2015’s States Where Hispanics Are Most Assimilated

According to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates as of July 1, 2013, there are roughly 54 million Hispanics living in the United States, representing approximately 17% of the U.S. total population, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or race minority.

During every political season, Latinos seem to become more and more important. In fact, marketing to Latinos seems to be ore and more on everyone's mind. But then again some people have trouble marketing to Latinos because there are sub-groups. Is it the English dominant Latinos...or is it the parents that immigrated here?

Jorge Ramos fights back against Donald Trump

I'm a reporter. My job is to ask questions. What's "totally out of line" is to eject a reporter from a press conference for asking questions

— JORGE RAMOS (@jorgeramosnews) August 26, 2015

Sure it's been a while since I've been posting. And sure the things I post are mostly personal and have an opinion. But maybe it's about time I start writing again (I've heard that before).

A Latino mayoral candidate in Philadelphia?

Things are getting interesting in the upcoming mayoral race in Philadelphia. Of the four officially declared Democratic candidates, 50% are Latino. And when we mix race relations to high political elections, everyone is bound to add their two cents about what "they" can do for the community. But it isn't only about race right?

Where is the National Museum of the American Latino?

It's been almost three years since the national campaign for the National Museum of the American Latino was launched. Since then countless other campaigns, contests, supporters, and donations have been made in order to bring this idea to fruition.

According to an article in the Orange County Register, "It literally takes an act of Congress to establish another museum on the Mall, alongside famous sites like the National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery, National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of American History. Organizers say the museum would show the impact of Latino culture on American life throughout U.S. history, with exhibitions of fine art, artifacts, documents and oral histories."

The Evolution of Leadership Within the [Philly] Puerto Rican community

If you're into Puerto Rican history, then don't miss out on Taller Puertorriqueño's upcoming Meet the Author Series: The Evolution of Leadership Within the Puerto Rican Community. Ariel Arnau will be discusing his article, The Evolution of Leadership Within the Puerto Rican Community of Philadelphia, 1950s-1970s. This presentation discusses the generational change in community leadership and the conflicts over control in Philadelphia's Puerto Rican community. 

During my nine years in Philadelphia I met great leaders in the community. Most of Philly's Latino community is Puerto Rican which coincides with their leadership. I definitely learned a lot and just like any industry or community, it's changing and every growing. For example, making history in November 2007 with nearly 80% of the vote, with tremendous grassroots and community support, Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez, became the first Puerto Rican/Latino elected to a district City Council seat and the first Latina to serve on the Philadelphia City Council. And it doesn't stop there. Philadelphia is booming with young Latino leaders.

Mr. Arnau is a graduate student at the CUNY Graduate Center working on a PhD in history. He currently teaches Latin American Studies at Temple University. Click here to read the article in advance.

More Latinos head to our nation's capital

"The new U.S. Congress sworn in today will have 3 Latino U.S. Senators and 28 Latino House members; nine of these are first-time members of Congress," via the Associated Press. Soak in that statement for a minute. During the 2012 elections, Latinos showed the United States of America not only our voting power but as political officials. Sure it's the ever changing landscape of the U.S. Even brands are shifting gears...but this is old news.

The AP article stated the following:

• In a sign of some diversity for the venerable body, the Senate will have three Hispanics — Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and one of the new members, Republican Ted Cruz of Texas. There will be 20 women in the 100-member chamber, the highest number yet.

Will the new Congress with record number Latinos change laws? Will it help Latinos? 

Dreamers begin to fulfill a dream

Since the U.S. government began to receive requests for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrived) last August, thousands of undocumented youth have begun the application process. DACA permitted to obtain a work permit, a conditional social security and protection to avoid deportation for two years. However, the application fee plus legal fees, if need be, have been a barrier to our community that normally struggle to meet the basic needs of their families.

Together, an organization based in Philadelphia led by Latino immigrant community in Pennsylvania who fight for human rights of immigrants, recently partners with JUNTOS to award scholarships to help begin the DACA process. Pictured above, Olivia Vasquez, 18, ​​Jaqueline Gomez, 19, Montserrat Gallegos, 16, Kenny Mejia, 18, ​​and Sajid Safkat, 18, ​​received their checks in order to begin the process of TAT.

This is a tremendous opportunity not only for these students but for the country as well. In addition to the scholarships, JUNTOS also had one of their students, Karla Rojas, 18, on MSNBC's Jansing & Co. discussing immigration and the Dream Act along with Telemundo's Jose Diaz-Balart.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Latinos choose Pres. Barack Obama at 71%

As the election has come to a close, people are scrambling to find reasons why to hate our re-elected president, Barack Obama, and other reasons to stop voting. Well remember when Time Magazine wrote the article on how Latinos will decide the next president? Yep...it happened. A new Pew Hispanic Research Poll stated, "Latinos voted for President Barack Obama over Republican Mitt Romney by 71% to 27%, according to an analysis of exit polls by the Pew Hispanic Center, a Project of the Pew Research Center."

You may think that the top issue was immigration, but it wasn't. Our nation's economy was the most important. The study also stated, "the economy was followed by health care, the federal budget deficit and foreign policy." Republicans may not have to change their strategy when reaching out to the ever growing Latino population. As you can see from the image above, Barack Obama has our nation's second largest Latino vote since President Bill Clinton in 1996.

So who did you vote for and why?

My 2012 voting experience

I must say for the past two months I have seen and heard so many political ads that it drove me insane. I think this year it was far worse than others. Last night while watching the news there were five ads in a row...all attack ads. My feeling is will these last minute ads change your mind? Probably not. Regardless, this morning I woke up like any other day and went to vote. Last night during my random Twitter search, @anniemal tweeted a link to find my polling place. While I already knew where it was from my 2011 experience, I clicked on it to humor myself. Low and behold I had a new polling place with no notice.




So today I did go to the new location and it was the easiest 10 minutes of my life. The volunteer did ask for my ID but all I said was, "My name is Eric Cortes," and she found my name. It was interesting because not once did I actually hand over my ID to prove it was me. Maybe she took my word for it. Polling volunteers are hilarious because they are always yelling at each other. Right after I pushed my buttons someone handed me a I VOTED sticker which felt great. And while most people tweeted and Facebooked photos of long lines, I only had six people in front of me...all older citizens. Regardless of who you vote for, just vote...not because someone told you to, but because you want to make a difference.

Video: Rosie Perez speaks the truth against Romney

Celebrities have no issue discussing politics, especially if they're against the Republican side. Actress/comedian Rosie Perez spills the truth against Governor Mitt Romney. In the video Perez states:

“What if you were just a little bit gay, Mitt,” Perez cracks. “Think of all the advantages that would provide. No, wait for it ... what if you had a vagina. If you were a gay Latina, this election would be in the bag for you. Unfortunately for you Mitt, you were cursed with the hard-knock life of growing up as the son of a wealthy governor and auto executive."

So is she right? What if Romney was indeed Latino...or a little bit gay?

P.S. Don't forget to watch today's (second) presidential debate at 9 p.m. Click here for more details including where to watch.

Video: President Obama approves this message in Spanish

Watch out Mitt Romney, our current president Barack Obama has released an official ad in Spanish earlier today. What do you think about the president's Spanish? Is it too general or is it a valiant attempt?

César E. Chávez National Monument

There comes a moment in time when we wonder will we be remembered in 100 years (post-death). We are all humans who work hard to sustain a living; more so than others. But there are those trailblazers, lideres, inspirational and noteworthy people who changed the course of time. On October 8th, 2012, President Obama will travel to Keene, California to announce the establishment of the César E. Chávez National Monument. Years in the making, the monument – which will be designated under the Antiquities Act – will be established on the property known as Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), or La Paz.

Chávez played a central role in achieving basic worker protections for hundreds of thousands of farmworkers across the country, from provisions ensuring drinking water was provided to workers in the fields, to steps that helped limit workers’ exposure to dangerous pesticides, to helping to establish basic minimum wages and health care access for farm workers. The César E. Chávez National Monument will encompass property that includes a Visitors’ Center containing César Chávez’s office as well as the UFW legal aid offices, the home of César and Helen Chávez, the Chávez Memorial Garden containing Chavez’s grave site, and additional buildings and structures at the La Paz campus.

So why do we immortalize these people? It was just recently that the National Park Service helped bring the Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial to Washington, DC. It takes years and years for something that happened even longer years ago to come to life. These memorials must embody and showcase the struggle of all America. Whether a life-size statue or a grave site, Americans of different ethnic backgrounds are shaping the way we look back at history. One day the color of a person's skin won't matter. Until then, let's make history.

Foto: Officer "Ramirez" stands guard

 

A picture is worth a thousand words and the one above speaks for itself. The still image comes from a video taken earlier this year from Phoenix as hundreds rallied and marched on April 25, eventually blocking ICE and the streets the same day the Supreme court heard 1070. So what happens when a Ramirez, Rodriguez, Castillo, Cortes, Rodriguez, de Leon, etc. confront "their own people?" They knew where they were going. This is an incredible shot that captures so many emotions. Would you go stand guard as an officer fully knowing your family could be in the protesting crowd? Do you quit your job? Something we can't answer until we are actually put in the position.

Latinos at the political conventions

Some of you may be aware that I am not a political person. Never have. Never will be. It takes a lot for me even to mention government relations in this blog. Just yesterday the first Latino made the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, told an amazing story where he of course added his family's Mexican upbringing. But it wasn't just about that...it was about America and moving forward.



About a week prior, Senator Marco Rubio also gave his American dream speech. Do you think they both did our gente justice?

Wilmer Valderrama to star in Voto Latino's PSA

This past weekend, Wilmer Valderrama was joined by an all-star cast for a PSA he directed for Voto Latino, a non-partisan civic engagement organization renowned for engaging youth through media, technology and celebrity voices to promote positive change. Voto Latino’s 2012 PSA entitled “The Enforcers” transforms their own image into that of a covert agency whose sole mission is to register people to vote. Vota Latino has always been at the front of the line when it comes to registering people to vote. Their campaigns are elusive and have always engaged the younger Latino demographic...and it's working!

The PSA is not out yet but you can sign-up online to be the first to preview. 

Our land of the free, but no trespassing

A decision has been made. According to NBClatino.com, "The Supreme Court has upheld the part of Arizona’s controversial immigration law which allows the state’s police officers to check a person’s immigration status once that person has been detained or arrested, if there is reasonable suspicion that person is undocumented.  This has more commonly been referred to as the 'show me your papers please' law." This is good and bad. Good since the Supreme Court struck down three of the provisions which included carrying federal registration cards but bad since officers can still ask undocumented immigrants for their papers.

On Facebook, some had no problem expressing their opinion and even comparing it to Nazi Germany. One Facebook user wrote, "Why not just make all the citizens wear an American flag patch and all the immigrants wear a patch of their country of origin, like they did in Nazi Germany before the Holocaust?" Although it's a bit much comparing what's going on in Arizona to Nazi Germany, this is exactly how a tremendous event begins. One state or person becomes rebellious and takes matters into their own hand. Soon, people start to follow and assume it's right. Arizona Govenor Jan Brewer commented, ""Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for the rule of law. It is also a victory for the 10th Amendment and all Americans who believe in the inherent right and responsibility of states to defend their citizens."


What will the future hold for a country that wants us to spend money in their industry yet likes to find ways to prevent us from becoming citizens? The citizenship process can take years and involves so many different paths. Time can only tell.

Arizona Latino media join together for a cause

In a time when media outlets are looking for the biggest advertisers and competing for ratings and everything else, Arizona's Latino media is taking a different approach. Under the mantra "Hoy Somos Arizona" (Today We Are Arizona), 23 media outlets in the Latino community attempted to address people's fears and uncertainty that the looming U.S. Supreme Court's decision on SB 1070 has left in the community. The 30-minute broadcast aired today from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on TV and radio stations in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, and looped over the Internet for viewing by audiences nationwide on hoysomosarizona.com.

Probably one of the most historic events in media ever, Arizona's Latino media has been has had a struggle how to portray what is happening in their government. These TV, radio, print and online outlets put everything aside and came together to set things right.

Watch the first part below:

12 million undocumented living in the U.S.

Yep. A very large number of people living in the United States of America are undocumented. And yes they still consider themselves American. A few days before President Barack Obama made an historic, direct action that will make our nation's immigration policy more fair, more efficient, and more just, Time Magazine published the article, "Not Legal. Not Leaving." According to the article, "One year ago, Jose Antonio Vargas publicly revealed he's an undocumented immigrant. Now he reports on life in citizenship limbo and how others' 'coming out' can change the debate." A very bold move, Vargas and others now face questions including why they aren't becoming citizens or why they aren't being sent back to their country.

Throughout the article Vargas, who is not Mexican but Filipino, accounts his own story and others who have official "come out" on their own or because of others. Vargas is one of an estimated 11.5 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. The Time articles sites some interesting numbers: 59% of the these are from Mexico. About 1 million come from Asia and the Pacific Islands, about 800,000 from South America and about 300,000 from Europe.  Some numbers which stuck out included, "...households headed by undocumented workers collectively paid $11.2 billion in income taxes, $1.6 billion in property taxes and $8.4 billion in consumption taxes."

So what is going to happen? What if all 12 million undocumented immigrants were forced to leave? My opinion...there would be mayhem. The path to citizenship is probably one of the most complex systems ever; it can take months or even decades.

Obama approves the Dream Act

Well not really...close enough though. If the end of the world is scheduled for December 2012, then things are certainly changing. Announced today by President Obama and his executive staff, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings. Not exactly the Dream Act but it's a start. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization.

A statement was provided by Juntos, "The vast majority of our communities are not getting a quality education due to an underfunded public education system which every year serves our students less and less. Many of our youth fall victim to the infamous School to Prison Pipeline and end up dropping out of school. Statistics show that out of school youth are much more likely to enter into the criminal justice system." Although this is just the beginning, some people might be a little ticked off. I'm sure the comments will continue including "taking our jobs" and "go back to your country." Remember though, it's a free country. We'are all given the same opportunities.

Video: Obama attacks Romney with Latinos

Shame Shame. Reading/watching attack ads (whether they are paid for or not by the candidate) can be interesting. Isn't that what politics are about? Anyways, I'm not a political guru nor do I want to be one but I recently came across President Barack Obama's "attack" ad. It's actually pretty clever since it shows one man and one woman shaking their heads as Mitt Romney jokes about unemployment and being poor. The ad will air in Colorado, Nevada and Florida which would be good for Obama to win.

Although he does not need to "win over" Pennsylvania, the president will be in Philadelphia (tomorrow) for a fundraiser at the Franklin Institute. And in almost related political news, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will be speaking in Philadelphia on June 20th at the National Constitution Center, 7pm. $25/ticket. Senator Rubio as you may be aware he may be tapped by Romney to be his running mate. *Dun Dun Dun*