Why We Need to Speak Up

by Aída Bardales -- Críticas, 8/15/2006

The Latino population in this country is incredibly diverse. There are first generations that have recently migrated to the States and families that have lived here for many generations. Some are bilingual, others don’t speak English, and others don’t speak any Spanish. There are South Americans, Central Americans, Mexicans, Spaniards, and the list goes on. Just yesterday, the New York Times reported on new data released by the Census Bureau on the growth of the immigrant population in states that had previously experienced “little immigrant activity.”

In general, the American media is paying more attention to Hispanics’ needs and wants. There are more resources catering to Spanish-speakers and there is more information available in Spanish. However, there are still many issues and experiences particular to Hispanics that are sometimes overlooked, even by Hispanics themselves. Last month, the Spanish-language newspaper El diario/La prensa published a series of articles on the challenges experienced by first generation U.S.-born Latinas and the relation to high suicide rates among that group. That same series sparked an editorial in the New York Times that brought these alarming statistics to the forefront for the general English-speaking audience. After reading these articles, I wanted to know what resources exist to educate Hispanic families on these issues, to help them overcome taboo conversations and stereotypes in order to help their teenage daughters adjust to a bicultural lifestyle.

I spoke to a few librarians on the matter, hoping to learn more about programs available in different communities across the United States. Queens librarian Loida García-Febo had a strong opinion on the subject, which is with this issue. Though Loida herself was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has only been living in New York for just over five years, she is aware of the challenges young Hispanics face while trying to balance between Latin American culture and the expectations of American society.

Publishers are acknowledging the growing population of Spanish-speakers in the United States by publishing more Spanish-language books in all subjects. In The Faces Behind the Books, the first in our Who’s Who in Spanish-language Publishing series, you will meet some of the people shaping the industry. Former Críticas editor and contributor Adriana Lopez talked to some veterans in the field and to the new generation of editors alike. They are paying close attention to what Spanish-speakers in the United States want and need in order to survive and succeed in this country.

In this month’s issue you’ll also meet Mexico’s leading political scientist, Denise Dresser, co-author of México. Lo que todo ciudadano quisiera (no) saber de su patria. (Mexico: What Every Citizen Would Like To (Not) Know About His or Her Country). She explains what she thinks is so funny about Mexico and shares her views on the county’s recent presidential elections.

As usual, I invite you to send us your feedback, let us know what sorts of challenges are typical within your local immigrant community, and tell us what types of books you think will make a difference.

Aída Bardales
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