Latino Focus Group
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Latino Focus Group
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• “ If you if you are part of old Arlington … then you know you ’ re respected … When I ’ m in the same circles with my wife around when I ’ m the only Hispanic in the room . You don ’ t feel like you ’ re noticed … there ’ s not that same respect that My wife is privileged to have … there ’ s a lot of things about Arlington that are that are primarily for white Americans … I know how to navigate the system . I understand who the key players are in our city . And so I ’ ve established relationships with them . But again , I ’ m a person of privilege . I had a position of authority and influence … Most Hispanics don ’ t have that in our community .”
Division Among Neighborhoods and Segregation
The participants in both study groups stated that there was a stark difference among the different neighborhoods in Arlington . This difference was described as segregation as well as a difference in the access to resources among communities . Even those that are not from the City of Arlington notice the difference in quality of life between neighborhoods . Not only does this segregation limit diversity to a few select areas in the city , it is also seen as people living in “ bubbles ” which causes them to be unaware of the experiences of others in the City . Some suggest that public transportation will not only help large families , students and workers without cars get around the city but will also provide an avenue where people from different experiences can cross paths .
• “ The whole distinction between the neighborhoods . It ’ s very stark , you can definitely understand . You can see that with your own eyes , and even for me who ’ s not a resident of Arlington . I even noticed it , you know . And I feel like a lot of the times the support is given in certain neighborhoods and not others .”
Education
Public education is seen as fundamental component in Latino economic mobility . Participants identified areas where more resources are needed . These areas include : funding for extracurriculars for students , connecting with at-risk youth , providing access to college material and preparation , and educating first generation students the value of college and of different career paths . Hispanic students were seen as not given the same kind of access to college resources like scholarships and dual-credit courses .
• “ Success in school comes from parental support , and a lot of that is lacked here … because a lot of parents here are immigrants ... and are just worried about making enough for the bills . I was lucky enough to be in the marching band and … [ when ] we would go to competitions and we ’ d see other schools with the newest uniforms and trailers and a big crowd at the football games and then On our side , we would have a really old uniforms really outdated instruments … I just thought , ‘ oh , this is the way it is . It ’ s normal . That ’ s them . This is us .’ But as I went on to TCC and to UTA I realized like , ‘ man , we had a lot of setbacks …’ I just have to keep saying support . Not just from the city level , but even internal support … In my experience , … I have a big family , but not all of my aunts and uncles are as supportive as my parents have been , so it ’ s also definitely a cultural thing . I don ’ t think all of these issues have one solution if we ’ re discussing solutions , there ’ s very many different angles that need to be looked at and one of them is just what is life like at the home . And it plays a big role .”
Unity Council Report 123