Latinos and the U.S. Racial Wealth Divide

Seminar Paper , 2007 , 14 Pages , Grade: 2,0

American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

The purpose of this term paper is to study the minority of Latinos, and to some extent Mexican Americans in particular, the problems they have had and still have to cope with when building wealth.
First, I will introduce into the topic and its relevance in the United States by talking about the “Wealth Distribution and the Racial Wealth Divide” in general.
In chapter two, I will give a definiton of the terms “Latino”, “Hispanics”, and “Chicanos” and then provide some basic information on them.
In order to understand today’s situation of Mexican Americans, one must consider their historical background and the involvement of the government blocking Mexican Americans to build wealth for a long time, which I will be dealing with in my third chapter “Looking Back”.
In my fourth chapter “Looking at Today” I will demonstrate Latinos’ and Mexican Americans’ social, financial, and educational situation today by mentioning and evaluating some numbers.
Finally, in my last chapter “Looking Ahead” I will illustrate the importance of Hispanics in the U.S., examine how they will change or already have changed American society, and try to give an outlook for the future development.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Wealth Distribution and the Racial Wealth Divide
• Who are Latinos?
• Looking Back
• Looking at Today
• Looking Ahead

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper aims to explore the challenges faced by the Latino community, particularly Mexican Americans, in building wealth. It examines the historical and contemporary factors contributing to the racial wealth divide and analyzes the socioeconomic situation of Latinos in the United States.

• The Racial Wealth Divide in the United States
• The Socioeconomic Situation of Latinos
• Historical Factors Contributing to Wealth Disparities
• The Role of Government Policies and Programs
• The Future Prospects of the Latino Community

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of wealth distribution and the racial wealth divide in the United States, highlighting the challenges faced by ethnic minorities, particularly Latinos, in accumulating wealth.
• Wealth Distribution and the Racial Wealth Divide: This chapter explores the growing wealth gap between the super-rich and the rest of the American population, focusing on the significant disadvantages faced by ethnic minorities like Latinos in building wealth. It examines historical examples of government policies that have contributed to this divide, including those that have both boosted wealth accumulation for whites and blocked it for minorities.
• Who are Latinos?: This chapter provides a definition of the terms "Latino," "Hispanic," and "Chicano," explaining their nuances and usage. It also presents basic demographic information about the Latino community in the United States.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this term paper include the racial wealth divide, wealth distribution, Latinos, Mexican Americans, government policies, historical factors, socioeconomic situation, and future prospects.

• College: University of Freiburg (Englisches Seminar)
• Course: American Society Today
• Grade: 2,0
• Author: Andreas Keilbach (Author)
• Publication Year: 2007
• Pages: 14
• Catalog Number: V118446
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640216888
• ISBN (Book): 9783640217175
• Language: English
• Tags: Latinos, Racial, Wealth, Divide, American, Society, Today