From projo.com
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Rhode Island news
3.31.2001 00:06
Hispanic leaders: Numbers show our strength
From job opportunities to bilingual education to legislative redistricting, they seek to turn Census 2000 figures into progress for their communities.
BY SCOTT MacKAY
Journal Staff Writer
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Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, chairman, Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committee.
Hispanics have made Providence -- where Hispanic children make up 50 percent of the school population -- and Central Falls cities where minorities are now the majority, a first for the state.
And Hispanics, who now make up about 9 percent of the state's population, have been largely responsible for the rejuvenation of such areas as Broad Street and the South Side of Providence, where businesses have sprouted over the past decade.
Yesterday, a group of Hispanic community and political activists held a news conference at the Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy, on Elmwood Avenue in Providence, to call attention to the census numbers, which were released Thursday, and urge state political leaders to pay closer attention to concerns of their community. CHisPA, the state AFL-CIO, Progreso Latino, the Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committee and Quisqueya In Action were among the groups represented.
"The results of the 2000 Census finally come out and tell us what community activists, teachers and the Department of Motor Vehicles has known for a long time -- Rhode Island is increasingly diverse," said Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, chairman of the Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committee.
"It is no longer 'those people,' Rodriguez said. "It is us."
As was the case with other Latino political activists and Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., Rodriguez asserted that even though the census showed surprising growth in Rhode Island's Hispanic community, which doubled in 10 years, from 45,752 to 90,820, it still did not count all Hispanic Rhode Islanders.
Rodriguez pointed to such demographic trends as the 50 percent of Providence schoolchildren who are Hispanic and the fact that the census has traditionally undercounted minorities.
Several speakers said the Hispanic community is out to dismantle stereotypes and puncture prejudice. The vast majority of Hispanics, they said, are like earlier generations of American immigrants: they believe that anyone who works hard, obeys the law, learns English, steers away from a fast-lane lifestyle and saves money can achieve a slice of the good life. They can enjoy a level of middle-class comfort, raise a family, worship in freedom.
"We want to assure everyone that this is not just a group that is coming in to take over or bring fear," said Victor Capellan, board member and former director of CHisPA. "Rather, this is a group of people that come to the state of Rhode Island looking for opportunities, and they are hard-working individuals who will make the state of Rhode Island proud, who will provide resources for the state of Rhode Island and not only use services, as some might think."
The census showed that 52,146, or about 30 percent of Providence's population, is now Hispanic. (The census recognizes just one ethnic minority, Hispanics, who may be of any race.) For the first time in Rhode Island history, the census showed, there are two communities, Central Falls and Providence, where members of minority groups outnumber non-Hispanic whites.
The Hispanic leaders who met yesterday cited several pressing issues, including:
Representation on the General Assembly commission that will redraw the state's legislative districts for the 2002 elections. House Majority Leader Gerard Martineau, D-Woonsocket, said legislative leaders are committed to appointing a commission that "reflects the diversity of the state."
Defeat of legislation sponsored by Rep. Myrna George, D-Exeter that would dismantle bilingual education programs in state schools.
Defeat of legislation, pushed by the state Department of Motor Vehicles, that would require Hispanics seeking driver's licenses to show Social Security cards.
Increasing state financing for programs to help Hispanics learn English. Many of those programs are oversubscribed; the International Institute, in Providence, has a waiting list of more than 1,400 people for its English language program.
Building bridges with other minority groups, including blacks and Southeast Asians, with whom they often share neighborhoods.
Increasing job opportunities for Hispanics in state and local agencies. "The bottom line is that the community has grown and we need to ensure that the resources are there to serve the needs of the community," said Luisa Murillo, executive director of CHisPA. "We will continue in the next election to mobilize our Latino voters."
Said Rodriguez, "What this growth means is that we must redouble our efforts to make education of our children the priority it deserves to be. Being Latino should be a ticket to a better job by virtue of our bilingualism, not a risk factor for dropping out of school and ending up in the ACI."
Rep. Paul Moura, D-Providence, a field representative for the state AFL-CIO, said state unions will redouble their efforts to organize Hispanic workers. Citing national statistics, Moura said unionized Hispanic workers earn, on average, 53 percent more than nonunionized Hispanic workers.
"Every department of state government better look at their work force, their management and their strategy for the future," Rodriguez said. "Because unless Latinos figure prominently, the future is in jeopardy. We are no longer the last people off the boat. We are all in this boat together."
With staff reports from David Herzog
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