fbpx
Wikipedia

History of Central Americans in Los Angeles

January 01, 1970

The City of Los Angeles includes a prominent Central American population. As of 2010 it is the second largest Latino and Hispanic ethnic group in Los Angeles after Mexican-Americans.[1] The largest Central American groups were Guatemalans, Hondurans and Salvadorans.[2]

History edit

The first Central Americans arrived in the 1940s.[1] In the 1970s the population of Central Americans were evenly distributed between the national origins and was relatively small. David E. Lopez, Eric Popkin, and Edward Telles, authors of "Central Americans: At the Bottom: Struggling to Get Ahead", stated that the Central American groups with "runaway" growth were the Guatemalans and Salvadorans. By 1980 the Guatemalan and Salvadoran populations were the largest Central American populations in Greater Los Angeles. Between 1980 and 1990 these groups increased almost by fivefold.[3] Many Salvadorans were fleeing the Salvadoran Civil War.[4]

In 2008 Esmeralda Bermudez of the Los Angeles Times wrote that by then there were strong relations between the Salvadoran community and the Mexican community, noting that they "have mingled at work, school and church for nearly three decades; they have intermarried, baptized each other's children and cried at each other's funerals."[4]

As of 2010 the majority of Los Angeles's Central American population had arrived during the late 1970s and the late 1980s. Due to civil wars and political persecution, many Guatemalans and Salvadorans arrived in the 1980s.[1]

Economics edit

As of 1996 the predominant occupation of the Guatemalan and Salvadoran groups in Los Angeles are manufacturing and service jobs that pay low wages.[2]

As of 1996, the median income of Guatemalan and Salvadoran households of Los Angeles is about 60% of the median income of non-Central American groups.[5]

When many Salvadorans arrived in Los Angeles in the 1980s, they sought employment at Mexican-owned businesses because there was no pre-established significant Salvadoran community. This put pressure on Salvadorans to adopt Mexican culture and customs.[4]

Demographics edit

 
 
Salvadoran Americans participating in the Rose Parade. Salvadorans are the largest Central American group in Los Angeles and also in the U.S

As of 2009 up to 560,000 Central Americans lived in Greater Los Angeles.[6] "As many as 560,000 Central Americans live in the Los Angeles area." As of 2008 over 350,000 ethnic Salvadorans lived in Los Angeles County. Most of them lived around MacArthur Park.[4]

As of the 1990 U.S. Census there were 580,000 Central Americans in Greater Los Angeles.[7] This includes 302,000 Salvadorans, 159,000 Guatemalans, 44,000 Nicaraguans, and 75,000 from other Central American countries.[3] The total number of Central Americans makes up 44% of all Central Americans in the entire United States, and 12% of the Latino population.[7]

As of 1996 the family size of Central American households is, according to Lopez, Popkin, and Telles, "considerably" above average.[5]

As of 1996 the poverty rates of Guatemalan and Salvadoran households in Los Angeles is 2.5 times greater than the rate of non-Central American households. The per capita income of Guatemalans and Salvadoran Americans is fewer than 40% of the per capita income of non-Central Americans. The disparity in earning between Central Americans and non-Central Americans is more severe than the median income disparity, but Lopez, Popkin, and Telles wrote that the larger than average number of wage earners per household "somewhat" compensates for the earning disparity.[5]

Geography edit

 
Pico-Union, Los Angeles became the first destination Central Americans settled in when entering the city

Rosamaria Segura, the author of Central Americans in Los Angeles, wrote that the Pico-Union area has the "most conspicuous" presence of Central Americans in Los Angeles.[1] In August 2012, the City of Los Angeles designated a portion of Vermont Avenue in Pico-Union as the "El Salvador Community Corridor."[8]

Languages edit

As of 1996 the Central American groups continue to speak their native languages.[2]

As of 2008 many Salvadoran immigrants began adopting Mexican Spanish due to contact with the Mexican community and in order to better fit into the Mexican community, along with adopting aspects of Mexican culture. Some Salvadorans in Los Angeles insist on using Salvadoran Spanish.[4]

Education edit

The Oscar Romero Charter Middle School opened in 2007. The school, named after Óscar Romero, teaches Salvadoran children about their heritage.[4]

Culture and recreation edit

Salvadoran Day is celebrated in Los Angeles each summer. Many pupusa restaurants operate in Los Angeles.[4]

Notable Central Americans from Los Angeles edit

References edit

  • Lopez, David E., Eric Popkin, and Edward Telles. "Central Americans: At the Bottom: Struggling to Get Ahead" (Chapter 10). In: Waldinger, Roger and Mehdi Bozorgmehr (editors). Ethnic Los Angeles. Russell Sage Foundation, December 5, 1996. Start page 279. ISBN 0871549018, 9780871549013.
  • Segura, Rosamaria. Central Americans in Los Angeles. Arcadia Publishing, 2010. ISBN 0738571636, 9780738571638.

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d Segura, p. 8.
  2. ^ a b c Lopez, Popkin, and Telles, p. 279.
  3. ^ a b Lopez, Popkin, and Telles, p. 281.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Bermudez, Esmeralda. "In L.A., speaking 'Mexican' to fit in." Los Angeles Times. November 3, 2008. Retrieved on February 1, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Lopez, Popkin, and Telles, p. 284.
  6. ^ Keedle, Jayne. Americans from the Caribbean and Central America. Marshall Cavendish, September 1, 2009. ISBN 0761443029, 9780761443025. p. 16.
  7. ^ a b Lopez, Popkin, and Telles, p. 280.
  8. ^ Shyong, Frank (September 9, 2012) "L.A. Salvadoran Community Sees Hope Along a New Corridor Los Angeles Times

External links edit

  • CARECEN Los Angeles
  • El Salvador Community Center
  • The Salvadoran American Leadership & Educational Fund (SALEF)

January 01, 1970
history, central, americans, angeles, city, angeles, includes, prominent, central, american, population, 2010, second, largest, latino, hispanic, ethnic, group, angeles, after, mexican, americans, largest, central, american, groups, were, guatemalans, honduran. The City of Los Angeles includes a prominent Central American population As of 2010 it is the second largest Latino and Hispanic ethnic group in Los Angeles after Mexican Americans 1 The largest Central American groups were Guatemalans Hondurans and Salvadorans 2 Contents 1 History 2 Economics 3 Demographics 4 Geography 5 Languages 6 Education 7 Culture and recreation 8 Notable Central Americans from Los Angeles 9 References 10 Notes 11 External linksHistory editThe first Central Americans arrived in the 1940s 1 In the 1970s the population of Central Americans were evenly distributed between the national origins and was relatively small David E Lopez Eric Popkin and Edward Telles authors of Central Americans At the Bottom Struggling to Get Ahead stated that the Central American groups with runaway growth were the Guatemalans and Salvadorans By 1980 the Guatemalan and Salvadoran populations were the largest Central American populations in Greater Los Angeles Between 1980 and 1990 these groups increased almost by fivefold 3 Many Salvadorans were fleeing the Salvadoran Civil War 4 In 2008 Esmeralda Bermudez of the Los Angeles Times wrote that by then there were strong relations between the Salvadoran community and the Mexican community noting that they have mingled at work school and church for nearly three decades they have intermarried baptized each other s children and cried at each other s funerals 4 As of 2010 the majority of Los Angeles s Central American population had arrived during the late 1970s and the late 1980s Due to civil wars and political persecution many Guatemalans and Salvadorans arrived in the 1980s 1 Economics editAs of 1996 the predominant occupation of the Guatemalan and Salvadoran groups in Los Angeles are manufacturing and service jobs that pay low wages 2 As of 1996 the median income of Guatemalan and Salvadoran households of Los Angeles is about 60 of the median income of non Central American groups 5 When many Salvadorans arrived in Los Angeles in the 1980s they sought employment at Mexican owned businesses because there was no pre established significant Salvadoran community This put pressure on Salvadorans to adopt Mexican culture and customs 4 Demographics edit nbsp nbsp Salvadoran Americans participating in the Rose Parade Salvadorans are the largest Central American group in Los Angeles and also in the U S As of 2009 up to 560 000 Central Americans lived in Greater Los Angeles 6 As many as 560 000 Central Americans live in the Los Angeles area As of 2008 over 350 000 ethnic Salvadorans lived in Los Angeles County Most of them lived around MacArthur Park 4 As of the 1990 U S Census there were 580 000 Central Americans in Greater Los Angeles 7 This includes 302 000 Salvadorans 159 000 Guatemalans 44 000 Nicaraguans and 75 000 from other Central American countries 3 The total number of Central Americans makes up 44 of all Central Americans in the entire United States and 12 of the Latino population 7 As of 1996 the family size of Central American households is according to Lopez Popkin and Telles considerably above average 5 As of 1996 the poverty rates of Guatemalan and Salvadoran households in Los Angeles is 2 5 times greater than the rate of non Central American households The per capita income of Guatemalans and Salvadoran Americans is fewer than 40 of the per capita income of non Central Americans The disparity in earning between Central Americans and non Central Americans is more severe than the median income disparity but Lopez Popkin and Telles wrote that the larger than average number of wage earners per household somewhat compensates for the earning disparity 5 Geography edit nbsp Pico Union Los Angeles became the first destination Central Americans settled in when entering the city Rosamaria Segura the author of Central Americans in Los Angeles wrote that the Pico Union area has the most conspicuous presence of Central Americans in Los Angeles 1 In August 2012 the City of Los Angeles designated a portion of Vermont Avenue in Pico Union as the El Salvador Community Corridor 8 Languages editAs of 1996 the Central American groups continue to speak their native languages 2 As of 2008 many Salvadoran immigrants began adopting Mexican Spanish due to contact with the Mexican community and in order to better fit into the Mexican community along with adopting aspects of Mexican culture Some Salvadorans in Los Angeles insist on using Salvadoran Spanish 4 Education editThe Oscar Romero Charter Middle School opened in 2007 The school named after oscar Romero teaches Salvadoran children about their heritage 4 Culture and recreation editSalvadoran Day is celebrated in Los Angeles each summer Many pupusa restaurants operate in Los Angeles 4 U S Central Americans nbsp nbsp Salvadoran Americans nbsp Guatemalan Americans nbsp Honduran Americans nbsp Nicaraguan Americans nbsp Costa Rican Americans nbsp Panamanian Americans nbsp Belizean AmericansNotable Central Americans from Los Angeles edit nbsp Dustin Corea soccer player nbsp Richard Menjivar soccer player nbsp Somaya Reece singer nbsp Sabi singer nbsp Elizabeth Espinosa journalist nbsp Kevin de Leon politician nbsp Hector Tobar journalist nbsp America Ferrera actor nbsp Michelle Fields journalist nbsp Francia Raisa actor nbsp Gabriel Traversari actor nbsp Hilda Solis politician nbsp Miguel d Escoto Brockmann politician nbsp J Smooth singer nbsp J P Calderon model nbsp Deroy Murdock political commentator nbsp Ruben Quesada poet nbsp Madeleine Stowe actor nbsp Tessa Thompson actor nbsp Nick Verreos designer nbsp Michael Wayne actor nbsp Patrick Wayne actor nbsp ILoveMakonnen singer nbsp Marion Jones athlete References editLopez David E Eric Popkin and Edward Telles Central Americans At the Bottom Struggling to Get Ahead Chapter 10 In Waldinger Roger and Mehdi Bozorgmehr editors Ethnic Los Angeles Russell Sage Foundation December 5 1996 Start page 279 ISBN 0871549018 9780871549013 Segura Rosamaria Central Americans in Los Angeles Arcadia Publishing 2010 ISBN 0738571636 9780738571638 Notes edit a b c d Segura p 8 a b c Lopez Popkin and Telles p 279 a b Lopez Popkin and Telles p 281 a b c d e f g Bermudez Esmeralda In L A speaking Mexican to fit in Los Angeles Times November 3 2008 Retrieved on February 1 2014 a b c Lopez Popkin and Telles p 284 Keedle Jayne Americans from the Caribbean and Central America Marshall Cavendish September 1 2009 ISBN 0761443029 9780761443025 p 16 a b Lopez Popkin and Telles p 280 Shyong Frank September 9 2012 L A Salvadoran Community Sees Hope Along a New Corridor Los Angeles TimesExternal links edit nbsp Los Angeles portal nbsp Central America portal CARECEN Los Angeles El Salvador Community Center The Salvadoran American Leadership amp Educational Fund SALEF Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title History of Central Americans in Los Angeles amp oldid 1221516998, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.