Ch. 10 Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans
Neocolonialism
continuing dependence of former colonies on foreign countries
Mixed status
families in which one or more members are citizens and one or more are noncitizens
maquiladoras
foreign-owned companies on the Mexican side of the border with the United States
What does the Puerto Rico Economy look like?
has benefited from US aid and investment, but wages are lower and unemployment is higher than in the US causing peoples to move to US for better paying jobs
Transnationals
immigrants who sustain multiple social relationships that link their societies of origin and settlement
Mojados
"Wetbacks"; derisive slang for Mexicans who enter illegally, supposedly by swimming across the Rio Grande
Puerto Rico's history of association with the US
- First called Borinquen - Claimed by Spain in 1493 (Columbus) - Succumbed to disease, tribal warfare, slavery, unsuccessful rebellions and fusion with their conquers - US seized in 1898 after Spanish-American War - Spain relinquished PR in the Treaty of Paris - Colonized by US, politically, culturally and economically - Jones Act - Elected own governor in 1948, became a commonwealth - Cannot vote in political elections - Subject to military service - Subject to all US Federal laws
What factors have contributed to Puerto Rican Migration?
- economic pull away from underdeveloped and overpopulated island - absence of legal restrictions against immigration - and cheap air transportation
What are the challenges Puerto Rico face?
-Puerto Rican's have enjoyed US citizenship by birth since 1917, but the island remains a commonwealth of the US - The future status of Puerto Rico remains the key political issue within the PR community
Why do Hispanics as a group not participate in healthcare?
1 - They don't seek healthcare because of having family here illegally, which they worry could bring attention to them and get them deported 2. Lack of Spanish-speaking healthcare professionals 3. Ethnic paradox (continuing to maintain their cultural ties ensures them a healthier lifestyle)
What is the history of Mexican Americans and their immigration
1) 1848 put here because of the redrawn lines after the US annexed Texas, Cal, Arizona and NM 2) Mexican Revolution in 1909-1922 thrust a bunch of Mexicans to work across the border as WWI closed European borders 3) Agribusiness invested in Mexico to maximize profits but minimize the amount of money remaining in Mexico. Use cheap labor undocumented labor and can dismiss without prejudice 4) in the 1930s repatriation or deportations 5) WWII (1942) when the war depleted the labor pool the US contracted braceros from Mexico 6) Operation Wetback or Special Force Operation 1954 deportation
How is immigration from Mexico unique?
1) It has be a continuous large-scale movement for most of the past 100 years 2) the proximity of Mexico encourages past immigrants to maintain strong cultural and language ties with their homeland through friends and relatives 3) the aura of illegality that has surrounded Mexican immigrants (they are a band of rapists and murderers)
What did Chavez and the UFW accomplish?
1) made fed/state government aware of the exploitation of migrant workers 2) migrant workers in Ca developed a sense of their own power and worth that makes it difficult for growers to abuse them 3) Working conditions improved
What is the history of Mexican Americans?
1. As a result of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War, the US acquired a significant amount of Mexican territory, starting the long history of Latinos in the US. 2. Federal policies such as repatriation, the bracero program, and Operation Wetback, reflect the US attitude toward Mexico and its people as a source of low-wage labor to be encouraged or shut off as dictated by the US economic needs
The Jones Act
1917 extended US citizenship to Puerto Rican's, but it remained a colony
How many farm workers in the US are Mexican or Mexican American?
3/4
World systems theory
A view of the global economic system as divided between nations that control wealth and those that provide natural resources and labor
How do Puerto Rican's view race
Color gradient, pale white to very black Social class and social position determine race
Braceros
Contracted Mexican laborers brought to the United States during World War II
In NYC _____________ are the dominate hispanics and _________ are just below them
Dominicans, Puerto Ricans
curanderismo
Hispanic folk medicine
As with each passing generation, _________ views on immigration more closely align with _________ attitudes
Hispanic, White
What is Puerto Rican life today, including the social construction of race?
Like much of the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America, Puerto Rico has more of a color gradient in terms of race than the sharp Black-White dichotomy of the mainland
La Raza
Literally meaning "the people," the term refers to the rich heritage of Mexican Americans; it is therefore used to denote a sense of pride among Mexican Americans today
What are the differences in interest between Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican Americans?
M - immigration C - Foreign diplomacy P - Federal control issues
What may be the greatest factor that may lead to a decline in familism?
Marriage across ethnic lines (Latinos with non-Latino groups)
What are the social circumstances of contemporary Mexican Americans?
Mexican Americans today have a mixed experience with health delivery and are aided by the ethnic paradox of new arrivals being relatively healthy compared to later generations. Similarly, the family can provide valuable insulation from challenges of poverty and prejudice
Who's is more pro immigration? Puerto Rican's or Mexicans?
Mexicans, PR are US citizens by birthright
Continuing Territorial Status vs. Statehood vs. Independence for Puerto Rico
Page 232 Table 10.2
Hometown associations
Nonprofit organizations that maintain close ties to immigrants' hometown in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Hometown Associations (HTAs)
Organizations of immigrants from the same city or region of origin who reside in the same part of the country of destination and band together to provide material support to the place of origin.
life changes
People's opportunity to provide themselves with material goods, positive living conditions, and favorable life experiences
How has familism been both positive and negative for Mexican Americans?
Positive - Extended family provided emotional strength in times of crisis Negative - Discourages youths to take opportunities that would separate them from their family
Maquiladoras are not required to___________
Provide insurance to benefits from their workers and are exempt from paying Mexican taxes.
Neoricans is what Puerto Rican's call
Puerto Rican's in New York (New Ricans)
Neoricans
Puerto Ricans who return to the island to settle after living on the mainland of the United States
Spectrum of Intergroup Relations : Mexican americans and Puerto Ricans
See page 236, Figure 10.3 for Timeline
repatriation
The 1930s program of deporting Mexicans
Borderlands
The area of common culture along the border between Mexico and the United States
Who is Cesar Chavez?
The most influential Latino activist, Fighting for farm laborers, finally making a separate union called the United Farm Workers
What have the maquiladoras contributed to?
They create a desire for Mexicans to work in their businesses, but then the money is sent home (remittances) losing economic dollars to the US, as well as when the US hired cheaper workers from china, it contributes to Mexicans trying to border-cross illegally.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
Treaty that ended the Mexican War, granting the U.S. control of Texas, New Mexico, and CA in exchange for $15 million
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)
an important trade agreement creating a huge zone of cooperation on trade and economic issues in North America
Ethnic paradox
the maintenance of one's ethnic ties in a way that can assist with assimilation in larger society
Familism
pride and closeness in the family that result in placing family obligation and loyalty before individual needs
