Latino Ethnic Consciousness

<p>Focusing on Mexican-American and Puerto Rican populations in Chicago <em>Latino Ethnic Consciousness</em> documents the development of a collective Hispanic or Latino ethnic identity distinct and separate from the national and cultural affiliations of Spanish-speaking groups. Author Felix Padilla explores the internal dynamics and external conditions which have prompted this move past individual group boundaries to a broader ethnic identity.</p><p>According to Padilla the Latino ethnic identity develops from the cultural and structural similarities of two or more Spanish-speaking groups and often in response to common experiences of social inequality. In that ethnic identities have to a large extent been encouraged by the division of the labor market in America's industrial society he argues that the Latino consciousness represents a situational ethnic identity which functions according to the needs of the groups. He describes how such conditions as poverty and racial discrimination have necessitated the assertion of a broader Latino ethnic consciousness and behavior often more successful in social action than individual cultural or national associations.</p><p>In case studies from the early 70s Padilla examines Affirmative Action the Spanish Coalition for Jobs--spurred by activist Hector Franco--and the Latino Institute and their influence on the growth of Latino solidarity and mobilization in Chicago.</p><p>In refining the concept of Latino and Hispanic and establishing its significance in society <em>Latino Ethnic Consciousness</em> serves as an analytic framework for further study of ethnic change in America.</p>