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Mission / Vision
To create a dynamic environment for Hispanic professionals to thrive by fostering leadership, mentoring, education, networking, and new initiatives that support Hispanics and Hispanic businesses.
To be the leading national organization providing resources and opportunities to Hispanic professionals.
http://www.hpgm.org/
Friday, May 14, 2010
Hispanic population grows on Milwaukee's south side
Hispanic population grows on Milwaukee's south side
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Pete Millard
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The fastest-growing neighborhoods in the city of Milwaukee are those with the greatest concentration of Hispanic residents.
While the city's overall population is shrinking, Milwaukee's near south side population expanded by 23 percent in some areas along Mitchell Street, Lincoln Avenue and National Avenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2000 survey.
Overall, there are now 72,000 Hispanic residents in Milwaukee, 12 percent of the city's 596,974 people. The final Census count for Hispanic residents was 17 percent higher than the 1999 estimate of 60,000.
"I think the Census numbers will be a wake-up call for politicians and businesses," said Walter Sava, executive director of the United Community Center (UCC) on the south side. "There is a growing market on Milwaukee's south side that has been ignored in the past. And the reality is if the Census counts 72,000 people, there are probably another 8,000 who went uncounted."
While the Census Bureau's income and other demographic data on Milwaukee will not be available until early 2002, Sava has surveyed hundreds of south side residents and has recorded dramatic increases in purchasing power among local Hispanics during the 1990s.
In 1997, a mere 4 percent of Hispanics in Sava's UCC service territory had incomes between $20,000 and $30,000. Sava's 2001 survey reveals that 27 percent of the city's Hispanic population earn more than $20,000.
At the same time, Sava said, there was a dramatic drop in the number of residents who earned less than $15,000. By 2001, the number of people who earned less than $15,000 went from 80 percent to 35 percent, he said.
"The strong economy has been good for Latinos," Sava said.
Sava was surprised by the home ownership rates and education levels of Hispanics. Home ownership rates among those in the neighborhood grew to 44 percent from 30 percent four years earlier.
Sava attributes some of the increase in home ownership to the city's redevelopment efforts administered by UCC. In the middle 1990s, UCC invested $2.7 million in the Walker's Square neighborhood. By 1997, residential tax assessments in the neighborhood had increased 12 percent, Sava said.
The number of local Hispanics who completed high school increased from 20 percent in 1997 to 35 percent in 2001, Sava said.
However, the education level for Hispanics, while increasing, is still a concern for Sava and other Hispanic community leaders.
"It should be a shock to politicians to learn that almost two-thirds of Hispanics have only a middle school education," Sava said. "We have an undereducated community here in Milwaukee, and it is a challenge for kids and parents. Many times, parents don't get involved in their kids' education because they don't how."
Maria Monreal-Cameron, president and chief executive officer of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, said the Latino population will continue to grow in coming years because the median age of the Hispanic community is 22.5.
The local Hispanic community elected its first Wisconsin Assembly representative in 1998 when Rep. Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee) took office. In 2000, Angel Sanchez became the city's first Hispanic Common Council member.
Other findings in the 2001 UCC survey show that 52 percent of the area's Hispanics speak both English and Spanish; and 63 percent of the community's children live with both parents.
"Growth in the community is going to change a lot of perceptions," Monreal-Cameron said. "We are demonstrating (Hispanics) are a political force to be reckoned with."
Read more: Hispanic population grows on Milwaukee's south side - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Pete Millard
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The fastest-growing neighborhoods in the city of Milwaukee are those with the greatest concentration of Hispanic residents.
While the city's overall population is shrinking, Milwaukee's near south side population expanded by 23 percent in some areas along Mitchell Street, Lincoln Avenue and National Avenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2000 survey.
Overall, there are now 72,000 Hispanic residents in Milwaukee, 12 percent of the city's 596,974 people. The final Census count for Hispanic residents was 17 percent higher than the 1999 estimate of 60,000.
"I think the Census numbers will be a wake-up call for politicians and businesses," said Walter Sava, executive director of the United Community Center (UCC) on the south side. "There is a growing market on Milwaukee's south side that has been ignored in the past. And the reality is if the Census counts 72,000 people, there are probably another 8,000 who went uncounted."
While the Census Bureau's income and other demographic data on Milwaukee will not be available until early 2002, Sava has surveyed hundreds of south side residents and has recorded dramatic increases in purchasing power among local Hispanics during the 1990s.
In 1997, a mere 4 percent of Hispanics in Sava's UCC service territory had incomes between $20,000 and $30,000. Sava's 2001 survey reveals that 27 percent of the city's Hispanic population earn more than $20,000.
At the same time, Sava said, there was a dramatic drop in the number of residents who earned less than $15,000. By 2001, the number of people who earned less than $15,000 went from 80 percent to 35 percent, he said.
"The strong economy has been good for Latinos," Sava said.
Sava was surprised by the home ownership rates and education levels of Hispanics. Home ownership rates among those in the neighborhood grew to 44 percent from 30 percent four years earlier.
Sava attributes some of the increase in home ownership to the city's redevelopment efforts administered by UCC. In the middle 1990s, UCC invested $2.7 million in the Walker's Square neighborhood. By 1997, residential tax assessments in the neighborhood had increased 12 percent, Sava said.
The number of local Hispanics who completed high school increased from 20 percent in 1997 to 35 percent in 2001, Sava said.
However, the education level for Hispanics, while increasing, is still a concern for Sava and other Hispanic community leaders.
"It should be a shock to politicians to learn that almost two-thirds of Hispanics have only a middle school education," Sava said. "We have an undereducated community here in Milwaukee, and it is a challenge for kids and parents. Many times, parents don't get involved in their kids' education because they don't how."
Maria Monreal-Cameron, president and chief executive officer of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, said the Latino population will continue to grow in coming years because the median age of the Hispanic community is 22.5.
The local Hispanic community elected its first Wisconsin Assembly representative in 1998 when Rep. Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee) took office. In 2000, Angel Sanchez became the city's first Hispanic Common Council member.
Other findings in the 2001 UCC survey show that 52 percent of the area's Hispanics speak both English and Spanish; and 63 percent of the community's children live with both parents.
"Growth in the community is going to change a lot of perceptions," Monreal-Cameron said. "We are demonstrating (Hispanics) are a political force to be reckoned with."
Read more: Hispanic population grows on Milwaukee's south side - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
journal entry 3
Working up at the school continues to be a uphill battle for me. As previously stated, young children can be difficult for me to communicate with, but the school is opening my eyes to new forms of interaction. I was excited to work with two young male students today because of the material I was going to get to tutor them with. I got the opportunity to help them with their social studies homework, and me being a history major, the material they were learning was right up my alley. The homework was focused around the impact of the underground railroad here in Wisconsin. The students were asked to draw a representation of not only the underground railroad but what it stood for as well. When one student began to draw a railroad track, I quickly intervened and described to him that their was no real life railroad and that it was simply a metaphoric expression. I went on to make the analogy that if he were to stay at all of his friends houses to feel safe,on his way back to his own home, that this would be considered a similar experience. Each friends house represented a safe haven until he got home or to his final destination. It was a great feeling would I could see on the young boys face, that he had finally understood what the underground railroad truly represented. This small moment of success for me was self gratifying and gave me courage to continue to work through my interaction problems with that of the younger generation. I hope to in the future become a professor of History, and if I can continue to see my teaching make an impact on the younger generation, than that is all I can hope for in my lifetime.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Artist statement
In my final project, I wanted to expose the environmental realities children face on the South Side of Milwaukee. Growing up in the inner city can be a difficult task, but one can always make the best of the situation they face. I myself didn't grow up in the inner city, but I did face certain harsh realities that most children never come into conflict with. I'm an African American and as a result, society views me as not fitting the "norm" or being of Caucasian descent. This has never bothered me, but I have always wondered what it would be like to still be a minority, just of a different race. The South side of Milwaukee is predominately Hispanic, so I wanted my project to focus on just that issue. This class is about multiculturalism, so I felt it necessary to focus on the Hispanic community and how they interact with one another. I think that the people of Milwaukee feel mistakenly unwelcome on the South side of Milwaukee. This is a tragedy because it could not be further from the truth. There are no social barriers that prevent someone who isn't Hispanic from crossing over the river and interacting with community, yet I believe many within our society believe that there is. In my project I wanted to expose the good and bad aspects the South side holds. I had no trouble collecting pictures and data that were reflective of the South Side, but I did run into a few problems along the way. My main problem was conducting an oral interview from just a local community member. This was due primarly to language barrier that can tend to accompany the South Side. Most of the people I tried to conduct a interview with were friendly, but unhelpful in regards to my project. I did however manage to talk with a local bar owner on National Ave. He went on to tell me that, "it is sad that we as a society are still racially divided, but the latino community is strong in it's unity." He then said, "Although we are segregated from other nieghborhoods, hispanics on the South Side can rely on one another in ways that other communities can not or simply do not." After speaking with this man, I knew that my project would focus on segregation but also the unity that accompanies it's destructive ways. It is a way of looking at the situation with the "glass half full" but sometimes thinking positive can go a long way. Hopefully in the future, these ideas of unity can spread across the entire city instead of just one sector of it.
journal entry 2
Working with the students at the boys and girls club has been a eye opening experience for me. Previous to working up at the school, I have always felt that I didn't get along with younger kids age 3-12. Now that I have help tutor 4th and 5th graders, my level of appreciation for the younger generation has grown tremendously. I have come to realize that with a little guidance, young boys and girls do process the proper skills to educate themselves on a daily basis. At first, I was extremly frustrated at the level of concentration these students held, but with a little reassurance, most of the pupils I taught realized that hard work and dedication to studies can go a long way in this world. The last session I had at the school I tutored a young boy named Brian. We chated about sports and particular soccer, but he then went on to ask me a question about ancestory. He asked me if the Native Americans were still around today. Me being a history major, I wanted to explain to him the long history of invasion and exploitation at the hands of the European settlers. However, realizing that he was to young to comprehend the confrontational history of Native Americans in this country, I simply explained to him that Native Americans have been here long before any white man(anglo-saxon) set foot on American soil. We talked some more about the history of Native Americans, and in doing so, I realized that I was enjoying educating this 12 year old on the history of this country. I guess in a way the students at the boys and girls club were slowly growing on me, and as a result, my sevice learning experience was enhancing my ability to interact with the younger generation in a productive manner.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Milwaukee's Latino Community Keeps Anxious Watch On Ariz. Ariz.'s New Immigration Law Requires Police To Ask People About Immigration Status
ABC NEWS
MILWAUKEE -- Civil rights advocates are vowing to fight a tough new immigration law, which requires police in Arizona to question people about their immigration status.The governor calls it a safety issue. Critics call it racial profiling.The fallout is being followed closely in Milwaukee's Latino community.Jose Lopez started a baking enterprise called Lopez Bakery on Milwaukee's south side through hard work and a dream.“When I come into this country, I got $20 in my pocket,” said Lopez. “That's all I had.”Lopez crossed the border in Texas illegally, but has since earned his citizenship, raised his three American children, and used his skills to make a living.“When United States needed workers, Mexico helped,” said Lopez. “Always.”He and his son Jorge have been watching Arizona very closely, since the its governor just signed the toughest anti-illegal immigration law in generations into law.The law is a broad measure that makes not carrying proper documents a crime in Arizona, and allows police to arrest anyone they suspect is in the country illegally.“It opens up prejudices, it opens up discrimination, it's not a feel-good law,” said Jorge Lopez. “It brings up bad sentiments for everybody.Jose Lopez added, “It's a violation of human rights,”Although they're in Milwaukee, the Lopez's know Arizona's move could have national ramifications.President Barack Obama has condemned the measure, calling it "misguided."But Arizona's governor signed it, saying she had to act because of rising violence from Mexican drug cartels in her state, and no federal immigration reform policy.That last point is where Jorge Lopez agrees with Arizona's governor.He does not want amnesty, but some pathway to citizenship.“Those that are criminals, throw them back,” said Jorge. “Those that are the hard-working, contributing, members of the society, that's a big tax base for this country.”Jose Lopez is looking to the president to step in before the law takes effect in Arizona later this summer, comparing him to a leader who led the nation during another tumultuous time of immigration.“The best the United States has had since like Abraham Lincoln-Obama,” Jose said. “That's my president.”The divisive issue of immigration is not one many in Washington wanted to touch in this election year. But now that Arizona has, they may have no choice.Obama is asking the Justice Department to look at Arizona's new law to see if it's legal.Meanwhile, a local group that supports immigrants’ rights is sponsoring a rally at noon next Saturday, on South Fifth Street.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Artist's Statement
Milwaukee is one of the most segregated cities in all of the U.S., yet this astonishing fact is habitually looked over within our very own society. Segregation in a big city such as Milwaukee, can only lead to social inequalities. For anyone who has lived in Milwaukee, they know that they don’t have to go far to see evidence of this destructive circle of social injustice. Education is the foundation for anyone who wishes to alter their socio-economic status. For this reason, the proper teaching of history from a young age is crucial in an individual’s understanding of who he or she is. All too often, the writing of historical documents is left in the hands of the traditional American writers. To be more specific, here in America, the ideals of white Anglo-Saxons tend to overflow and engulf both our public and private school systems. I don’t point this issue out with hopes of denouncing our current approach to the teaching of History, or to deem the works of many historians unsatisfactory. But rather, I point this issue out to bring light to the fact that a great number of students are being stripped of their very own history and or culture. In Milwaukee for example, our community is so racially diverse that there are children from all walks of life. Why is it that a middle school Mexican American student must know all of the U.S. president’s, but can’t learn of Hugo Chavez, Che Guevara and other Hispanic icons? Why is it that an African American student learns that President Lincoln supposedly freed the slaves, but knows nothing of the many historic slave rebellions? One would think that with Milwaukee's rich Socialist and Progressive history, the flood gates of discrimination among race and class would never have come to pass. This traditional approach to teaching students must be broke in order for a greater apprehension of knowledge to be received. However, in order for such a change to occur, the writing of history must be conducted in a multi-cultural fashion. For the many faults Milwaukee holds, organizations such as the boys and girls club are truly an inspiration to the city. This is why I wanted my piece to focus on the good and the bad of Milwaukee. As much as this city can be cast in a bad light, the Vieau School simply exemplifies what it means for a community to come together for the greater good. As previous stated, education is the key to success, and without these schools success becomes a distant dream instead of a reality.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Multi-Media Project
Images of the South-side and the segreation that accompanies it
Fifty years after the US supreme court passed the landmark decision of Brown v Board of Education, which concluded that the policy of separate schools for white and black children was unequal and unconstitutional, thus outlawing segregation, Milwaukee is the most segregated city for blacks and whites(and Latinos) in the country, according to the US census bureau.
Fifty years after the US supreme court passed the landmark decision of Brown v Board of Education, which concluded that the policy of separate schools for white and black children was unequal and unconstitutional, thus outlawing segregation, Milwaukee is the most segregated city for blacks and whites(and Latinos) in the country, according to the US census bureau.
Journal Entry 1
My schedule had been so busy in the last semester of my college career, that simply setting up a meeting with the Boys and Girls school has been a struggle. I recently hurt myself at work, and as a result of that, I had to reschedule a meeting for the following week. As much as this service learning appointment has been a slight hassle for me, I am hoping that it will turn out to be a great experience. I tend to not get along with younger kids, but I think I can have a good impact on some of their lives. I grew up in the Milwaukee area, so my hope is that I can connect with some of these kids in ways that others may not. I truly belive that this experience is something I need in order to reconnect with the community. As much as I oddly enjoy the inner city, it has been awhile since I ventured into that area of town. Maybe in working at the school and interactiing with kids who attend it, I will find that since of comfort amongst the community that I once had but lost touch with over time.
Media Literacy Exercise
Images have a way of addressing issues in a fashion that is inconceivable with mere words. When individuals are confronted with a visual stimulus, rather than a verbal one, it stirs up emotions and ideals that the artist of the portrait was aiming for. In regards to the issues of race, class and identity, visual imagery can become the key that begins to unlock the false ideologies that many people hold in American society today. However, while some photos get right to the point of the message they are trying to send out, other images call for the viewer to unravel the mystery behind the picture. Through the use of color, lighting, costume and performance, images can address the issues of race and identity in a unique way. The two images attached are an example of how issues of race can be addressed in this unique way. The two images attached are an example of how issues of race can be addressed in this unique style.
In image one, which is titles " Four Sacred Colors" the photograph immediately attacks the stereotypical words used to address each race through the use of color. The costume being worn by each person in the photo is the same color American society tends to label each race. Whcih in this case is white wearing white, black wearing black, Asian wearing yellow, and Native American wearing red. The artist of the photo also put the white woman in a wedding gown. There could be several reasons for doing this, but mostly it was done to show some sort of racial hierarchy. Whether it was done to show some sort of higher economic status or simply to make the picture focus around the "white race" the dress nevertheless serves a purpose. Also, it is interesting that the picture from left to right is girl, boy, girl, boy, with the girls holding their hands over their private area. Perhaps the woman's hand placement is an attempt to suggest some sort of purity or innocence amongst the girls. In any case, the picture addresses the issues of race and identity by giving the color of the costumes a racial meaning. But other pictures attack the issues of race in a different way.
Image two, titled "Self-Portrait Exaggerating My Black Features/ Self Portrait Exaggerating My White Features" is an image that calls for the viewer to engage in what he or she believes to be a black or white individual. In this image, the title to the picture lays down the foundation for what the image is trying to portray. One can immediately come to the conclusion that this most likely a bi-racial individual, who is attempting to show that he is half white but looks black. In American society, since the one-drop rule from centuries ago, an individual such as this young man is considered black. Even to this very day, sadly if you look the part, you're labeled as such. By having a picture of himself side by side, the image, along with title come into direct conflict with the myths of race held within society. Since there is no such thing as race, the artist is simply showing that black and white are simply words, not definitive categories of people. The fact that the picture is taken in black and white only aids to the message attempting to be sent out by the artist. Both image one and image two seek to tackle the issues of race but in two distinct styles. One used color as the tool that was needed, while the other hoped for color to be dissolved completely. Both images want the viewer to understand that we don't live in a color-blind society and as a result of this, images and photos can be used to address this seemingly non-existent issue.
In image one, which is titles " Four Sacred Colors" the photograph immediately attacks the stereotypical words used to address each race through the use of color. The costume being worn by each person in the photo is the same color American society tends to label each race. Whcih in this case is white wearing white, black wearing black, Asian wearing yellow, and Native American wearing red. The artist of the photo also put the white woman in a wedding gown. There could be several reasons for doing this, but mostly it was done to show some sort of racial hierarchy. Whether it was done to show some sort of higher economic status or simply to make the picture focus around the "white race" the dress nevertheless serves a purpose. Also, it is interesting that the picture from left to right is girl, boy, girl, boy, with the girls holding their hands over their private area. Perhaps the woman's hand placement is an attempt to suggest some sort of purity or innocence amongst the girls. In any case, the picture addresses the issues of race and identity by giving the color of the costumes a racial meaning. But other pictures attack the issues of race in a different way.
Image two, titled "Self-Portrait Exaggerating My Black Features/ Self Portrait Exaggerating My White Features" is an image that calls for the viewer to engage in what he or she believes to be a black or white individual. In this image, the title to the picture lays down the foundation for what the image is trying to portray. One can immediately come to the conclusion that this most likely a bi-racial individual, who is attempting to show that he is half white but looks black. In American society, since the one-drop rule from centuries ago, an individual such as this young man is considered black. Even to this very day, sadly if you look the part, you're labeled as such. By having a picture of himself side by side, the image, along with title come into direct conflict with the myths of race held within society. Since there is no such thing as race, the artist is simply showing that black and white are simply words, not definitive categories of people. The fact that the picture is taken in black and white only aids to the message attempting to be sent out by the artist. Both image one and image two seek to tackle the issues of race but in two distinct styles. One used color as the tool that was needed, while the other hoped for color to be dissolved completely. Both images want the viewer to understand that we don't live in a color-blind society and as a result of this, images and photos can be used to address this seemingly non-existent issue.
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