Intercultural COM Hispanic/Latinos, Black, Asian, & Native Americans

In the US, Hispanic/Latino communities are NOT…

NOT one single culture— they’re made up of many micro cultures, shaped by country of origin, region, migration history, and generation.

“Hispanic/Latino” is a…

A label.

• Mainly used in the US

• It groups people from 20+ countries together.

• People may identify more with their national origin than the label

  • Key idea: Labels can simplify, but they can also erase differences.

National-Origin Microcultures

Each group brings distinct traditions, food, music, and communication styles.

Mexican Americans

• Largest group

• Strong family orientation (familismo)

• Celebrations like Cinco de Mayo (often more US centered than in Mexico)

Puerto Ricans

• US Citizens by birth

• Strong ties between the island and mainland, visible in cities like NYC and Orlando.

Cuban Americans

• Especially in Miami, shaped by political exile history and strong anti-communist identity.

Dominican Americans

• Large presence in New York

• Bilingualism and transnational family life are common

Central American Communities

• Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran

• Migration often linked to civil war and economic displacement

South American Communities

• Colombian, Peruvian, Venezuelan

• Often class and education diverse migration patterns

Why People Migrated Matters

• Political Reason

• Economic opportunity

• War or violence

• Natural Disaters

  • Result: Different values, beliefs, and media interests

Regional Microcultures Within the US

Place matters a lot

• Mexican Americans in the Southwest (Texas, California): Long historical roots

• Latinos in New York: Mix of Puerto Rican, Dominican, and South American cultures

• Miami Latinos: Heavily Cuban and Venezuelan influence shaping politics, media, and business

• Midwestern Latino communities: Often newer immigrant communities tied to agricultural or meat-packing work.

Hispanic/Latino Language

• Spanish is not the same everywhere

• Many people use Spanglish

• Some Latinos speak mostly or only English

Language is about…

IDENTITY, NOT intelligence

First-Generation Immigrants

Stronger ties to country of origin, high-context communication.

Second-Generation Latinos

Cultural code-switching navigating US individualism and family collectivism.

Third-Plus Generation

May identify more with US identities.

Hispanic/Latino Family and Cultural Values

Common values (not universal):

• Family loyalty (familismo)

• Respect for elders

• Collective decision-making

• These may clash with US individualism 

Hispanic/Latino Food, Music, and Traditions

Culture shows up in everyday life:

• Food varies by country and region 

• Music styles are different (salsa, reggaeton, banda)

• Traditions change when practiced in the US

• Culture adapts– it does not stay the same 

Hispanic/Latino Food

• Food is central to identity and memory

• Meals are often shared and social

• Traditional foods vary by region:

  • Mexico: tacos, tamales, mole

  • Caribbean: Rices, beans, plantains 

  • Central America: Pupusas, tortillas

  • South America: Empanadas, arepas

• Recipes are often passed down through generations

Hispanic/Latino Holidays & Festivals

• Cinco de Mayo (symbolic in the US., more regional in Mexico)

• Las Posadas (Christmas tradition)

• Carnaval (many Latin American countries)

• Independence Days for different countries

• Celebrations often include parades, food, music, and community

Latinos have…

Collectivism over individualism (Latinos)

Hispanic/Latinos Values & Identity

• Strong sense of cultural pride 

• Identity can be shaped by:

  • Country of origin

  • Immigration experience

  • Generations

Hispanic/Latinos Religions and Belief Microcultures

About 70% of Hispanic adults in US identify with a religion

• Catholic traditions

• Evangelical and Pentecostal Latino communities…

• Afro-Latino spiritual traditions (Santeria, Candomble, Vodou influences) 

Latinos can be…

• White

• Black

• Indigenous

• Mixed Race

Why this Matters (Especially in Media & Communication) (Hispanic/Latino)

• Avoids stereotyping “Latinos” as a single group.

• Helps explain differences in political views, media use, and communication styles.

• Shows how global migration creates local microcultures.

• Latino/Hispanic culture is diverse, complex, and dynamic.

• Microcultures show how global migration creates local identities.

Black American Origins

Most Black Americans are descendants of Africans brought to the US through the Transatlantic slave trade (1600s-1800s). 

Struggle for Rights (Black Americans)

After slavery ended in 1865, Black Americans faced segregation, discrimination, and limited access to education and jobs. 

Great Migration (1916-1970)

Millions moved from the South to Northern and Western cities for jobs and safety.

• Cities like Harlem (NYC), Chicago, and Detroit became cultural hubs, sparking movements like the Harlem Renaissance, which celebrated art, literature, and music. 

Civil Rights Movement

In the 1950 and 60s, leaders like MLK Jr. and Rosa Parks fought for equality, leading to the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965). 

Martin Luther King Jr.

1. Civil Rights Movement Leader:

• King was a central figure in the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, fighting to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. 

2. Famous Speeches:

• “I Have a Dream” (1963): Delivered during the March on Washington, it envisioned a world where people are judged by character, not skin color.

• Other speeches also emphasized equality, justice, and love.

Rosa Parks

Often called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" because of her courageous act that sparked a nationwide push for racial equality.

Montgomery Bus Protest (1955): On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus. 

• At that time, laws required African Americans to sit at the back and give up their seat if a white person needed it.

• Her arrest sparked outrage and inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a 381-day protest led by MLK Jr. 

Later Life and Recognition: 

• She moved to Detroit Michigan in 1957 and continued working for Civil Rights causes.

• Worked for US Congressman John Conveyers for many years.

Awards and Honors:

• Presidential Medal of Freedom (1996)

• Congressional Gold Medal (1999)

Language (Black Americans)

AAVE: unique grammatical structures. For example:

• “He be working”

• “She gone tell you”

Pronunciation: Certain consonants or vowels may be pronounced differently 

• “Ih” sounds often become d or t: “this” → “dis”

• Constant clusters at the end of words may be simplified: “test” → “tes”

Vocabulary and Slang (Black Americans)

Black Americans have created slang that often spreads into mainstream culture.

• Examples: lit, shade, woke, flex, on fleek slay

• These words often originate in music, social media, or community use.

Storytelling & Oral Traditions (Black Americans)

Language is used creatively in storytelling, poetry, and rap. Rhythm, repetition, and call and response are key features. 

Code-Switching (Black Americans)

Many Black Americans use code-switching, shifting between AAVE and Standard American English depending on social context.

• Example: Using AAVE with family or friends, but Standard English at work or school

• Code-switching highlights linguistic flexibility and adaptability.

Music (Black Americans)

Music has been one of the most powerful forms of expression in Black American culture, often reflecting history, struggles, and creativity.

1. Spirituals

2. Blues

3. Jazz

4. Gospel

5. Hip-Hop/Rap

6. R&B and Soul

Art (Black Americans)

Art has been another form of expression, telling stories of identity, struggle, and pride.

Visual Arts:

• Harlem Renaissance (1920s-1930s): Expression of Black art, literature, and music.

• Modern Art & Activism: Contemporary artists use art to address social justice, racism, and cultural identity.

Dance:

• African Dance Traditions: Roots in Africa, characterized by rhythm, storytelling, and communal participation.

• Modern Dance Styles: Tap dance, swing, jazz dance. Hip-hop dance styles like breakdancing, popping, and locking. 

Food (Black Americans)

Black American cuisine, often called “soul food,”

Main Dishes:

• Fried Chicken

• Collard Greens

• Macaroni and Cheese

• Gumbo

• Jamblaya 

• Black Eyed Peas and Rice: Traditional dish for luck, often eaten on New Years

Side Dishes:

• Cornbread

• Sweet Potatoes or candied yams

• Hush puppies (fried cornmeal balls)

Desserts

• Sweet Potato Pie

• Peach Cobbler

• Pecan Pie

Family is central to…

Black American life, often extending beyond the nuclear family (parents and children) to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and close friends.

• Families often rely on extended family for emotional support, childcare, and guidance.

• Women often play key leadership roles in households, especially in organizing family and community life.

• Grandparents frequently help raise children and pass down cultural traditions. 

Family Values (Black Americans)

• Respect for elders

• Community support

• Education and personal growth

• Faith and spirituality (often centered around church involvement)

Church and Spiritual Life (Black Americans)

Churches are often the heart of Black communities, serving as places of worship, education, and social activism.

• Beyond religion, churches support community events, charity, and leadership development. 

Neighborhoods and Social Networks (Black Americans)

Historically, Black neighborhoods developed as safe spaces during segregation.

• Communities often share resources, celebrate cultural traditions, and organize social events.

Influence on Language from Black Americans

Many common English words and phrases in the US originate from Black Culture. For example the word “cool” became popular through African American culture.

• Sport Icons: Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier.

Modern Influence from Black Americans

Today, Black Americans contribute to all aspects of US society, including politics, science, sports, music, and culture.

Global Influence from Black Americans

Through culture, sports, and activism, Black American influence extends worldwide, shaping music, fashion, sports fandoms, and conversations about race and equality globally.

• Understanding Black Americans as a microculture helps us appreciate diversity in the US.

• It shows how history, struggle, and creativity shape cultural identity. 

Cultural Memory

Like recipes, and so on.

Asian Americans are…

The MOST diverse and FASTEST-GROWING cultural groups in the country.

What makes Asian Americans a “microculture”?

• Languages

• Traditions

• Food

• Religions

• Values

• History

Asian Americas share share some common experiences (immigration, racism, family values, education focus), but they are…

NOT one single culture. They are a collection of many cultures.

Asian Americans have…

Enormous diversity inside the group.

Each of these Asian American communities has different:

• Languages (Mandarin, Tagalog, Hindi, Korean, etc.)

• Religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism)

• Migration histories

• Foods and family traditions 

So Asian Americans are NOT one microculture– they are many microcultures under one label. 

Why are Asian Americans considered “big”?

• They are about 7% of the US population and growing quickly.

• Large communities exist in California, New York, Texas, Washington, and Hawaii.

Asian Americans have a strong influence in…

• Technology and business

• Medicine and science

• Food culture

• Music, film, and social media

• Education 

Even with differences, many Asian Americans share…

• Immigration stories

• Pressure to balance two cultures 

• Stereotypes like the “model minority” myth 

• Experiences with discrimination 

Although every family is different, many Asian American communities emphasize:

• Respect for elders

• Strong value on education

• Close family ties

• Collectivism (thinking about the group, not only the individual)

• Maintaining heritage, language, and traditions 

Food Influence (Asian Americans)

Asian Americans have deeply shaped US food culture:

• Chinese American takeout

• Japanese sushi

• Korean BBQ

• Filipino dobo

• Indian Curry

• Vietnamese pho

• Boba tea culture 

Challenges Asian Americans Face

1. The “Model Minority” Stereotype

2. Racism and Discrimination

3. Identity Struggles

1. The “Model Minority” Stereotype (Asian Americans)

• People often assume all Asian Americans are:

  • Wealthy

  • Good at math

  • Successful students

  • This stereotype is harmful because

    • It hides poverty in some communities

    • Ignores refugees and working class families 

    • Creates pressure on young people 

    • Divides Asian Americans from other minority groups

2. Racism and Discrimination (Asian Americans)

• Anti-Asian violence increased during COVID-19

• Asian Americans are often seen as “forever foreigners," even if their families have lived in the US for generations. 

3. Identity Struggles (Asian Americans)

• Many young Asian Americans feel “in-between”:

  • Too American in their parents’ culture

  • Too Asian in mainstream American culture

Contributions to American Society (Asian Americans)

• Science & Technology 

  • Leaders at Google, YouTube, Microsoft

  • Doctors, engineers, researchers

• Arts & Media

  • Moves like Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians

  • Musicians, YouTubers, K-pop influence.

• Politics 

  • Vice President Kamala Harris (South Asian heritage)

  • Many local and national leaders 

• Social Justice

  • Asian Americans were active in the Civil Rights Movement 

  • Built conditions with Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities 

Native Americans

Native Americans (also called American Indians, Indigenous peoples, Alaska Natives, or First Nations peoples) are the original inhabitants of the land that is now the US.

• They are a powerful example of a microculture– a group inside a larger society that keeps its own traditions, values, and identity. 

Not One Culture— Hundreds of Cultures (Native Americans)

There is no single “Native American Culture”

• Before European contact there were:

  • More than 500 distinct tribes/nations

  • Hundreds of languages

  • Different religions, governments, and ways of life

Examples of Tribes

• Navajo

• Cherokee

• Lakota (Sioux)

• Apache

• Imquosis (Haudenosaunee)

• Choctaw

• Hopi

• Inuit and Yupik in Alaska, and many more

Each tribe is its own microculture with unique…

• Language 

• Ceremonies

• Stories and beliefs

• Clothing and art

• Relationship to the land

Core Cultural Values (Native Americans) 

While every nation is different, many Native communities share ideas such as:

• Respect for Earth and nature

• Spiritual connection to land and ancestors

• Importance of elders and oral tradition 

• Community over individualism 

• Balance and harmony in life

• These values often contrast with mainstream US culture, which is more individual and fast-paced.

History that Shaped the Native American Microculture

Native Americans experienced:

• Forced removal from their lands (Trail of Tears)

• Broken Treaties

• Boarding schools where children were punished for speaking their languages 

• Loss of population through disease and war

Because of their history, Native Americans developed a microculture focused on…

• Cultural survival

• Protecting language 

• Keeping traditions alive

• Political sovereignty

Tribal Sovereignty

Tribes are separate nations with their own governments.

Langauge Revitalization

Many tribes teach their youth their original language.

Cultural Revival (Native Americans)

Traditional arts and ceremonies are growing

Activism

Protecting land, water and rights

• Example: Standing Rock

Life Today (Native Americans)

Native Americans are modern people living in many ways

• On reservations

• In big cities

• In rural communities 

• In every profession– teachers, artists, soldiers, doctors, activists 

Contributions to Society (Native Americans)

Native Americans have influenced

• Environmental ideas about protecting nature

• Democracy (Iroquois Confederacy inspired US founders)

• Agriculture: Corn, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate 

• Art, music, and literature 

• Military service at very high rates

Native communities still face:

• Stereotypes in media (mascots, “cowboys and indians”)

• Poverty on some reservations

• Health care inequality

• Loss of language

• Being treated as part of the past instead at the present

Understanding them as a living microculture, not history only, is VERY important.