Local leaders gather to share facts and dismiss misconceptions about Latinos
North Carolina non-profit advocacy and public policy organization, El Pueblo Inc., has been dedicated strengthening the Latino Community since its inception in 1994.
From humble beginnings in Chapel Hill, NC to the nationally recognized advocacy organization that sits in North Carolina’s capitol city today, El Pueblo Inc. has accomplished their mission by bringing people together, each year, at their annual cultural festival, La Fiesta del Pueblo, and through leadership development, proactive and direct advocacy, education, and promotion of cross-cultural understanding in partnerships at the local, state, and national levels.
I have been involved with El Pueblo Inc. in one way or another since 1999 and respect the work that they do to advocate on behalf of North Carolina’s growing Hispanic population.
As the immigration debate festers at local and state levels and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill remains introduced but not yet approved at the U.S. Congress level, El Pueblo’s Advocacy Director, Irene Godinez joined other NC Latino advocates and residents, Mary Mountcastle, Trustee of Z.Smith Reynolds, Dan Hudgins, UNC-CH School of Social Work, Daniel Kight, Duke Master of Public Policy Graduate join to speak up in support of the Latino and Immigrant communities of this state.
Here are some of the points they had to share:
•Significant Economic Contribution: Between 1995 and 2000 North Carolina had one of the fastest-growing Latino populations in the nation owing to the fact that it had a booming economy and a wealth of opportunities. An economic study by the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprises at UNC-Chapel Hill from 2006 indicated that the Latino population contributed to the state’s economic prosperity with more than $9 billion through its purchases, taxes and labor. The Latino community has proven to be vital for the state’s continued growth. “It is time that fellow North Carolinians acknowledge and accept the new community found within our state and seek policies that will integrate the Latino community—immigrant and non-immigrant alike—instead of driving them into the shadows with short-sighted policies” said Godínez.
•Considerable military participation: Immigrants contribute to every facet of American life, including its military. According to a report presented to Congress, “As of February 2003, there were 37,000 noncitizens serving in active duty in the U.S. armed forces, almost 12,000 foreign nationals serving in the selected reserves, and another 8,000 serving in the inactive National Guard and ready reserves .” As a state with some of the largest military bases, it is important that we highlight and recognize the sacrifices that immigrant families also contribute for these United States and continue to offer opportunities for them to give back to this state and nation.
•Children of immigrants bicultural: Often, it is the children of immigrants that become the cultural brokers for their families and communities as they are skilled, bilingual, bicultural individuals. With each generation that passes, Latinos become more integrated in mainstream America. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, “of adult first-generation Latinos, just 23% say they can carry on a conversation in English very well. That share rises sharply, to 88%, among the second generation of adults, and to 94% among the third and higher generations.”
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader or email.
Subscribe to RSS
It disturbs me that only 88% of second generation Latinos and only 94% of the third generation can carry on a conversation in English! Second generation people are BORN in the U.S. English, outside of their birth home, should be the language they hear the most. Third generation should be English language first from birth, if they live, continuously, in the U.S.