1. Mexican-Americans
The first Mexican-Americans became Americans with the Annexation of the Southwest and part of the Northwest after the Mexican-American war
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848
Under the treaty the new Americans were guaranteed rights to property and their cultural traditions.
The loss of land and the lack of legal protection after the treaty
Land conflict between Anglo ranchers and Mexican-American ranchers
Mexican-Americans became outsiders in their own land

2. Immigrant Experience
Immigration from Mexico has been continuous in part because of the proximity of the two borders
Lack of restrictive immigration policy directed towards Mexicans until the second half of this century
The proximity of the two countries and the maintenance of cultural ties.
Mexican-American immigration both documented and undocumented is a function of a combination of push and pull factors
Mexican Revolution and conflict and immigration
Mexican immigration has been tied closely to the economies of Mexico and the United States

3. Immigrant Experience Agribusiness interests
Migration patterns to the Midwest and elsewhere
Population growth and immigration
The Great Depression of the 1930’s and the push for repatriation
The economic effect and personal impact of repatriation on Mexican-Americans
Demand for labor during World War II and the los braceros program
Conflict between the braceros workers and Mexican-American workers
Economic competition for jobs and Special Forces or Operation Wetback - and undocumented workers from Mexico

5. The Economic Picture The culture of poverty
Developed by Oscar Lewis
Cultural traits as the cause of poverty
Blaming the victim
César Chavez and migrant farm workers movement
Economic and social conditions

6. Political Organization
La Raza - pride in one’s Spanish, Native American and Mexican heritage.
Texas La Raza Unida Party

7. Political Organization
Chicanismo - emerged in part among Mexican-American college students during the 1960’s
Chicanismo was influenced by the civil rights movement
Chicanismo - emphasized political self determination and ethnic pride

8. Political Organization
Reies Lopez Tijerina - in 1963 formed the Alianza Federal de Mercedes (Federal Alliance of Land Grants)
Purpose of the organization was to recover lost land
In 1967 Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund was formed (MALDEF)
Pursue issues through the courts

9. Puerto Ricans
Puerto Rico was annexed by the United States from Spain after the the Spanish-American War of 1898
Puerto Rico has been a United States colony since 1898 (Commonwealth Status since 1948)
Puerto Ricans have been subjected to bureaucratic (Political) control by the United States

10. Puerto Ricans Initial colonial policy had a devastating effect on
Language
Puerto Rican cultural institutions
Jones Act of 1917 and United States citizenship
Have most rights except do not pay federal income taxes and do not vote for President or have voting members to Congress/Senate
In 1948 it became a commonwealth

11. Island and the Mainland
A number of push and pull factors have led to migration from the Island to the mainland
Economic underdevelopment and the pull of jobs on the mainland
Farm labor contracts
Overpopulation
Cheap airfares
Puerto Rican communities (New York City) on the mainland

12. Island and the Mainland
Neoricans - term used by The Islanders to refer to Puerto Ricans that have lived in New York
Neoricans are often better educated and have more money than Puerto Ricans from the Island
Often resented by long time Islanders

13. Figure 10-2 Intergroup Relations Continuum

14. Island of Puerto Rico Commonwealth status and neocolonialism
Issues of Statehood and Self-Rule
In 1998 in the last vote over the issue 50% favored commonwealth status , 47% statehood and 3% favored independence
Only Puerto Ricans on the Island may vote
The debate goes on….

15. Social Construction of Race
Color gradient among Puerto Ricans
Adapting to the meaning of race between the Island and the Mainland
On the Island factors such as social class determine race
On the mainland race is more likely to determine social class
NFTA and growing competition with Mexico and Canada for United States dollars

16. Mexican-Americans and Puerto Ricans Today
Educational status and issues
Increasing segregation
1. Function of residential segregation in large metropolitan areas
2. Increase in population as desegregation movement began to decline
3. Desegregated schools have become re-segregated

17. Education Isolation in the classroom because of tracking
(tracking is placing students in specific classes or curriculum groups on the basis of testing or other measures)
Educational effect of tracking
Bilingual educational programs
Higher education
Adjusting to college and campus life dominated by Whites
Dealing with prejudice
Economic cost of college

18. Family Emphasis on Familism
1. Godparent - Godchild relationship
2. Intrafinancial responsibility
3. Inclusion of other family relatives in family roles
4. Involvement of the elderly
Upward mobility and poverty have led to changes in familism and family roles

19. Healthcare Hispanic community lack of access to healthcare resources
Function of poverty and employment patterns
Use of folk practitioners - traditional folk remedies or curanderismo
Form of holistic medicine

20. Figure 10-3 Religious Preferences

21. Religion
Religion is the most important formal organization in the Hispanic community
Roman Catholic church
Early on, took an assimilation role
Today, more community oriented
Hispanic role in the church has grown
Worship (more expressive)
Hispanics underrepresented in the clergy
Pentecostalism—Evangelical Christianity within Hispanic American communities