Census figures show Latinos now largest minority group
by Roxanna Latifi, Reporter
People who identified themselves as Latino on the census now outnumber African Americans as the largest minority.
In Texas, one of the states where most Latinos choose to settle, Latinos have outnumbered African Americans since 1980, the first year the census recognized Latino as a choice on the census form.
Population for Latinos increased 21 percent in 1980 to 32 percent in 2000.
Immigration and birth rates have been increasing over the past few decades nationwide.
Speculation of Latinos being the largest minority has gone on for years, but since many Latinos did not participate in the census, this has become the first official record of the increase.
Many people are beginning to realize that with the population increase, changes will have to be made to accommodate needs.
"What this means is more voting rights and some of the broader civil rights issues; there is a greater impact on American culture and makeup," Victor Vasquez, a Temple University historian, said in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Figures show that the Latino population grew 4.7 percent while the U.S. population grew only by 1.2 percent, according to Amy Smith, a Census Bureau statistician-demographer.
Politically, Latinos haven not always been as united as other minorities.
Latinos may have similarities in culture, but many come from different countries around the world. Puerto Ricans and Caribbeans make up most of the Latino population on the East Coast of the United States while Latinos from Mexico and other countries dominate the South and West Coast.
This diversity may cause Latinos not to be as united politically as most would hope.
"In Texas, the majority of Latinos are from Mexico, but in other parts of the United States, there are Latino groups from Colombia, Venezuela and so on. This causes gaps between Latinos because of the lack of unity," Cristian Quimbayo, South Campus student, said.
Regardless of how people may view the increase in Latinos, most would agree that U.S. society should invest in the population.
"Both groups (Latinos born in and out of the United States) need to continue their education," Jim Palmer, NE Spanish instructor, said.
"There is a need for leadership whether it is in small businesses or politics," he added.
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