Hispanics’ Views Challenge Minority Label.

While recent U.S. Census data says that Hispanics have fast become the nation’s largest minority population, a new survey commissioned by the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) shows that Chicagoland Hispanics hold many views that challenge assumptions commonly associated with minority groups. The results have far reaching consequences in the policy and political arenas.

The survey of 900 Hispanic adults throughout the Chicago metropolitan area was conducted from November 2 – 7, 2002, by Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart Research. The survey sampled 300 Hispanics in Chicago, 300 in suburban Cook County and 300 in Will, Lake and DuPage counties. The survey has a margin of error of 3.27 percent.

“This data clearly show any policies based on assumptions that lump all minorities together may be misguided, and certainly any politicians or political parties that fail to recognize the unique characteristics of this community do so at their peril,” said UNO Executive Director Juan Rangel. “The findings strongly support the view that minority assumptions do not match Hispanic reality.”

Rangel said UNO commissioned the survey because of misperceptions about the Hispanic community that influence policy making and media coverage. “Too often the needs and opinions of our community are filtered through the lens of community leaders, service providers and politicians. We at UNO are committed to representing the authentic voice of this community, and this research is a significant step in that direction,” said Rangel.

Rangel said that the study should serve as a wake-up call to those who paint all “minorities” with a broad brush. The experiences, expectations and perspectives of Hispanics lead this group to different views from other minority groups on such hot button issues as discrimination, affirmative action, education, economic potential, gentrification and faith in national institutions.

One of the sharpest challenges to conventional wisdom regarding the Hispanic community involves discrimination. While the media, policymakers and the general public tend to view

Hispanics as victims of discrimination, the data indicates that Hispanics themselves tend to reject this characterization.

74 percent of survey respondents say that they receive fair treatment.

Only 17 percent view themselves as personally discriminated against.

Much like their immigrant forebears, Chicagoland Hispanics embrace assimilation as a primary goal for themselves and their children.

Just 33 percent view area Hispanics as “well integrated into the overall American culture today.”

But 62 percent believe that twenty years from now, area Hispanics will fit this characterization, rather than feeling like a distinct and separate minority group.

The value placed on assimilation plays out most tellingly in Hispanics’ views of their neighborhoods.

Only 11 percent say that their “ideal” neighborhood is one that is largely Hispanic. This view is shared in both urban and suburban areas.

Just 17 percent say that the “loss of Hispanic culture” is a very serious issue facing their neighborhood.

Less than half say they will still be in their same neighborhood 10 years from now.

Given the value placed on assimilation, it should not be surprising that a solid majority of Hispanics say that neighborhood gentrification “is more of a good thing than a bad thing” when put into the context of rising property
values and better paying jobs.

Chicagoland Hispanics hold resoundingly positive views of their future, the American dream and their hopes for the next generation. This optimism is expressed in positive views about their economic future and that of their children, and a strong faith in both national and local institutions.

Fully 61 percent believe their personal economic future will improve in the next two years, with young Hispanics (69 percent) and recent immigrants (65 percent) the most positive in their financial outlook.

An overwhelming majority also expressed their faith that “Hispanics who work hard for a living and follow the rules will get ahead in the United States.”

89 percent of those who have immigrated to the U.S. and 83 percent of native-born Hispanics agree with this sentiment.

This optimism for the economic future and Hispanics commitment to the American dream is demonstrated most powerfully in their outlook for their children.

74 percent of Hispanic parents say their children will be economically better off than they are today.

Hispanics’ optimism about the future is rooted in an understanding of the value of education. One of the most striking results from this survey is the priority Chicagoland Hispanics place on education. While just 18 percent of the national population place education as the top national priority,

41 percent of Chicagoland Hispanics say education should be the top priority for national policymakers.

Optimism is expressed in Hispanics’ faith in American institutions — from the smallest scale in neighbor to neighbor interactions to confidence in the military, the Catholic Church or police.

72 percent say that people in their neighborhood “help each other out and watch out for each other’s children and homes” and many cite their neighbors as the best thing about where they live.

85 percent say they have a great deal or some confidence in police in Chicago area, despite an overwhelming concern about crime and gangs that exists particularly among Hispanics in the city.

78 percent express a great deal or some confidence in public schools in Chicago (exceeding the 68 percent who expressed the same view about parochial schools).

56 percent of Chicagoland Hispanics express faith in financial institutions.

52 percent have faith in large corporations.

“The Hispanic community is often viewed as a disadvantaged group, victimized by discrimination, and dependent on civil rights or affirmative action laws and entitlements,” said Rangel. “This research challenges such notions and depicts a community in which people embrace opportunity and the American dream and strongly believe they can achieve it.”