NEW Fox News articles can now be heard on audio! September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. More than often, Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike have questioned whether it is still necessary, important, or useful more than 50 years after it was created.
Not only is the response true, but it is truer than ever right now. For Hispanics, it is a moment to reflect on where we are in life, a month of pride and celebration, and a call to action to come together around our common goals and values.
It provides a glimpse into a community whose extreme diversity makes it challenging to create connections that result in a coherent narrative for non-Hispanics. There is one, too.
The truth is that the Hispanic community unites around a single principle despite our differences in race, origin, religion, politics, occupation, socioeconomic status, and every other characteristic and belief.
LATINO LEADER WORKS TO INSTALL A BOOK SERIES CALLED “PRIDE AND COMMUNITY” FOCUSES ON AMERICAN HEROES
Everyone here supports the American Dream. Our lives and aspirations are influenced and directed by the ideals that underpin our wonderful country, regardless of whether our ancestors were among the original settlers in America or came just last year.
American progress is Hispanic progress. We are equally 100% American and 100% Hispanic in every ounce of our being.
Hispanics support advancement. We are motivated by it, and we are significantly advancing America. Here are a few details. The GDP of Hispanics is at least 2.7 trillion dollars. If we were a separate country, our GDP would be one of the top 10 in the world. With 1.9 trillion dollars in purchasing power, any firm operating in the US should understand the need of developing a Hispanic strategy for long-term success.
Hispanics are business-minded. We enjoy being in charge of our own fate and are prepared to put in the time, money, and tenacity required to run our own businesses. 86% of all new business launches during the last ten years have been initiated by Hispanics. Additionally, we are devoted workers who make up an amazing 74% of all new hires and 40% of the overall increase in the workforce.
We are putting to practice our belief that perseverance is the key to success. We outperform all other groups in terms of upward mobility, with income growth of 77% and new home ownership of 48%. Living the American Dream is what we do.
Our faith in education also contributes to our rising success. 73% of adult Hispanics now hold degrees from colleges or universities, putting them in positions requiring higher levels of competence, such as those in the rapidly expanding industries of technology and healthcare.
We are creators, not consumers. The Hispanic community is committed to upholding the obligations of citizenship. We pay federal, state, and municipal taxes totaling $308.5 billion as of the latest current tally. This sum represents an increase of $94 million from only a few years ago.
Every election, we go out and cast our ballots. Contrary to popular beliefs, 80% of our community is made up of citizens, and a large number more are in the process. Our military service is likely the best indicator of our love for our country. We make up 16% of all active-duty military troops, making us the population in the military that is expanding the quickest.
