What characterizes Hispanic culture?
As we have seen throughout the project, Hispanic community have taken a huge importance in the history of the United States. Although they have been here for hundreds of years it is important to highlight how is their impact in the territory.
Hispanic culture is one of the most different aspects in American life and their culture is characterized by the next topics:
For Hispanics, the family plays a central role. For this reason, they spend much of their time cultivating and strengthening their family ties. The life of Hispanics revolves around their families: their worries, gratifications and, of course, their dreams. Before, Hispanics arrived in the United States alone but nowadays those migrants have formed a family, group that is influenced by Hispanic roots.
Their language is also an important topic in his culture. Spanish has become part of everyday vocabulary in America; It can be listened Spanish words and phrases all the time. In fact, many of the names of American cities, rivers or mountains are Spanish and that is why their influence throughout history[i].
Hispanic culture in terms of food can be seen in American culture, too. Nowadays, many popular foods found in the United States came from Mexico. Products like tortillas[ii], tacos, guacamole or salsa[iii] are Mexican, and many others like black beans, sliced banana or boiled yucca[iv] came from Cuba.
Another aspect to highlight is Latin Music, which is constantly listened in radio or television. It is important to highlight here the impact of the salsa[v], Tejano[vi] and conjunto[vii] music in American life. Another famous music genre in the mariachi music, that Mexicans are known for. This style dates back to the 1800s and it is usually played in special occasions like birthdays or weddings. The mariachi players dress in flashy charro suits. Many Americans can enjoy this music in many Mexican restaurants around the United States. Reggaeton is also a popular music genre among youth people. It is a Puerto Rican genre that combines rap with Caribbean rhythms.
In the Hispanic world, religion plays an important role in their daily activity. More than 90% of the world that speaks Spanish is Roman Catholic. The Catholic religion is the predominant religion in Latino communities in the United States. The church influences the issues of family and community life, giving spiritual meaning to Hispanic culture.
It is important to highlight that many of the Hispanics who are working here, usually the jobs they make it is because there is no demand of Americans. It can be seen that, in terms of building jobs or education (to teach Spanish), most of the people who work there are Hispanics. The influence of family as a group is also translated generally in the way they work. Latinos are more concerned with the objectives of the group. They feel well connected to the group and will strive and work hard to help the needs of the community. It is also important to highlight that Hispanic community is a minority in the United States, fact that make them take care of each other.
Although many of the Hispanics living in the United States held many American celebrations, it can be observed that, little by little, American culture is introducing in his schedule many Latino festivities. The connections between both cultures make United States a tolerant country in his cultural diversity.
[i] Cities like San Antonio, Sacramento, El Paso … or rivers like Rio Grande, are examples of how Spanish is present in the United States.
[ii] Food made from flour or ground corn.
[iii] Spicy tomato sauce.
[iv] Root vegetable similar to a potato.
[v] Salsa music is a popular dance music genre that is the product of various musical genres like Afro-Cuban son montuno, guaracha, cha cha chá, mambo and the Puerto Rican bomba and plena.
[vi] Tejano or Texan-Mexican music is various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas.
[vii] Kind of Mexican-American music that has been influenced by the music of German immigrants to Texas and that features the accordion in addition to Mexican elements.