In the southwest United States, persons of Latino origin have probably had more influence in settling the region than anyone else. You never have to look far to see the stamp these neighbors have embellished on American culture, from the names of big cities and small towns, famous thoroughfares and little roadways and even historic houses of worship that dot California.
As the end of Hispanic Heritage Month nears, a brief review of this historic and burgeoning population can include famous politicians and entertainers, trend-setting professionals in medicine and law, many of our favorite sports stars, and those new families to the area struggling to find a pathway toward the American Dream while maintaining roots to their native land.
Originally, America’s tribute to persons of Latino origin lasted only one week. That was 45 years ago when business leaders and politicians saw this vibrant, ever-present working and voting block as representing a thriving part of a diverse nation. Today’s period from mid-September (the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean) through mid-October provides much more recognition of how Latino persons have enriched the nation’s character. The roots trace back many generations, as well as to include those who have just begun their journey toward a better life for themselves and a more enriching future for their children.
“Hispanic persons have come to represent the spirit of our nation,” said President Barack Obama last month. “They have served honorably in our military … they have transformed industries with new ideas … they have led and inspired movements that have made our nation more equal and more just. We recognize that when we lift up the Hispanic community, we strengthen our nation.”
Reshaping the Antelope Valley
Latino families comprise a considerable portion of the population in the Antelope Valley (54.4 percent of households in Palmdale, 38 percent in Lancaster), and for the past 30 years these individuals have greatly transformed what were once called “bedroom communities” in north Los Angeles County into one of the nation’s most diverse and increasingly prosperous regions. In Los Angeles County, Hispanics comprise 48.3 percent of residents (figures taken from the 2010 U.S. Census) and own about 21.6 percent of county businesses. The Hispanic Research Center in Washington, D.C., found in 2012 that there were 2.8 million Hispanic businesses nationally that generated more than $355 billion in gross receipts/sales. Hispanic businesses employed 2.1 million workers with a payroll exceeding $58 billion.
California, in 2012, saw 725,000 Latino-owned businesses, while Los Angeles County that year was home to more than 265,000 such businesses. Further, the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2012 reported that Latino-owned businesses in Los Angeles County generated in excess of $36 billion in revenue, with a payroll surpassing $5.5 billion. Today there are more than 160,000 employees working for Latino-owned businesses in the county.
Ten years ago, the Department of Commerce reported that the average income of the county’s Latino households was just over $34,000 per year—now it’s more than $41,000 and rising. The average median income for American families last year, in general, was $51,900 which represented an 8 percent reduction before the start of the Great Recession. Last year, Latino households were America’s only group to see its median income actually rise at 3.5 percent, up considerably from $37,000 at the start of the Great Recession in late 2008.
How does a community that has, of late, been often unfairly linked by the media to abject poverty, a lack of employment skills and a perceived reluctance to fully assimilate themselves into American culture manage to stay afloat amid economic turmoil and political indifference?
“Hispanics are persistent, relentless and committed to our goals and dreams,” said Isaac Barcelona, founder and president emeritus of the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We are entrepreneurial and a very proud people who prefer to earn our way rather than receive handouts or charity. One of our traits is, we are very hard workers and are not afraid of putting in a good day’s work and even going the extra mile to get the job done. We are also very loyal to our employers and/or those who give us the opportunity to succeed.”
Locally, the group is very proud, Barcelona said, of having supported Raul Maldonado in his bid to become Palmdale superintendent of schools, and are equally excited about the chamber’s gala installation in March 2015. Former U.S. Treasurer (and Huntington Park mayor) Rosario Marin is among the many Latino luminaries who have been invited to address the organization.
Economic indicators improve
The Pew Research Center in 2012 found Latinos were the only American community that expressed confidence in the nation’s direction. Fifty-one percent of respondents to the Pew survey said they believe the nation was on the “right track” economically, politically and socially, representing a 13 percentage point increase over 2011 when only 38 percent of Latinos said the same. One-third (33 percent) said that their families were in “excellent” or “good” shape, up from one-quarter (24 percent) who were polled in 2011.
Economic indicators have been improving for Latinos every year since 2010; the Latino unemployment rate (now 8.5 percent) is below its level at the pronounced end of the Great Recession in 2009 (11.2 percent) and appears to be falling steadily. As well, the poverty rate among Latino households (earning less than $22,000 per year for a family of four) has fallen every year for the past four years, dropping from 26.5 percent in 2010 to 25.8 percent today. The Pew survey, (the Hispanic Trends Project) found that in terms of personal finances, Latino self-assessments—while improving—still are not as positive as those of the general public. But more than 73 percent of Latinos surveyed in 2012 believed that their finances will improve, generally, over a one-year time span.
“I believe many of us try to set our priorities straight,” Barcelona continued. “One way we do this is we take care of our money and make sure we save for a rainy day while trying to avoid too much debt.” Barcelona disagrees, however, with some findings in the Pew survey in terms of Latinos agreeing with the nation’s direction. He said the business owners he knows in California are “not happy” with the business climate locally, statewide and in the nation.
“There’s way too much, and way too high taxation,” he explained. “There’s too much over-regulation, and now the recent developments of raising the minimum wage, providing additional paid sick leave to new employees who have not even attained seniority, etc. No, I would say we would be better served with a different ‘direction’ than the one we are moving toward.”
The U.S. Census Bureau in 2012 found that Latinos are making considerable gains in education, particularly those first-generation citizens whose undocumented parents may not be proficient in English and often worked in unskilled labor positions. Today, 64 percent of Latinos 25 years and older have at least a high school diploma, and 13.8 percent (4 million persons) have matriculated to college and have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. Those holding an advanced degree number 1.3 million.
The politically-charged “Dream Act” would provide college opportunity and permanent residency to some immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as minors, graduate from high school and have lived in the country continuously for five years. Also, if teens and young adults complete two years in the military, or two years at a four-year college, they would obtain temporary residency status for a six-year period.
Education remains high priority
“Education is key,” Barcelona said in reference to moving more Latino families toward the middle class. “Hispanics need to pursue higher education degrees and/or training in the diverse trades which can help us attain a better quality of life. We have to make better personal choices as our younger generations of students grow into adulthood.”
Barcelona explained that teen births among Latinos and those youth who decide to drop out of school goes against the traditions of upward mobility among Latino families … as does gang involvement and substance abuse. “The key to our community’s future is our children,” he added. “They are our future, and they are the ones who will help us attain the next level of success and determine whether or not we can maintain a middle class or higher level of lifestyle.”
Immigration reform, for all intents and purposes, will not be settled by Congress this year. This comes after rancorous debate by republicans and democrats on capitol Hill as well as in the “border states” (i.e. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California) where some governors and congressmembers have conflicting opinions on just how to absorb the migration of poor persons from Mexico and Central America. One of the most striking examples of the socioeconomic plight of these persons was the influx this summer of children and young mothers fleeing violence and poverty in their homelands. Here, Barcelona sees a conflict on what exactly “immigration reform” actually means.
“I still am not exactly sure what ‘immigration reform’ means or represents in today’s world,” he said. “As immigrants, 48 years ago, our family went through the required and established process of applying for legal resident status. It was not an easy undertaking, yet we complied and eventually were accepted and welcomed as United States residents. After five years, we became eligible for citizenship. The truth is, many people who arrived here undocumented are good people who could be or who have become positive assets to our communities and country.”
Barcelona does not favor “blanket amnesty” because, as he explained, “Every case should be judged on its own merit, based on the quality of the individuals involved and whether or not they have any intention or desire of assimilating into our culture and society.” The border must be secured, he added, so that the “daily influx” of unknown and unidentified persons can be stopped. “Then we can move forward with a solution to the problem of resolving the status of those already here.”
