Being Latino-American: Experience of Discrimination and Oppression

1. Being Latino-American: Experience of Discrimination and Oppression Ashley O’Donnell CNGC 529 Dr. Rawlins Summer Session I 2013

2. Latino or Hispanic? • Hispanics or Latinos are those people who classified themselves in one of the specific Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino categories listed on the Census 2010 questionnaire -"Mexican," "Puerto Rican", or "Cuban"-as well as those who indicate that they are "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin." People who do not identify with one of the specific origins listed on the questionnaire but indicate that they are "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin" are those whose origins are from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Central or South America, or the Dominican Republic. The terms "Hispanic," "Latino," and "Spanish" are used interchangeably. • Origin can be view as the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person's parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. • People who identify their origin as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino may be of any race. Thus, the percent Hispanic should not be added to percentages for racial categories.

3. Critical Historical Experiences • 1500s: The Spaniards first settled in Santa Fe and oppressed the natives of the area which today is comprised of New Mexico, California, and Texas. • 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised citizenship, freedom of religion and language, and maintenance of lands to Mexicans living in these locations. • 1904: The United States established the first border patrol which extended from Texas to California.

4. Critical Historical Experiences • 1921: The Immigrant Act of 1921 restricted the entry of many Europeans seeking entry into the United States. The agricultural business opposed any efforts to limit immigration from Mexico as it was a source of labor for the farms. • 1942 – 1964: The Bracero Program was created to bring Mexicans to the United States to work in agriculture during WWII when many Americans were fighting overseas. • 1945:court case, Mendez v. Westminster which occurred in the California school districts, the US Court of Appeals rendered that Mexican schools were unconstitutional

5. Critical Historical Experiences • Post WWII: After World War II, there were many immigrants from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, and other regions of South America who arrived in the United States. • 1954: Operation Wetback was created to expel and cut illegal immigration from the United States. As a result of this operation, there was an increase in anti-Latino discrimination and many legal immigrants were also deported based on their ethnicity. • 1974: The Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1974 was passed by Congress which prohibited discrimination based on race or color in the school districts. It also advised schools to assist with those who have language barriers and encouraged bilingual education.

6. Critical Historical Experiences • 1975: The US Voting Rights Act was passed which required language assistance at the polls during elections. • 1986: The Immigration Reform and Control Act made it illegal to hire undocumented workers as well legalizing some undocumented workers with guidelines. • 1994: Former California Governor Wilson created an initiative titled Proposition 187 which denied public educational, medical, and social services to undocumented immigrants.

7. Critical Historical Experiences • 2001: After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, there was in increased concern for border security and an increase in racial profiling. • 2003: Latinos surpassed African Americans as the largest minority group with 37.1 million Latinos. The statistic is expected to triple by 2050. • 2012: The green light was given to the provision of Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070 called “show me your papers” which permitted police officers to check the immigration status of anyone that may be in the country illegally.

8. Demographics • 50.5 million people or 16% of the population • Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans are the largest of the population and represent ¾ of reported Latinos • ¼ of Latino adults are undocumented immigrants • Majority live in West or South – 14% in the Northeast • Median Age: 27 • For Massachusetts: • Dominican • Puerto Rican • Over ½ million Latinos

9. Latino Population by County

10. Rankings: Highest and Lowest

11. Values/Norms

12. Important Facts and Statistics • Overrepresented among the poor -21% of all Latinos live below the poverty line • Tend to have high unemployment • Often live in substandard housing • 41% of do not earn their high school diploma • 8.9% earn a Bachelor’s degree • ¾ of Latinos speak a language other than English as their primary language • Almost a quarter of the population work in service roles with almost another 30% of Latino finding employment in the fields of construction, maintenance, repair, production, & transportation, • On average a Latino individual earns around $16,000 per year and the household earning approximately $41,000 per year

13. The Four Forces • Psychodynamic: • Pros • Make the unconscious conscious • Maintain the analytic framework • Awareness of the past • Directive approach • Cons • Talk therapy • Long term • Difficult to gain rapport • What happens in the family stays there • Stigma associated with therapy

14. The Four Forces • Humanistic: • Pros • Respect • Emphasis placed on the genuine encounter • Be present • Belief in not making assumptions • Cons • Therapist isn’t the expert • What happens in the family stays there • Talk Therapy • No sufficient structure- client finds own solution • Stigma associated with therapy

15. The Four Forces • Cognitive Behavioral • Pros • Short term • Collaborative – the therapist is the expert • Active and directive with the use of homework • Solution focused • Present problem centered • Cons • Change cultural behavior? • Stigma associated with therapy

16. The Four Forces • Multicultural • Pros • Individual and Culture • Context • Self-awareness • Understanding • Non-judgmental • Cons • Narrative therapy?

17. Issues Which Impact Latinos • Resident Status • Family • Acculturation Status • Socioeconomic Status • Access to health Care • Exposure to Trauma • General Differences

18. Recommendations… • Understand the Latino definition of family • Be familiar with concepts such as familioso, simpatica, personalismo, and respecto • Ask clarifying questions • Incorporate and understand the importance of religion and spirituality • Listen to the client and their stories • Print all important documents in the native language to ensure understanding and gain rapport

19. Recommendations… • Consider all possible significant factors including social, economic, poverty, family gender, immigration, and migration process • Don’t generalize! Understand not all Latinos have the same value and cultural systems • Establish a therapeutic alliance with the client and explain the methods and models that will be used during the therapy process • Be genuine and place importance on the relationship • Realize the differences in clinical need, access to mental health care, the way providers interact with clients, and patient preferences, beliefs, and perceived stigma