Q1.) Culture takes time to change, as does the human geography it gives rise to and the ethnic implications diffused by the group which influences it. The significant economic, technological and demographic changes in the United States since the Second World War have led to the persistence of the many examples of new cultural landscapes there. These economic and technological developments resulted in large-scale immigrations which in turn fueled the growth of population and modification of the American society in crucial ways, producing varied needs and increased aspirations. During this post-war era, there was the emergence of a bigger African-American middle class. Leadership in a global economy that was growing enabled a new economic growth which endorsed these changes. Some adverse changes happened during this era as this nation positioned itself in global matters while harboring significant domestic and global social, political and economic challenges.
For the most people of color, social and economic disparities with whites were blown up big inner cities and the communities surrounding them. Although suburbanization had started before the Second World War, it increased in the era after this war, and it led to the growth of racial segregation and forced the worlds of whites and blacks far much apart. The Great Migration, which lasted until 1970, brought with it millions of extra-African Americans to western and northern cities; and the transformation of the economy left very many jobless. There was increased racial strife. The unequal distribution of resources, which has caused poverty and caused poor living conditions and deterioration of neighborhoods, was the major consequence of these culturally-based landscape patterns in the cities of America. Immigrants were discriminated into neighborhoods that had high-risk ethnicity, for instance, run-down apartments of the City of New York.
Latin Americans and Asians were the most recent immigrants. Two economic groups were represented by Asians and Latin Americans: those with social and economic capital in hand, and those engulfed by poverty with little skills. A much more heterogeneous circle of Latin and Asian cultures were also represented by these immigrants, from various ancestral homes and speaking very many languages. Due to this growing economic and cultural diversity, some present-day immigrants are living in ethnic territories. The American history of racial discrimination and ethnicity has complicated modern-day assimilation of immigrants in many ways, as has the massive inflow of illegal immigrants that lead to the view that alterations in ethnic and racial composition add up to a siege of the culture of America.
Racial prejudice has been prevalent in the United States, whereby some ethnic groups consider themselves more superior than others. The Asian Americans are seen as the most superior due to their high levels of education and economic and social positions in the society. African Americans are considered the most inferior of the ethnic groups as they have a larger population of uneducated and poor people. This is seen through the social norms and contexts where the African Americans are perceived to be more inferior beings through the mode of treatment.
Therefore, since immigration is reshaping urban America, urban politics are most likely going to be revolving around issues of ethnicity and race. There is increased competition for political jobs and power between immigrants and blacks. The population of Latinos, which is growing at a faster rate than blacks and non-Latino whites, Latinos might become the ethnic or racial group that will dominate in many cities.
Q2.) The Socioeconomic Status of Hispanic Americans
Hispanic Americans make up a fast-growing ethnic minority. Statistics depict that the population of the Latino has increased by 58 % between the years 1990 and 2000, which is over four times the rate of growth in the total population of the United States. The cause of this rapid expansion in population is a combination of a high birth rate and continued massive immigration. Furthermore, they make up a comparatively young population, with the median age being 27, compared to 40 for the rest of the population. Despite their rapid growth in population, Hispanic Americans are concentrated in just four states namely; Texas, New York, Florida, and California.
Apparently, Hispanic Americans occupy an intermediary place, in other societal aspects; second to Euro-Americans, although in many ways beyond African Americans. In the level of economic prosperity, they have accomplished and are following in the paths to upward mobility. Nevertheless, Hispanic American is category made up of some distinct groups. Thus, there exist significant differences among them.
The high poverty rates and low incomes of Latinos, especially Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Mexicans, show their lower professional levels. Latinos are overrepresented in the lower-status occupational categories and underrepresented in the higher ones, except for South Americans and Cubans. Only 17% of Hispanics hold managerial positions while almost 38% of non-Hispanics are. As compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics also show high rates of unemployment. South Americans show significantly higher statuses on several measures of education, income, and occupation. The recent entry of Latinos into the labor force and their low education levels account for their low occupation and revenue levels of, although there is historical employment discrimination against them. Given their relatively lower levels of education, Latinos have been hardly hit by the ever widening gap between those with higher levels of education and those lacking. The widening gap is due to the inaccess to learning and has characterized the Latinos considerably.
Lower educational attainment is apparently the major factor contributing to the lower earnings and occupational status among Hispanic Americans. Compared with 89% of non-Hispanic whites, only 60% of Hispanic Americans 25 years and above can boast completing high school. Furthermore, the rate of dropout among Latinos is substantially higher (24%) compared to those of both blacks (12%) and whites (7%). The reasons connected to the attainment of lower education are the language challenges these Latino students face at school and their cultural values, which do not promote successful school performance.
However, a particular case has been seen in Cubans, who unlike other Latinos, have adapted well to the American economic system. There has been a phenomenal rise in socioeconomic status of the modern-day Cuban community over a short period, which is unmatched by any other ethnic group in American history. Their levels of education and income are higher, they have lower rates of unemployment, and they are represented well across the scope of occupation. The reason for this is that the first wave of Cuban immigrants to the U.S. brought with them a noticeably different background class from that of other Latinos. Cubans in America radically differ in their social origins from most other Hispanics. Early Cuban immigrants, unlike Puerto Ricans and Mexicans, might have been well educated and occupationally successful prior to their emigration. Their higher levels of education and skill have accounted for their speedy upward mobility in the U.S. This has been accustomed through the increase in the educational facilities and developmental growth in the face of institutions of higher learning and education.
