resources within its disposal and empowered the poor than the elite could accept. The outfit oversaw the attainment of the job creation, reforms in education, healthcare and a housing that was affordable to all (Benjamin Marquez Pp 65).

While there were a number of obstacles from without the Mexican American community, particular segregation, the Industrial Area Foundation created an investment fund that late transformed the lives of many. Their believe in the counter productivity of racism remained true to them and their believe was that both the poor and the rich had common interests. Democracy was highly upheld. Within this mandate they chose one of their own who was in charge of their decision making and was entrusted with all the resources at the disposal of the community. However these sources of embodiment were not allowed to embrace doctrines that were segregative in orientation. In this rare democracy there was real flow of power from below upwards.

In pursuit of their cardinal objects, the Mexican Americans came face to face with the general change of political tact by their own. After leaders were chosen, they started exhibiting trait that they themselves had wanted to wit out. Leaders wanted to ignore the non Mexican Americans. This was a real challenge to the fight for freedom of the Mexican American. For ultimately, there need to have stood their ground to the very last bit.

In the recent past, language acquisition is a concept that has increasingly dominated the political and educational spheres in America. This can be attributed to the critical role that it plays in cohesive interaction at different levels.

Based on credible field researches conducted in the US, Crawford contends that bilingualism in education is very beneficial to the minority groups. He decries the media concerns that posit that this contributes to increased drop out rates of this population from learning institutions. According to him, other independent factors that stem from economic and social issues can be implicated for the increased drop out cases. In particular, he cites shortage of staff as the main reason undermining the effectiveness of bilingual education.
However, Frerking (2003) reports that bilingual education deprives the natives of an opportunity to secure jobs in future. This is because most colleges and jobs require fluency in English. Lack of sound college education makes the natives to assume less rewarding menial jobs.  Irrespective of the fact that the law provides bilingual education alternative in public schools, Frerking (2003) asserts that most Latino parents are making follow ups to ensure that heir children are enrolled in English only classes.

With regard to bilingualism and politics, Rodriguez (1998) argues that bilingualism is closely associated with racism. Thus anti immigrants and conservatives are likely to support employment of English as a sole language than their Latino and liberal counterparts. In addition, he indicates that despite the continued increase of the Latino population in the country, they are underrepresented in the national electorate and major parties frequently omit them from the voting calculus. Nevertheless there are fears that this is likely to change as more Latinos have applied for citizenship.

Perhaps the most recent developments with regards to bilingualism and politics are presented by the Associate Press (2007) that quotes the former house speaker Newt Gingrich who contended that bilingualism is a language of persons residing in informal areas.. He then requested the government to stop printing the ballot papers in various languages and contended that English needs to be made a common language in this country.