The Census

Recently a older gentleman who seemed he was in his late 40's and who was from the US. Census Bureau came to my door with many papers in hand and conducted the 2010 Census survey. Though I was pressed for time I had no problem continuing with the survey. The only problem I had was when I reached section C and D which has to do with national origin and culture.

Section C asked if I was a Latino/Hispanic, which I am and I gladly answered I was of Mexican decent from the list of various Latin American and Caribbean Countries and origins. But, when we went on to section D of the survey it seemed as if my national origin and culture was not listed. I expected a check box to be in front of Latino/Hispanic decent but nothing. The older gentleman continued and said, Hispanic and Latino is not a national origin nor race and the only option I have is to select from a long list of other races and national origins. Some of the choices to select from were, White, Black, African American, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Asian were amongst the many listed.

I was perplexed in this because of the previous section. The older gentleman said that because of this the typical answer for people in my situation would be to choose White. Though I told him I do not want to choose that and prefer that he wrote in a box to say Hispanic/Latino I had no choice but to check White.

My concern about this issue is that Latino's, though being the fastest growing population in the US., do not have their own check box in section D of the Census survey. Is it that the US. does not want to take time to categorize the over 46 million and is estimated to reach over 102 million by 2050 according to a US. Census poll. I hope that next time around with the Latino population which may be the majority in this country will have their own check box instead of having to conform and check something which they may not be.

Us VS. Us

It is easy to say that illegal immigration is a touchy topic to many on both sides. But the image of illegal immigration carries past color or racial barriers. This issue has also place discrimination issues amongst members of the Latin culture.

Recently, a Chicago man, Eduardo Caraballo, faced deportation even after he was able to produce a state issued I.D. and a birth certificate. Caraballo, who was born in Puerto Rico a US. territory, was arrested as being a suspect in a stolen car case. Caraballo was detained even after his mother posted bail because law enforcement officials suspected he was an illegal immigrant. In a statement made by Caraballo in a NBC internview said, "-- just because of the way I look -- I have Mexican features". The comment though not intentionally derogatory brought to mind the question, are the Latino cultures divided by this illegal immigration issue?

Though many illegal immigrants coming into this country are of Mexican decent according to a 2009 Department of Home Land Security report there are other countries not only in Latin America but parts of Asia and Europe which rank in the top 10 countries where illegal immigrants originate from. Yet we have this preconceived notion of what an illegal immigrant looks like and as Mr. Caraballo mention, it is unfortunate that many categorize the features of an illegal as being Mexican.

The US. Census department categorizes any person of Spanish decent and of being foreign or native born in Latin America or origin as Latino. This means everything from south of the US. Mexican border to the tip of Chile, the Caribbean Islands to Spain, and the the Philippine's. We are all considered Latino yet we are divided amongst ourselves.


Though we may come from different national origins and distinctly different cultures we should not be divided but instead support our fellow Latino brother and sister. Just because we are the fastest growing demographic in the US. does not mean that people view us on the same social class level as other racial and ethnic groups. This is also true within our own demographic. No matter where we go there is a high probability a man or woman from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Chile, etc. will be viewed as lower class by other ethnic groups just because of the language they speak, their national origin, or physical look.

This rise of racial profiling spreads to all Latin American decedents and instead of being divided and thinking that though I may not look like the typical image of a illegal immigrant, you should ask yourself, how much longer will this type of racial profiling continue until it happens to me?

Unification not as a race but as a people is what is needed to stop this rising issue and to change the stereo typical image of Latin-American's as illegal immigrant's and the image of what a illegal immigrant looks like.

Reggaeton

Latin America has various forms of music through out its various countries and regions. Though these forms of music are widely popular in their own countries regaetton is one form that is widely played throughout all of Latin America and can be heard in other countries such as the United States and Japan. This form of urban music has become the voice for many of Latin America's youth giving them an outlet to tell their story and become successful and profitable in some cases.

The name derives from this musical genre of Caribbean inspired music reggae, hence the name ragaetton. As the years went on artist along with dj's and producers gave it it's unique sound and beat.

While reggaeton exploded in the late 80's early 90's in countries like Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Panama regaetton has evolved from it's early form to what it is today the music mainly stayed in underground clubs and bars. According to RegaettonFever.com this form of music could be heard in Panama as early as the mid to late 70's.

But, there is a controversy among people in Panama and Puerto Rico of who invented the new genre. Panama claims it was the first country to bring Spanish influenced reggae to the underground scene first. But, it was Puerto Rico who gave the music a whole new beat and name.

The musical art-form has become Latin American's form of Hip-Hop, evolving from a genre of music to a culture where music, fashion, trade, business, and entrepreneurship are just some of the key elements driving it's followers.

Artist like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Tego Calderon, and Jultio Voltio are among some of the most popular regaetton artist playing concerts throughout the world and whose music can be heard in motion pictures such as "The Fast and the Furriest Tokyo Drift" and "Too Fast Too Furriest" to name a few.

Regaetton has also been able to pave the way for female artist such as Ivy Queen, a.k.a 'La Caballota' who has been regaetton's leading lady. Other artist such as Orquídea Negra of LDA, La Factoria are just a few of a long list of female regaetton artist out there today.

Don't be surprised if you hear this musical genre in places like Europe or Japan. Artist like Japan's Los Kalibres are bringing the new musical genre mixing in Japanese along side Spanish lyrics creating a new wave of international artist. As local clubs and dj's continue to pump out regaetton sounds the music can only spread further and further.

Regaetton has come along way from it's humble beginning to the musical phenomenon it is today. The music will continue to inspire and motivate generations to strive for success and hope for a better tomorrow.

Lowriders

For decade's lowriders have been cruising the streets and filling up parks and stadiums showcasing their uniqueness and beauty. It's surprising to know that lowrider's were once used as a derogatory term for Hispanic's during the 30's and 40's when families used to pile into a large car and make the back end sink low. But, this term and style was adopted into a unique car culture which has spread around the world.

No longer are these vehicles lowered by adding weight to the vehicle. Now vehicles or all makes and models are being retrofitted with a complex hydraulic system which can adjust the ride height of the vehicle to even bouncing the vehicle high enough it flips over.

Many individuals throughout the years gathered together with others lowrider enthusiasts and formed clubs some of which have several chapters throughout the U.S. and the Mexico and have members from various generations. These clubs not only come together for the love of cars but also reach out to their neighboring communities. Some clubs such as the Majestic Club of Detroit create programs to help at risk youths by introducing them to the lowrider life style by having them assist in rebuilds and modifications of vehicles.

Lowrider is no longer just a classification of what type of vehicle you may have. It is now a life style and culture built stronger by family, friendship, and community.

Arizona restricts Multicultural teachings

Arizona has become the battle ground for a new civil rights movement. Thousands of protesters and supporters both in state and out have voiced their opinions on this controversial issue. But now the fight is being taken to the doors of Arizona's class rooms.

Legislator's are now targeting Multicultural studies in schools and have restricted the teaching of such ethnically educational classes such as African-American Studies, Hispanic/Latino studies, and Asian-American studies. State Schools Superintendent Tom Horne told CNN's "American Morning" on Thursday that the legislation is "designed to get schools to teach kids to treat each other as individuals and not on the basis of what race they were born into." he continues to say that when students took part in these classes they became more enraged because the curriculum depicted various acts of oppression and degradation on behalf of the US on a particular ethnic race.

Parents of students at local Arizona schools have protested this new restriction of learning while U.N. human rights experts criticized the legislation, saying "everyone has the right to seek and develop cultural knowledge and to know and understand his or her own culture and that of others through education and information." Horne said the state's social studies standards "require all kids to learn about all different cultures." He said they "shouldn't be ghettoized into certain cultures where they learn only about the culture of the race they have been born into. That's contrary to American values" (CNN.com)

It is this writers opinion that this form of legislation will only make the gap wider amongst native Arizonian's and their local school's, local and state governments. If such studies are to be restricted then all forms of history and social studies must be restricted as well. Our great country has a rich and deep culture with its good and bad historical facts and stories. But, we must not turn and bow our heads in shame for it. We must learn that all countries and cultures world wide have done similar things but it is the present in which we live in now so that we may reach a brighter future and the restricting of such courses hinders our progress as a nation.

I sincerely hope that the state of Arizona will be able to one day look back on such actions like these and move forward as one state for the peeople.

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Today marks the first day that all of the state of Michigan bars and restaurants enact the no smoking policy.

Some restaurant and bar owners are reluctant about this new law because it may produce fewer sales for their establishments. Others are embracing the new smoking ban saying that their new smoke free environment may bring in new customers to their establishment. Those establishments found violating this new law may be subject to fines and possibly harsher punishments if the violation continues.

Though reaction to this new law may vary from business to business there are a few select places that patrons may be able to enjoy both a drink and a smoke. One is the floor of a casino. The MGM Gram and other Detroit casino’s like Greek Town Casino or Motor City Casino are one of the few exceptions. But if you don’t feel like putting $20 on black you may want to consider visiting your local Cigar bar.

Cigar bars throughout the state maybe one of the last place where patrons may feel free to smoke and drink. Although, the law does indicate that the Cigar bar must create two separate rooms, one for smoking and the other for food and/or drinks.
Another criteria for Cigar bars to be able to provide this service is that their liquor sales may not exceed 10% of the overall sales otherwise they must comply with the smoking ban law. As long as this main factor is maintained Cigar bars may be one of the few places other than the floors at local casino’s where an individual can enjoy both drink and a smoke.

Only time will tell if businesses and those individuals who enjoy a good smoke with a drink will be able to adapt to this new law.