Last fall, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that the local Hispanic population has nearly tripled between 2000-2010. And although the Chattanooga Hispanic population is still relatively small when compared to other large U.S. cities, the growth happening here is noteworthy nonetheless.
Of course with this growth, come challenges and opportunities.
The challenges are many. For one, the national unemployment rate for Hispanics living in America remains high. Wages remain stagnant. And according to an analysis by the personal finance social network, Wallet Hub, the purchasing power of Hispanics living in Chattanooga continues to be low.
Beyond the economy and jobs, there are longer-term concerns too. For one, far too many young Hispanics are failing to achieve a high school diploma. And more and more Hispanic children are being born out of wedlock and raised in a single parent household. This matters because studies suggest that children being raised in a single parent household are much more likely to grow up in poverty.
Responding to these trends is important because the challenges are no longer confined just to our Hispanic neighbors, but to many others in our communities as well. But as the overall Hispanic population grows nationally, including right here in Chattanooga, everyone will need to come together to find workable and sensible solutions.
In some cases, our public elected officials may need to come up with targeted approaches or pieces of legislation to address the challenges affecting the growing Hispanic community. But in other cases, the government may not need to get involved at all.
That’s why I decided to start Latinos for Tennessee a few years ago. As a Cuban immigrant to this country and as a naturalized citizen, I am incredibly thankful for all the opportunities that this country has given me.
I cherish the liberties and freedoms that we have in this country. Beginning with the religious right to worship freely to the economic liberty to open a business and pursue the American dream.
But as an immigrant from a place where political freedom is non-existent, I am especially proud of our country’s freedom to make our voices heard through civic involvement and engagement, through organizations like Latinos for Tennessee.
Latinos for Tennessee was created to promote faith, family, freedom and fiscal responsibility. We believe that these pillars are central to the American success story and why so many immigrants have decided to move to this country – including those from Latin America.
This is the message that we are taking to Hispanics all across the state. In fact, Latinos for Tennessee recently held an event here in downtown Chattanooga inviting folks from all backgrounds to learn more about our organization and the work we are doing to promote greater freedom and responsibility in the Hispanic community. We had a great turn out and plan to continue holding more events here in Chattanooga in the future.
Latinos for Tennessee is also taking our message of faith, freedom, family and fiscal responsibility to the airwaves by sponsoring a new radio program titled, “Lo Que Nos Une,” or translated into English, “What Unites Us.” Hosted by two veterans in broadcast and media, Lizzy Nelson and Israel Ortega, the show is providing Hispanics in Tennessee with more information and resources grounded in faith, freedom and liberty.
The Volunteer State has always been a place where people can start anew. From the days of our earliest Appalachian pioneers to today’s newest pioneers moving here from neighboring states and countries.
Latinos for Tennessee intends to be an important and constructive voice for our state through this latest transition. Please join us. To find out more, visit, LatinosforTN.com
Raul Lopez is the founder and executive director of Latinos for Tennessee – a non-profit dedicated to promoting faith, family, freedom and fiscal responsibility to Latinos in Tennessee.