The United States is a nation that has become a “melting pot” for its citizens. It has a plethora of different kinds of people, cultures, and languages. African-Americans and Hispanics are the leading minority groups in the United States. Respectively, both groups have endured similar experiences with discrimination, injustice, and inequality. Now, they have to bring those experiences together and start seeking societal changes in this country. African-Americans and Hispanics need to work together to address political, communication, and community issues. African-Americans and Hispanics are two marginalized groups in this country that have political power. Specifically, they overwhelmingly support the Democratic Party. It is true that Democrats are in alignment with the values and ideas of these groups, however, the party needs to stay in-tune with the needs of their constituents. African-Americans and Hispanics share a need for not only equal opportunity in education and the workplace, but also equality of results. In addition, they share a need for the economic gap to close between them and whites. Furthermore, they share a need to live their lives to the fullest as American citizens. Therefore, African-Americans and Hispanics need to work together in order for their political, economic, and social situations to change.It is correct that the cultures of African-Americans and Hispanics are unique. Thus, in order for them to work closely together, they must begin to introduce themselves to one another, and in order to openly and trustingly communicate they must be able to speak and understand the same languages. That means each must begin to put forth the effort to speak the other’s language. Secondly, each must understand the other’s culture. This is accomplished by joining the many formal or informal classes that offer English as a second language and beginner Spanish. Many of these classes are offered free of charge in churches and schools and civic organizations, and often the speech leaders are those who themselves are bi-lingual. Many of the classes encourage open dialog and the sharing of food and culture through books, movies, and attending cultural affairs where it is easier for one to meet the other while experiencing dance, sharing in the tasting and preparation of the culinary and visiting other homes in the U.S. and traveling abroad. Once this is being accomplished and while it is being cultivated, the two can begin to share their ideas and opinions. It will be discovered that Black Americans and Hispanics have very similar dreams for themselves, for their families, and for the development of this great country. African-Americans must take advantage of the growing Hispanic population. Hispanics are performing jobs that African Americans refuse to perform such as sanitation and construction work. African Americans who have been residents of this country far longer than a majority of Hispanics find these types of jobs as being demeaning. Their ancestors performed these jobs because they were prohibited from employment that is more lucrative. They accepted these jobs in order to survive. As the African American people became formally educated, they were accepted and hired in white-collar jobs and higher paying blue-collar employment. The younger generation refused to perform the lower paying jobs and the unskilled took to accepting government assistance or unemployment. The Hispanic population benefited by accepting these jobs for their survival.The role of education is important for both of our communities in order to advance. It is possible that African-Americans can take the lead to help our Hispanic brothers and sisters by welcoming them to attend our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This will help these institutions financially as they would encourage financial conglomeration between both groups. In addition, these institutions would help create more African-Americans and Hispanics in the areas of science, medicine, engineering, politics, and academia. Thus, there will be more Thurgood Marshalls, Cesar Chavez(es), Martin Luther King, Jrs., and Gustavo Gutiérrez(es) all because of the instrumental role of the HBCUs to support the needs of both groups, specifically to the needs of the growing Hispanic population.We, as African-Americans, can learn from the Hispanics the importance of cohesiveness. As Hispanics work together to give their families a better way of life, African-Americans struggle with jealously, because of the systematic oppression they suffer in this country. African-Americans must formulate a plan and then begin to act on the plan in order for them to reap the benefits that will strengthen their people and their nation.Overall, African-Americans and Hispanics need to work together to address political, communication, and community issues. Someday, this country will become the minority-majority, working and playing along side of their counterparts in harmony. However, if African-Americans and Hispanics do not work together to bring changes in our society, then we, as Americans, would not know the abilities and dreams that these two minority groups share. Furthermore, this country will not experience the societal changes needed to be a better nation. Thus, it is essential for each of us to live our lives to the fullest as equals.
