9/15/2022
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month (beginning on September 15th) includes remembering the frontier workers and leaders who migrated to the United States and the current workforce of Hispanic workers who continue to contribute to our society from low to highly skilled jobs. This blog led Marcos, the owner and Vocational Consultant for Risability, to research how our country's Hispanic workforce was formed.
When we see the word Hispanic, which includes mainly Mexican nationals, Central and Latin America, and our Caribbean nationalists, here are some of the highlights of Hispanic work culture:
Latinos worked mainly in agriculture, mining, and railroad construction in the 19th century.
After World War I, half a million Mexican immigrants entered the US, and 10% went to the Midwest.
Labor organizations formed for equal pay, work conditions, and treatment in the 1920s, including the copper miners in Jerome and Bisbee, AZ, who went on strike against the Phelps Dodge Corporation.
Latina women labor organizations emerged prominent in the 1930s in the aircraft and shipyards industries.
The cold war resulted in many Cuban refugees working in the hotel, garment, furniture, and fixtures industries in Florida.
Mexican-American members of the Mine Mill Local 890 went on a 15-month strike against the Empire Zinc Company, a communist-supporting company, in the late 1950s.
By 1988, 1 of every 9 Latinos in the US was from Central and South America.
Arizona minors defended their rights against Phelps Dodge in 1985 despite the Arizona National Guard occupying these mining towns.
10 million Latino workers in the US in the 1990s
In 2000, 32.8 million Latinos resided in the US, 12% of the US population.
Hispanic and Latino worker deaths have peaked at 22.5% of all work-related deaths in 2020.
The Hispanic worker has a history of understanding their work value and contributions to this country. Now, the Hispanic worker is more valued and has emerged as a quality worker. Thanks to our hard-working founders who fought for this culture to be accepted into the workforce. Hispanics are unofficially known for being dedicated and hard-working and support the beliefs of the "American Dream."
Being Hispanic from an American-Mexican border town and eventually moving to a non-border city, I have experienced (and observed) many challenges and stigmas associated with working in the US as a minority. Today, however, more than ever, I appreciate how this culture has emerged into all areas of jobs, occupying more and more highly skilled occupations. During Hispanic Heritage month, please take the time to appreciate your Hispanic neighbors, colleagues, and family members who contribute to our nation's economy through work. Me siento bien acerca de nuestro futuro en este pais! Viva Los Hispanos!
- Marcos -