Impact of a Futer Generation

 Hispanics lead Texas growth - February 17, 2011


In an editorial in the El Paso Times on February 17, 2011,  titled "Hispanics lead Texas growth," opinion writer Zahira Torres writes about the growing influence of the Hispanic community in Texas.  She claims that in order for our state to remain competitive in the years ahead, we must ensure that Hispanic students succeed in the classroom, and can compete with their peers from the U.S. and around the world.

Zahira Torres points out some interesting and not so promising facts about the Hispanic population of the future.  Results of the 2010 Census show that  Hispanics now comprise 38 percent of the state's population, growing by 42 percent over the last decade.  According to an unnamed source one in three Hispanic children in Texas live in poverty, compared to ten white children.   Also Hispanic students in Texas are twice as likely to drop out of high school as white students.  Texas also has the highest percentage of uninsured children in the nation.

Torres identifies that that these facts threaten our state's future, and as a result will lead to a workforce that is less educated and less prosperous than today if we fail to change this path.  She also explains that our state's failure to invest in the future of our children will only weaken our ability to compete in the years.

The following article is focused towards  the left-leaning, liberal audience who's concern for our future is growing.  Texas Democratic Party Chairman: Boyd Richie suggests that new districts should be drawn to provide representation for those who are responsible for the population growth that brought those districts to Texas.  Also plans should be drawn in a process that provides meaningful input from officeholders who represent all Texans, especially those who represent the minority populations, who are driving our population growth. 

Zahira Torres is an established editor with the El Paso Times.  She has covered a variety of topics within state politics.  I personally agree that the future of our Hispanic students is in jeopardy, and something has to change in many aspects.  The results of the 2010 Census has provided our government with valuable basic demographic information to began the process of redistricting ultimately leading to goals such as even guidelines that comply with all federal and state laws, and provide effective representation for all Texans in the coming decade. 

Hispanic America

Are Hispanics turning White, or is America turning Hispanic?  This is a question that seems to come up even more as the Hispanic population increases in America.   Hispanics now make up about a third of the U.S. and remain one of the largest minority groups.  Texas is second  with the most Hispanics coming in at 8,870,475.  California has the most with 13,457,397.  Shockingly the White population has shrunk in 16 states this decade including California.

So what does this mean, the White population is starting to see extinction? Of  course not. But America is beginning to evolve into a Hispanic way of life.  For example;  employers' are starting to look more into bilingual candidates as a plus for business, usually more so in marketing and sales positions. Before the Hispanic population was what it is today in America, it was said that America was an English only based country.  While there is no English language "standard" for America, this has become a debate as to who needs to adapt ; Americans or Hispanics.  It looks as though with the Hispanic population increasing the way it is, the need for adapting is not the Hispanic population but all Non-Hispanics.

This is important as we evolve not only as a state but as a country as well.  Politically, culturally, and genetically, America will start to become more Hispanic. This topic is important in the fact that with the more Hispanics coming from Mexico the more aware Americans need to be.  The ongoing conflicts in Mexico have created an increase in the migration to America.  With that, America's  way of life, traditions and genetic background could be influenced and altered in negative way.  Yet at the same time the influence could be positive for our job economy overall political being. 

America has been influenced by many minority groups for years ever since people started immigrating to America.  The Hispanic population is starting to contribute to America in every way possible and I am glad to say as a Hispanic how honored I am to be a part of this influence. 



http://newstaco.com/2011/01/24/as-latinos-become-white-the-u-s-becomes-latino/