In Immigration
In Movies / Film
As this is our last issue of 2007 , I wanted to focus on the year , and what it meant to
Latinos living in the United States .
The Good , the Bad …
The rise and fall of 2007
As the year moves quickly toward its end , it almost feels like 2007 went by in a blur of headline news , escandalos , organized marches , big screen debuts and a Latino candidate for Presidente ! All this and more , brought one thing sharply into focus : Latinos -- Hispanics ( which ever term you chose to refer to ) -- had made a HUGE dent in the world in 2007 !
In Immigration
The issue of Immigration has been the biggest “ Latino ” issue in 2007 . The subject of Immigration is something that has brought U . S . Hispanics together in a common bond , with huge rallies and organized marches . This is an issue that directly or indirectly affects every Latino living in the United States . Latinos can be multiracial , multi-religious , and multiethnic . We share a common language , customs , beliefs and a beautiful culture . We are a close-knit , hardworking , God-fearing community that simply wants a better tomorrow for our families and for our children .
The issue of illegal immigration , with its broad sub-issues ranging from mass deportation to general amnesty , to the building of a 700-mile wall , have not only sparked intense controversy recently , but has been debated since the country ’ s founding . As legal and illegal immigrant populations and their descendants continue to climb , the issue has taken on a new importance and focus .
What the Pros Believe : The United States of America is a country of immigrants . Proponents believe that illegal immigration benefits the US economy through additional tax revenue , expansion of the low-cost labor pool , and increased money in circulation . They argue that undocumented immigrants perform jobs that keep American society running smoothly . They believe immigrants bring good values , have motivations consistent with the American dream , and that opposition to immigration stems from racism .
What the Cons Believe : Opponents of illegal immigration believe that aliens broke the law by crossing the borders without proper documentation or by overstaying their visas , and therefore deportation is the appropriate option . They regard illegal aliens as criminals , potential terrorists , and social and economic burdens . They argue that undocumented immigrants should not have the right to change their legal status because such lenience will encourage more illegal aliens .
Population Announced on May 17 , 2007 , by the U . S . Census Bureau Minority Population Tops 100 Million
The nation ’ s minority population reached 100.7 million , according to the national and state estimates by race , Hispanic origin , sex and age released today by the U . S . Census Bureau . A year ago , the minority population totaled 98.3 million .
44 Million & Growing ! According to the U . S . Census Bureau , Latinos will exceed 100 million by the year 2050 .
Buying Power Hispanics topped all U . S . minority groups for purchasing power in 2007 , according to annual buying power study from UGA ’ s Selig Center for Economic Growth .
In this regard , 2007 will end , marking the first year that Hispanics control more disposable personal income than any other U . S . minority group . The Selig Center estimated Hispanic buying power will be $ 926 billion by the end of 2007 .
Whether it was on the ball park , or on the court , on the field , or on the golf course ; in the classroom , or in the boardroom ; on stage , on television , or even in the White House , there is no question about it , “ the Latino World ” was big news in 2007 , so , we wanted to highlight a few of those HIGHS and some of the lows …
In Movies / Film
Jimmy Smits ; Cane The Most Latino-centric Show in TV History Finally Arrived in 2007 ! The rumors were buzzing about “ Cane ” for weeks before it premiered , and now the long-awaited show about a Cuban- American family in Miami running a rum dynasty premiered on CBS ! What can we compare it with ? A Telenovela ? Dynasty ? Dallas ? The Sopranos ? Cane has an impressive cast led by Jimmy Smits , Hector Elizondo , Rita Moreno and more . Whether you love it or hate it , there ’ s no denying that “ Cane ” is a part of Latino American history .
Best Comedy – TV Series ABC ’ s popular comedy “ Ugly Betty ” recently returned for a second season on Thursday nights . The series continues to balance outlandish telenovela type plot twists , like a brother that was thought to be dead returning as a woman ! Yet , despite all the crazy stuff going on , viewers care most about the trials of Betty and her friends and family .
The premiere season episode , which was aptly titled “ How Betty Got Her Grieve Back ,” finds our heroine in denial about the state of her life : Her father Ignacio is stuck en Mexico ; her sister ’ s fiancée is killed in a hold-up ; her boss Daniel , and his sister ( brother ) were in a car accident ; and her true love Henry has left her to be with his pregnant ex-girlfriend , who is actually pregnant by someone else . Ayyyy Dios Mio , now that ’ s a Novela !
Props to ‘ Ugly Betty ’ star America Ferrera , who not only won an Emmy this year for her portrayal as “ Ugly Betty ” but who has also been named as the ‘ Hispanic Woman of the Year ’ by Billboard and the Hollywood Reporter .
Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony El Cantante Despite some very big names appearing in the film , salsa music that made your heart pound while you danced in your seat , lots and lots of publicity and a very eager audience awaiting its release , El Cantante fell short !
Most Latinos can identify with the music of Hector Lavoe ; he is a legend , recognized by young and old . Therefore , it was no surprise that many Lavoe fans flocked to theaters on opening night , and most cities held an “ El Cantante ” release event in association with the release . Theaters were jam-packed with Lavoe fans eager to find out more about the tragic life of El Cantante . Instead , we were greeted by the story of Puchi and Hector .
The movie follows Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony as Puchi and Hector Lavoe , showing the rise of the salsa music icon and his eventual drug addiction and death to aids in 1993 . Most people either loved it or hated it ! But movie critics mainly hated it , and El Cantante received bad reviews .
16 LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE | October - December 2007