Latinos play a crucial part in the United States. If you watched CNN's recent "Latino in America" special, you probably got a good glimpse of it.
U.S. Latinos number 44 million and counting. By 2010, we will make up 16 percent of the population. We'll total 22 percent by 2030 _ one in every five people, according to the Census Bureau. But beyond the numbers lies a kaleidoscope of cultures and individuals leaving indelible marks across our society.
Latinos are everywhere.
We're business and civic leaders.
We're entertainers and educators.
We're artists and scientists.
Look closely at your daily life, and more than likely, you will have casual or significant contact with one Latino during a typical day.
Maybe she's your preschooler's teacher.
Maybe he's the owner of your favorite restaurant.
Maybe she's the anchor of your local news.
Maybe he's your daughter's soccer coach.
Millions of Americans' lives are enriched by the diverse roles Latinos have taken on across our society.
When you buy books from Amazon.com, you're acknowledging the service Jeff Bezos has provided.
When you cheer for your favorite baseball team, you're cheering also for its star players.
When you watch movies, you admire the Oscar-caliber performances by the likes of Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
When you or your kids listen to music, you and they can rock out to the latest from Christina Aguilera or Shakira.
Though we embrace being called Latinos, we really like it when people acknowledge our individual heritage. Latinos come from all over Latin America and Spain. More than two-thirds of us are Mexican, followed by Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Salvadorans, Dominicans and Guatemalans.
A lot of us are new Americans, with 61 percent born in our native countries. But we're growing our families and futures here. We've made this country our home, in every way that is possible.
And that includes politics.
U.S. Latinos number 44 million and counting. By 2010, we will make up 16 percent of the population. We'll total 22 percent by 2030 _ one in every five people, according to the Census Bureau. But beyond the numbers lies a kaleidoscope of cultures and individuals leaving indelible marks across our society.
Latinos are everywhere.
We're business and civic leaders.
We're entertainers and educators.
We're artists and scientists.
Look closely at your daily life, and more than likely, you will have casual or significant contact with one Latino during a typical day.
Maybe she's your preschooler's teacher.
Maybe he's the owner of your favorite restaurant.
Maybe she's the anchor of your local news.
Maybe he's your daughter's soccer coach.
Millions of Americans' lives are enriched by the diverse roles Latinos have taken on across our society.
When you buy books from Amazon.com, you're acknowledging the service Jeff Bezos has provided.
When you cheer for your favorite baseball team, you're cheering also for its star players.
When you watch movies, you admire the Oscar-caliber performances by the likes of Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
When you or your kids listen to music, you and they can rock out to the latest from Christina Aguilera or Shakira.
Though we embrace being called Latinos, we really like it when people acknowledge our individual heritage. Latinos come from all over Latin America and Spain. More than two-thirds of us are Mexican, followed by Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Salvadorans, Dominicans and Guatemalans.
A lot of us are new Americans, with 61 percent born in our native countries. But we're growing our families and futures here. We've made this country our home, in every way that is possible.
And that includes politics.
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