News, Views & Information
on Latino Communities
Nationwide
on Latino Communities
Nationwide
del oeste de Massachusetts
By Spencer Fox Peterson
UMass 2009
A few weeks ago, I contacted Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D- MA, in regards to his knowledge on the growing Latino population in the United States and more importantly here, in his home state.
What value do you place on a Latino newspaper?
Senator Kennedy: As we saw during the immigration debate, Latino newspapers are a powerful voice for the Latino community. They are best able to convey the desires and the concerns of the people they represent to the entire country, and for that, I commend them.
Do you know how many people in Massachusetts identify themselves as Latinos?
Senator Kennedy: Over 400,000 people in Massachusetts identify themselves as Latinos, according to the 2000 census.
What does the term Hispanic represent in the United States?
Senator Kennedy: Typically, it refers to a person who speaks Spanish, and implies cultural or family ties to Spain. There’s a great deal of overlap, however, with the word “Latino” which stresses similar ties to Latin America and includes those who speak either Portuguese or Spanish. “Hispanic” and “Latino” are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to recognize that different persons may choose to identify themselves differently. Individuals or groups that feel a stronger connection to their Spanish roots often prefer to use the term “Hispanic,” while those that identify with Latin American usually use the word “Latino” in referring to themselves.
What is your stance on English as a Second Language in the public schools system of Massachusetts?
Senator Kennedy: It’s important to create a school environment in which all students can learn and achieve their full potential. Students who are not fluent in English need extra help, and that’s what these classes provide. We know that building upon students’ native language helps them achieve their goals. Programs that provide teachers with the knowledge and skills to help these students learn English are immensely important in ensuring their success in school and in life. In the upcoming reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, we’re strengthening provisions that encourage educators to use proven effective techniques, including those that build on a child’s first language, so that the English language learners can master English and do well in school.
Are you aware of the dropout rate among Latinos? What can you attribute this to?
Senator Kennedy: Any dropout rate is too high, for any ethnic group, for any community, anywhere in our country. Graduation from school or college is a milestone in a young person’s life – the symbolic passage to adulthood and the key to future opportunity.
It’s a proud moment that too many of America’s young Hispanics never experience. Tragically, the dropout rate for Hispanic high school students is 28 percent – twice the rate for African-American students and four times the rate for white students.
Clearly, we must do better. We need greater opportunities for mentoring and tutoring to provide better, one-on-one relationships between students and a mentor or teacher. We need greater investments in service-learning to connect students’ academic learning in school with their experience in their community. We also need alternative schools, after-school programs, and summer programs, so that students at-risk of dropping out have a variety of options that lead to graduation, and help students keep up in school and inspire interest in future careers.
What must be done to promote education funding to highly populated Latino areas such as Holyoke? How can we better integrate Latinos and welcome them and their customs and culture rather then force them to feel as though they need to change who they are and what they identify with to fit in here in Massachusetts?
Senator Kennedy: It’s important to provide the necessary support and resources to enable students to do well in school and in life. By integrating and celebrating Latino customs and culture, we can find ways to engage, excite, and persuade Latino students to learn and achieve. In the upcoming reauthorization, we’ll re-design the No Child Left Behind Act to target more resources and new strategies —such as greater support to struggling students and greater outreach to parents and families – to ensure the success of all students. .
Do you target to Latinos specifically when you campaign? If yes, then how?
Senator Kennedy: The Latino community has always had a role in our campaigns. President Kennedy won 85% of the national Hispanic vote in 1960. In my own Senate campaign last year— my nephew, Joe, was my campaign chairman, and he’d served with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica.
All over the nation, the public is becoming aware of to the important role of Latinos in our country. Millions of them participated in the last Presidential election, and millions more will participate next year. It’s the fastest growing population in America, as Latinos are certainly destined for greater leadership in America in years ahead
Here in Massachusetts, Latino leaders have created bold pathways in service and leadership. There are now more Latinos in the Commonwealth’s legislature than ever before. They now have a voice in the Senate chamber for the first time in the history of our state, and there are at least 15 Latina and Latino City Council members in cities throughout our Commonwealth. I’m proud of that leadership. The American dream is their dream too.
UMass 2009
A few weeks ago, I contacted Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D- MA, in regards to his knowledge on the growing Latino population in the United States and more importantly here, in his home state.
What value do you place on a Latino newspaper?
Senator Kennedy: As we saw during the immigration debate, Latino newspapers are a powerful voice for the Latino community. They are best able to convey the desires and the concerns of the people they represent to the entire country, and for that, I commend them.
Do you know how many people in Massachusetts identify themselves as Latinos?
Senator Kennedy: Over 400,000 people in Massachusetts identify themselves as Latinos, according to the 2000 census.
What does the term Hispanic represent in the United States?
Senator Kennedy: Typically, it refers to a person who speaks Spanish, and implies cultural or family ties to Spain. There’s a great deal of overlap, however, with the word “Latino” which stresses similar ties to Latin America and includes those who speak either Portuguese or Spanish. “Hispanic” and “Latino” are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to recognize that different persons may choose to identify themselves differently. Individuals or groups that feel a stronger connection to their Spanish roots often prefer to use the term “Hispanic,” while those that identify with Latin American usually use the word “Latino” in referring to themselves.
What is your stance on English as a Second Language in the public schools system of Massachusetts?
Senator Kennedy: It’s important to create a school environment in which all students can learn and achieve their full potential. Students who are not fluent in English need extra help, and that’s what these classes provide. We know that building upon students’ native language helps them achieve their goals. Programs that provide teachers with the knowledge and skills to help these students learn English are immensely important in ensuring their success in school and in life. In the upcoming reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, we’re strengthening provisions that encourage educators to use proven effective techniques, including those that build on a child’s first language, so that the English language learners can master English and do well in school.
Are you aware of the dropout rate among Latinos? What can you attribute this to?
Senator Kennedy: Any dropout rate is too high, for any ethnic group, for any community, anywhere in our country. Graduation from school or college is a milestone in a young person’s life – the symbolic passage to adulthood and the key to future opportunity.
It’s a proud moment that too many of America’s young Hispanics never experience. Tragically, the dropout rate for Hispanic high school students is 28 percent – twice the rate for African-American students and four times the rate for white students.
Clearly, we must do better. We need greater opportunities for mentoring and tutoring to provide better, one-on-one relationships between students and a mentor or teacher. We need greater investments in service-learning to connect students’ academic learning in school with their experience in their community. We also need alternative schools, after-school programs, and summer programs, so that students at-risk of dropping out have a variety of options that lead to graduation, and help students keep up in school and inspire interest in future careers.
What must be done to promote education funding to highly populated Latino areas such as Holyoke? How can we better integrate Latinos and welcome them and their customs and culture rather then force them to feel as though they need to change who they are and what they identify with to fit in here in Massachusetts?
Senator Kennedy: It’s important to provide the necessary support and resources to enable students to do well in school and in life. By integrating and celebrating Latino customs and culture, we can find ways to engage, excite, and persuade Latino students to learn and achieve. In the upcoming reauthorization, we’ll re-design the No Child Left Behind Act to target more resources and new strategies —such as greater support to struggling students and greater outreach to parents and families – to ensure the success of all students. .
Do you target to Latinos specifically when you campaign? If yes, then how?
Senator Kennedy: The Latino community has always had a role in our campaigns. President Kennedy won 85% of the national Hispanic vote in 1960. In my own Senate campaign last year— my nephew, Joe, was my campaign chairman, and he’d served with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica.
All over the nation, the public is becoming aware of to the important role of Latinos in our country. Millions of them participated in the last Presidential election, and millions more will participate next year. It’s the fastest growing population in America, as Latinos are certainly destined for greater leadership in America in years ahead
Here in Massachusetts, Latino leaders have created bold pathways in service and leadership. There are now more Latinos in the Commonwealth’s legislature than ever before. They now have a voice in the Senate chamber for the first time in the history of our state, and there are at least 15 Latina and Latino City Council members in cities throughout our Commonwealth. I’m proud of that leadership. The American dream is their dream too.
Sen. Kennedy on Latino Issues
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