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The Latinization of the United States: Hope and Challenge |
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It comes as a surprise to no one that the United States is rapidly increasing in cultural and racial diversity. While immigration has been strong in the past century, globalization has impacted a stronger movement of peoples throughout the world, and especially to the United States. Marcelo M. Suárez-Orozco terms the movement of a heterogeneous blend of relatively recent arrivals from Asia, the Caribbean, and above all, Latin America—first and foremost Mexicans—, “Latinization.” He defines “Latinization” as “the processes of sociocultural, economic and political hemispheric change traced to the experiences, travails and fortunes of the Latin-American origin population of the United States.”1 Latin America is in the midst of an unprecedented exodus, most of whom choose the U.S. This country is therefore undergoing a profound demographic change. Recent data indicate that the white European-origin population is declining while the Latin American-origin population is growing exponentially. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that in just two generations 25% of the U.S. population will be of Latin origin.
According to the 2000 Census, 16.1 million—nearly half—of the nation’s 31.1 million foreign-born residents were born in Latin America. Of the total Hispanic population of 35.3 million, 20.5 million, or nearly 58%, are of Mexican origin. The USCCB Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs projects the growth in the Hispanic population:
Changing Realities We recall that in U.S. history, the border crossed Mexico before Mexicans crossed the border, resulting in several centuries of a Latin-American presence in the Southwest. Nevertheless, today the majority of the Mexican-origin population of the U.S. is either immigrant or first generation U.S. born. Roughly one in four immigrants in the States today is Mexican. The “waves” of immigration since 1980 include large-scale immigration from Mexico plus newer flows from Central America, South America and the Caribbean. These waves were the results of powerful economic forces and socio-cultural practices including wars and oppression. Originally migration to the U.S. from Mexico was temporary and seasonal, but globalization, economic restructuring and sociocultural changes in the Americas insure that Mexican immigration will be long-term. Economic inequality, underemployment and unemployment in Latin America have caused new migratory pressures. This migration is encouraged as well by a voracious and enduring demand for Mexican immigrant workers in many sectors of the economy, especially meat and poultry industries and construction in many states which until recently did not have a significant immigrant presence. Intensified border patrols did little to stop the flow, but only made migration more difficult and dangerous. Reunification of families contributes to both legal and undocumented immigration. Hispanic Ministry and the Church According to the USCCB Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs, approximately 39%—25 million of the nation’s 65 million U.S. Catholics—are Hispanic. Seventy-two percent of Hispanics in the U.S. are Catholic, and have accounted for 71% of the Catholic growth in the United States since 1960. In a priest to Catholic ratio, there are 9,925 Hispanic Catholics per Hispanic priest, while there are 1,230 Catholics per priest in the general Catholic population. Thirteen percent of current seminarians are Hispanic. While recent documents such as “Encuentro and Mission,” Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity” and others reveal a concern on the part of bishops to respond pastorally to the Hispanic presence, the response on a parish level is all too commonly inadequate. Thus, we see the amazingly flourishing pentecostal and fundamentalist sects who provide a home for Hispanics/Latinos, who have a profound faith and longing for an experience that speaks to them linguistically, spiritually and culturally. Some dioceses and parishes take initiative through peace and justice work to seriously look at racist and nativist practices and respond to the Hispanic presence. Some enjoy the support of Hispanic ministry offices at the diocesan, regional and national levels. Others feel frustrated at the lack of support and initiative of pastoral leaders in responding to the growing immigrant presence in their midst. The church is far behind many social organizations which encounter Hispanic/Latino needs and learn how to respond to them. Businesses also are aware of the value of the Hispanics spending and respond with sensitivity training for employees and research into the buying power of this growing population. Too often the church reflects a receptionist attitude, responding only to those who cross the doorway, but lacking a missionary and evangelical emphasis in its ministry. Many look at the growing Hispanic/Latino population and feel overcome by the challenges of language and cultural differences. Others come to know through personal contacts and experience the beauty of the Hispanic/Latino culture with its emphasis on family, generosity, deep-centered faith, sense of humor and presence to others. They find joy and spiritual enrichment through solidarity with the Hispanic presence. They realize that the United States church and society as a whole is profoundly blessed by a “Latinization” of the United States. Endnotes:
About the author: Judy Callahan, BVM (Eugene Mary) has spent many years in Hispanic ministry. She is currently on the Initial Membership team. Return
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