It is a simultaneously well known and unacknowledged fact that both African Americans and Hispanics basically are the central driving force both economically and physically in the United States of America. Without the funding and labor contributions both races have made towards society our already fragile economy would suffer more and almost guaranty a collapse. Many disagree with that theory but they fail to research its implications. Although it pains me to address the terrible but true stereotype, African Americas act solely as consumers. We live in a society now that spends, neglecting to look to the future or create investments for their retirement upholding the evils of instant gratification. This common generation is trapped in the buy it now, buy it new, buy it first marketing strategy without knowing that whatever they purchase will be deemed passé in two weeks all to have to buy the even newer version. As the consumer we decide what sells and what does not. We are a major untapped resource of economic influence if we just wake up and take charge.
The same can be said of the ever increasing Hispanic population. As a race they have been stereotyped as cheap labor, but that cheap labor built many of the homes and roads thought this country. That cheap labor cleaned houses, hotels, basically they worked the jobs many other Americans felt they were too good for. Had Hispanics not worked the same jobs Americans dismissed as paltry there would be major deficit in the ongoing reconstruction of this nation.
If African Americans and Hispanics were to set aside their preconceived notions as separate races and realize the benefits they have to offer each other it would become a blessed marriage. As we band together as on moving body we could have the heaviest influence in the political area as voters, even candidates. But to begin on this journey of alliances we must both as races address the barriers that hold us back as people. The main divider is language. Hispanics primarily speak their native tongue of Spanish and for the most part African Americans have adopted the United States opinion that there is no other important language to learn besides English. That is not to say that the introduction of foreign language courses in the States haven’t had an impact on the lives of Americans that otherwise would still be in the dark regarding other languages besides their chosen native one. Daily it seems Hispanics are working with vigor to understand, speak and apply English because it is their key to success in the States but since African Americans have no real need to know a second language, collectively we do not.
As a historically black college that establishment is already much more than it realizes simply by existing. The creation of historically black colleges and universities were as beneficial during their inception as they are now, these institutes provide a strong since of community and foundation. The HBCU is not just a school but an opportunity for that child growing up as a minority to have an opportunity to see other people like them or that inner city kid getting a chance to interact with other studious and goal oriented people much like him or herself. These schools provide life lessons that could not be taught in a different school setting. It feels that the connotation of an HBUC is what holds back many applicants, they may fell that they are not “black” enough to attend and would rather attend those universities that mach their current school demographic but that is a problem. People fail to realize that the HBCU atmosphere changes with every campus from the reserved black ivy to the extra live party school HBCU’s present a welcome array of options. By increasing the number of Hispanics and Afro-Hispanics that attend HBCU’s they would get a better understanding of African-American culture. They would be able to identify more with the strong since of brother and sisterhood that ebbs and flows throughout Historically Black Colleges and Universities. By making then feel more welcome it would strengthen relations between both races creating future generations of African-Americans and Hispanics unfazed by cultural images and language barriers, but more focused on progressivism and unity.
