Recognizing Spanish/Latin roots of U.S. history & culture

Spaniards arrived over two centuries before the British in where what would become the U.S. Did you know that? 

You are not alone. Even many Latinos do not know that either. It has hardly been taught in schools, discussed in open forums or documented for television…until this years  PBS' "Latino Americans" documentary.

The documentary teaches the history of Latinos, not as immigrants, but as native populations and early settlers of the U.S. Elite groups, founders, and leaders’ stories are an eye-opening tour of the rich contributions and unjust tribulations that Latinos faced. Everyone should take a tour back into history to learn the true heritage of Latino Americans.

To complete your lesson, I recommend reading the U.S. Census latest facts and figures about Hispanics in the U.S. Accounting for 56% of the last ten years growth is the U.S. population. Hispanics did not arrive with the 1980s increased immigration. They have been in the U.S. for centuries. Now, they are drivers in the country’s growth.

Younger populations, 28 years old versus the general population 39 average ages, Latinos are growing in numbers, educational levels, income and leadership. Along the path 56M Americans will continue to serve in theU.S. military forces, pay taxes, and buy diapers, food, automobiles and homes at rates higher than the general population. In spite of lower-income levels than national averages, Hispanics are opening small businesses at higher rates than the population and the educated class is finally seeking its place in the U.S.

It is about time. It is going to take time. Recognizing Spanish/Latin roots of the U.S. history and culture will go a long way in valuing Hispanics/Latinos as Americans.
LATINO AMERICANS is a landmark six-hour documentary featuring interviews with nearly 100 Latinos and more than 500 years of History.

LATINO AMERICANS is the first major documentary series for television to chronicle the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years and have become, with more than 50 million people, the largest minority group in the U.S. The changing and yet repeating context of American history provides a backdrop for the drama of individual lives. It is a story of immigration and redemption, of anguish and celebration, of the gradual construction of a new American identity that connects and empowers millions of people today.

Reblogged from intothecore.com