A 3 page essay that discusses made in the introduction to the text Latino/A Popular Culture (2002). Editors Michelle Habell-Pallan and Mary Romero make a number of pertinent points on this subject. First of all, the authors point out that the term "Latino" is "politically charged," defined in different ways by various diverse communities (Habell-Pallan and Romero 3). Also, the authors make the point that popular culture not only addresses "ethnic and racial identity" and how it is "contested, reproduced and transformed," but popular culture also represents an area in society in which the struggle for equality is actively engaged (Habell-Pallan and Romero 6). The writer discusses these points. No additional sources cited.
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points on this subject. First of all, the authors point out that the term "Latino" is "politically charged," defined in different ways by various diverse communities (Habell-Pallan and Romero 3).
Also, the authors make the point that popular culture not only addresses "ethnic and racial identity" and how it is "contested, reproduced and transformed," but popular culture also represents an
area in society in which the struggle for equality is actively engaged (Habell-Pallan and Romero 6). The 2000 U.S. Census revealed that people of Latin American descent now make
up the largest ethnic minority in the country, which is a statistic that has profound political repercussions. However, while their numbers are lumped together demographically, the authors point out that
this ethnic minority is far from being homogeneous. They list the various countries of origin that impart differences in worldview and cultural references to the meaning of "Latino/a." There
are sharp distinctions between "immigrants and their descendants" who came to the U.S. voluntarily and "those who became involuntary Americans through conquest and...appropriation" (Habell-Pallan and Romero 5). The authors
also mention the "historical ties" between certain groups: "Cubans and Republicans and Chicanos/Mexicanos and the Democratic Party" (Habell-Pallan and Romero 5). These distinctions are also influenced by perceptions of race
and those Latino(a)s who are perceived as "white." The student researching this topic is encouraged to offer a personal opinion when responding to this point. This writer/tutor agrees with
the authors that there are sharp distinctions in the way that politics interact with the Latino(a) minority as a whole. This has become particularly true since the publication of this
text. For example, the Republicans and the Bush administration are pushing further militarizing the Mexican/American border. The authors state the "topic of color and the ability to pass as white
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