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U.S. Census Goes Forward

“Are you a U.S. citizen?” The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot include that question on the 2020 census, even though the Trump administration wanted to add it. However, the administration is still trying to get as much citizenship data as possible, and the controversy over whether to add this question could still affect the way undocumented immigrants answer the census. Listen to hear about the controversy over adding a citizenship question to the census and where it stands.
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The Many Meanings of "Hispanic"

The term “Hispanic” refers to a broad array of Spanish-speaking people from various countries, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Many Americans associate the word primarily with Mexicans or Spaniards, though, and do not fully appreciate the diversity it represents. A narrow understanding of “Hispanic” can lead to stereotyping and historical narratives that exclude certain groups. Listen to Hispanic Americans discuss the assumptions people make about them based on the Hispanic label and why it’s important for people to appreciate the complexities of their identities.
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CURRENT EVENT | October 15, 2019

Reconsidering the "Hispanic" Label

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with origins in countries once under Spanish influence. The term “Hispanic” was added to the U.S. census to identify members of a diverse group of people with common interests. However, some people feel the term is problematic because of its connection to Spanish colonialism. Many prefer the term “Latino,” while others like to be identified by their national heritage. Listen to hear a journalist explain various preferences for naming ethnic identity and what they mean to people.

Story Length: 5:47

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Hispanic or Latino

SOURCE:

09/22/2019

Listening Link (share with students)

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https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/1477-reconsidering-the-hispanic-label

Listening Comprehension Questions

According to the story, why do some people within the Latino community dislike the term “Hispanic”?
How do the views of older and younger generations toward the term “Hispanic” differ, according to the journalist interviewed?
Why do some people prefer to be identified by their nationality of origin?
What was the intention behind adding “Hispanic” to the U.S. census?
Why does the journalist say that umbrella terms can create a disadvantage to sub-groups like black Latinos?

Classroom Discussion Themes

How do you self-identify? List as many of your identities as you can (e.g., gender, religion, ethnicity, birth order, etc.), pick the two or three that are most important to you, and explain why.
What factors should be considered when adding a new group to the census? Why?

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