Hispanics/Latinos in the United States : Ethnicity, Race, and Rights

This collection of cutting-edge essays on the Hispanic/Latino population in the US makes a major contribution to Philosophy, Ethnic Studies and Latin American studies.

Already the largest minority group in the United States, by the middle of the next century Hispanics/Latinos will outnumber all other minority groups combined. As such an increasingly important presence in American society, their values, views, and rights must be taken into account by the American population at large. But Hispanics/Latinos, far from being homogenous, differ greatly in terms of origin, race, language, religion, political affiliation, customs, physical appearance, economic status, education, and taste, among other things. This diversity raises important questions about their identity and their rights. Is there a single Hispanic/Latino identity, or are there many identities based on such specifics as class and origin? Do Hispanics/Latinos as such have rights, or are their rights based only on their particular origin or situation? Does affirmative action apply to all Hispanics/Latinos, or just to some?

Hispanics/Latinos in the United States brings together for the first time an impressive collection of interdisciplinary essays by scholars across the nation, in an attempt to come to grips with these pressing issues. From a broad historical account of the racial and ethnic character of the term Hispanic to discussions of Hispanic identity issues in the law, politics and education, this provocative and cutting-edge collection is an important contribution to the national conversation about identity and rights in America today.

The presence and impact of Hispanics/Latinos in the United States cannot be ignored. Already the largest minority group, by 2050 their numbers will exceed all the other minority groups in the United States combined. The diversity of this population is often understated, but the people differ in terms of their origin, race. language, custom, religion, political affiliation, education and economic status. The heterogeneity of the Hispanic/Latino population raises questions about their identity and their rights: do they really constitute a group? That is, do they have rights as a group, or just as individuals? This volume, addresses these concerns through a varied and interdisciplinary approach. "Written by Jorge Gracia, one of the most influential thinkers of Hispanic/Latino descent, this volume provides an introduction to the philosophical, social, and political elements of Hispanic/Latino identity."--BOOK JACKET. "The book explores central historical and current debates surrounding Hispanic/Latino culture, thought, and identity in the United States, Spain, and Latin American countries. Gracia's interdisciplinary approach is systematic and he uses philosophical analysis along with the history of philosophy to clarity and illustrate his provocative theses."--BOOK JACKET. "The essays collected in this volume represent the efforts of a varied and interdisciplinary group of scholars to come to grips with some of these pressing issues. Although the government generally defines Hispanics/Latinos in ethnic terms, the category is often used racially. One of the central unifying threads in this volume, then, is the relationship between Hispanic/Latino identity, on the one hand, and ethnicity and race, on the other."--BOOK JACKET.

This volume provides a superb introduction to the philosophical, social, and political elements of Hispanic/Latino identity. It is an indispensable tool for anyone interested in issues that concern Hispanics/Latinos, social policy, and the history of thought and culture.

Written by Jorge Gracia, a thinker of Hispanic/Latino descent, this volume provides an introduction to the philosophical, social, and political elements of Hispanic/Latino identity. The author explores central historical and current debates surrounding Hispanic/Latino culture. Edited By Jorge J.e. Gracia & Pablo De Greiff. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [253]-268) And Indexes.