The government uses “Hispanic” as an umbrella term for everyone who
is of Spanish-speaking national or ethnic origins. Figure 14.1 draws
attention to how broad this category is, how many different national
identities, world views and cultures are subsumed into the idea of
Hispanic.
Diversity over Space^2
One indication that Latinos/as retain strong ties to homeland and heritage
can be seen in settlement patterns (Figure 14.2). For example, large-scale
immigration from Cuba began with Castro’s rise to power in 1959. Those
immigrants formed communities in Southern Florida (such as “Little
Havana” in Miami) and the metropolitan New York area. Cubans –
especially those who feel strongly about returning to the homeland and
regaining political power – maintain strong ties to Cuba, its culture, and to
each other. There are neighborhoods in the cities and towns of Southern
Florida where Spanish is the dominant – and sometimes the only –
language (Figure 14.3).