The culture washing of the Latino/a community rises tension from either side of the cultural divide. Where one generation of Latino/a’s are fixed in traditional beliefs the other fears the risk of losing educational advancements set forth by those before them. This form of drastic assimilation is heated during the upcoming presidential debate as the threat of mass deportation is evident.
This leads back to the clashes of ideals that prompt the question; how can generations be at war with one another? This figurative war is presented in the whitewashing of Latino/a culture, especially in the youth community. This type of assimilation can be viewed as forced upon us as the barriers of racial identity are blurred by the United States census.
According to the Pew Research Center “2.5 million Americans” have changed their self-racial identification from Hispanic or Latino in the 2000 census to Hispanic white in the 2010 census. This spotlights the issue that there is a lack of self-recognition within the Latino/a community from generation to generation. Youth generations find it increasingly difficult to place themselves among fellow Americans as the standards are widely different when comparing Caucasian youth and Latino/a youth. The drop in Spanish speakers in younger generations of Latino/as is also a cause for concern as it is viewed as a cultural loss.
According to the Latin Post, as the “U.S. Hispanic population grows… younger Latinos are less likely to speak Spanish. This is worrisome to preceding generations because it is a form of gentrification is some aspects. It involves a continuation of blurred cultural identity among the youth whom have grown more accustomed to American ideals than traditional ones. This is what builds up this growing wall between the generations.
Older generations have ideals where the proud Latino culture is to precede before the American customs. Many from the older generation do not believe in giving up their heritage in order to be recognized as a growing contribution to the United States and those in the younger feel that they have no choice.
There is little voice within these minority groups as it is and with the pressing need to become politically involved approaches, many find themselves to be among the disillusioned.
