sic, dance, and food. Latinos benefit both financially
and socially from education and proficient English
language skills.
Subsequent Events In 2003, the U.S. Census Bu-
reau announced that Latinos had officially become
the largest minority in the United States, exceeding
the number of African Americans. It is estimated
that by the year 2020, Latinos will made up 25 per-
cent of the U.S. population.
Further Reading
Bean, Frank D., et al.At the Crossroads: Mexico and U.S.
Immigration Policy. Lanham, Md.: Rowman &
Littlefield, 1997. Examines the economic situa-
tion in Mexico, Mexican immigration, and U.S.
immigration policy.
Diaz Soto, Lourdes, ed.The Praeger Handbook of La-
tino Education in the U.S. Westport, Conn.: Praeger,
- Issues of Latino education, arranged in al-
phabetical order by topic.
Gonzalez, Juan.Harvest of Empire: A Histor y of Latinos
in America. New York: Penguin Books, 2000. His-
tory of Latinos and Latino immigration in the
United States.
Padilla, Amanda M., et al. “The English-Only Move-
ment: Myths, Reality, and Implications for Psy-
chology.” American Psychologist, 46, no.2 (Feb-
ruary, 1991): 120-130. Article contains the history
of English-only advocacy in the
United States and issues relating
to the bilingual education debate.
Also discusses the necessity of bi-
lingual communication in provid-
ing health care to patients with
limited English skills.
Therrien, Melissa, and Roberto R.
Ramirez. “The Hispanic Popula-
tion in the United States: Popula-
tion Characteristics.” U.S. Census
Bureau. http:// http://www.census.gov/
prod/2001pubs/p20-535.pdf.
Summary of demographic trends
for Latinos in the United States
during the 1990’s.
Elizabeth Cramer
See also Alvarez, Julia; Demograph-
ics of the United States; Illegal immi-
gration; Immigration Act of 1990; Im-
migration to the United States; Latin
America; Mexico and the United States; North Ameri-
can Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); Novello, An-
tonia Coello; Race relations; Selena; Sosa, Sammy; TV
Martí. Lee, Spike
Identification American film director, writer,
producer, and actor
Born March 20, 1957; Atlanta, Georgia
In the 1990’s, Lee was the most visible, vocal, and success-
ful of a growing group of African American filmmakers. He
became the first African American producer-director to
achieve international fame, working within mainstream
American cinema.
Born Shelton Lee, the feisty youngster was dubbed
“Spike” by his family, who moved to Brooklyn when
Lee was a child. New York City would later figure as
the primary setting for most of his controversial and
innovative films. After graduating from a traditionally
black college, Lee received graduate film training at
New York University’s prestigious film school. His the-
sis project won a student academy award and was soon
followed by a hugely successful feature,She’s Gotta
Have It(1986), made on a shoestring budget. The ex-
plosiveDo the Right Thing(1989), written, produced,The Nineties in America Lee, Spike 509
Spike Lee in 1991.(AP/Wide World Photos)