Hispanic Population Growth

Definition

Hispanic Population Growth refers to the rapid increase in individuals who identify as Hispanic or Latino within the United States. This growth is due both to immigration and higher birth rates among Hispanics compared to other racial/ethnic groups.

Analogy

Imagine if you were baking cookies for a party. Initially, you only made chocolate chip cookies (other ethnic groups), but then you started making more oatmeal raisin cookies (Hispanic population). Over time, there are now almost as many oatmeal raisin cookies as there are chocolate chip ones because you've been making them at a faster rate.

Related terms

Immigration Reform Act 1965: Legislation that ended quotas based on nationality and allowed for an increase in immigration from Latin America.

Chicano Movement: Civil rights movement that sought political and social empowerment for Mexican-Americans.

Bilingual Education Act: 1968 law mandating resources for school districts to teach in students' native languages, often Spanish.