According to a recent informal Linkedin poll Hispanic Americans remain fragmented within their own community.  The poll was conducted by American Latino Media in the fall of 2010.  Four Hispanic linkedin groups were selected to identify which of the following terms they associated with:  Hispanic, American Hispanic, Latino and American Latino.  According to poll results, 40% of all respondents did not check on any choices, but rather elaborated on their specific country of origin. 

One might expect this response given the diverse and rather complex composition of the US Hispanic population.  However, given the growing number of US born Hispanics and the growing use of the English language as a means for communication, one would expect the contrary.  Can it be that the Hispanic community is in a state of evolution?  Are Hispanics importing existing Latin American fragmentation? Can Hispanics unite as one American group that could effect dynamic community social and economic advancement?

In my opinion, political, historical, economic ties and circumstances between Latin America and The US have contributed a great deal to our sense of pride and cultural values.  Projecting a strong sense of unity under a common American term that breaks racial, ethnic and religious barriers would make it easier on us and on those who manage the establishment to deliver what is right.

The goal is to gather like minded American Latinos/ Hispanics to engage in helping advance the US Latino agenda and sharing ideas on how Hispanics and Latinos can grow and participate in political, economic and social initiatives in the US.  This group is more about collaboration. The Meet-Up platform facilitates the process of bringing like-minded Hispanics/ Latinos together to jump start a unified and collaborative effort to promote the integration and advancement of our community” says Hugo Lembert, Meeting Organizer.  This network would best serve Hispanic Professionals, Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Government workers/ Officials and just about anyone interested in Hispanic/ Latino affairs adds Lembert.

The first meeting is taking place in a casual setting.  Subsequent meetings will take place every other Thursday (place and location to be determined).  In each meeting, members will network, discuss what they have done during the past two weeks and offer each other suggestions on how to improve their chances for success.  A critical benefit is the support and encouragement the American Latino/ Hispanic Network provides.  Members will have an opportunity to speak about topics such as business, education, education, politics and culture and identity in the US.  

The first meeting takes place on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at Guarapo Restaurant and Lounge.  The Courthouse House Metro station is just steps away.  You may join this new Meetup Group for details about this and future meetings.

According to comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, the U.S. Hispanic Internet market reached a record of 20.3 million visitors in February 2009, representing 11 percent of the total U.S. online market. During the past year, the growth of the U.S Hispanic Internet audience outpaced that of the total U.S. online population in terms of number of visitors, time spent and pages consumed, as Hispanic online adoption and engagement accelerated.

The U.S. Hispanic online audience growth to 20.3 million users also represents a year to year growth of 6 percent. Hispanic Internet users also exhibited a surge in online engagement, including strong increases in time spent and pages consumed. The total amount of time spent online by Hispanics increased 6.9 percent in 2009 (3.9 times faster than the total U.S. online population), while total pages consumed grew 6 percent (3.6 times faster than the total U.S. population).

According to the Hispanic Pew Institute, English dominant Hispanics lead Internet audience growth. Approximately 78% of English speaking Latinos and 76% of Bilingual Latinos use the Internet, compared to 32% of Spanish dominant Latinos, 67% non-Hispanic whites and 58% non-Hispanic Blacks. Furthermore, 89% of Hispanics who have a college degree, 70% who have completed high school and 31% who did not complete high school use the Internet.

According to Research and Markets, a market research resource, there are significant differences in how online Hispanics consume online media in contrast to non-Hispanics even when different demographics, online attitudes and behaviors are considered. Hispanic Internet users continue to look for content that is increasingly relevant and connects with their cultural aspirations.  Marketing successfully to online Hispanics/ Latinos requires marketers to understand the different segments of Hispanic consumers as it pertains to language, income, education, and levels of acculturation that are unique to this segment of the online population.

The United States has slid behind in education, health care and economic growth to dangerous levels when compared to other developed countries.  All three of these core elements intertwine.  The Hispanic and Latino communities segments have been the hardest hit.

According to a study conducted by UNICEF, The US lags behind 17 countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia, Belgium, Hungary, Netherlands and Finland. Another prominent study, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, shows a steady decline in the performance of American students from grades 4 to 12 in comparison to their peers in other countries.

American Latinos are positioned to bring forth meaningful contributions to our society.  According to the Hispanic Pew Institute in Washington, D.C., Hispanics will represent 24% of the total US Hispanic population by the year 2050. American Latinos have a distinct advantage of serving as multi-cultural agents capable of bridging the gap between two worlds and being susceptible to multi-cultural dynamics and diversity that exists in today’s economic global village.

he US Hispanic and Latino population segment is evolving as the growth of US born Hispanics takes its course.   Second, third and fourth generation Hispanics and Latinos are are on the rise and so is the ease of switching from one culture to another.   Assimilation and acculturation conditions may also diminish any divisive cultural barriers normally found within the foreign born Hispanic and Latino segment.  As a result, we are already experiencing a rise of an American Latino culture as more Hispanics and Latinos; regardless of what Latin American country of origin; view themselves as one group in the eyes of others, including non Hispanic and Latino contemporaries.

The American Latino breaks racial, ethnic, cultural and religious barriers to form one single voice as diverse as the so called Anglo and Latin American worlds.   He/ she is an emerging American who happens to retain strong moral and cultural values from his/ her ancestors.   For this reason, I believe that the perception of what it is to be Hispanic/ Latino today will change considerably in the next few decades.