Hispanics and Latinos in Washington, D.C.

The Latino community represents more than 10% of Washington, D.C. population. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the city after English, and most government city programs publish and advertise in English and Spanish among other languages. In 1976 an Office of Latino Affairs was created by Mayor of the District of Columbia Walter Washington^[1]

There is a growing and flowering Hispanic community in the states of Virginia and Maryland in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, a total of 814 thousand Hispanics (9.7% of it population). Hispanic community is the second ethnic community in the United States with more than 50 million residents. Every Hispanic country have embassies in Washington D.C. since earlies 1800. On of the first embassies in DC is Argentina embassy created in 1824.

Demographics

Demographics of Hispanic and Latino Americans Hispanic population in DC is 71 thousand living (10.6% of DC population).^[2] The population that commute to DC from Maryland and Virginia is around 814 thousand; 512 thousand live in Virginia (9% of Virginia population)^[3] and 230 thousand living in Maryland (9.5 of Maryland population)^[4]

Culture

Although Latinas/os can be found all across the city, high rent and gentrification programs have pushed them further and further out of the city, but there are some areas where their concentration is highly noticeable like Adams Morgan, Bloomingdale, Columbia Heights, Georgia Avenue and Petworth, Shaw, and all across North East D.C..

Recreation

In GALA Hispanic Theatre are presented Hispanic plays all year round. On September of every year is celebrated Latino Festival in Washington, DC also called "Fiesta", a celebration where every Hispanic resident can celebrate in Downtown D.C. with dances, music and food.

Lifestyle: In addition to having one of the largest concentration of Latinos in the country, Latinos from the LGBT community are widely represented. Many associations, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, and stores cater to their needs and/or dedicate a day or night to cater to this sub-community all across the city. Famous are the one Saturday night clubs such as Fuego (location varies) which are famous in the city. This program/event can congregate over 1,000 LGBT Latinas/os per night. Several publications advertise and promote services and programs for the Latino LGBT community.

Education

There are various bilingual schools on Washington D.C. among them can be named the following:

• Elementary schools: Oyster Elementary school.
• High schools: Bell Multicultural High School.
• Technical schools: Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School.
• Universities: Ana G. Mendez University System and the Catholic University of America are the most open universities for Hispanic students in Washington D.C.

Other centers have Spanish and Latino representatives for the recruitment of Latino students such as George Washington University, Gallaudet University, The University of Maryland, College Park.

Furthermore, there are many organizations that foster the educational and professional needs of young Latino students like the Latin American Youth Center.

Media

Entertainment: Cultural programs and events for the Latino community thrive all across the city, including frequent concerts by top Latin music artists such as Juanes, Shakira, Alejandro Fernández, Juan Gabriel, and Ricky Martin. Some Hispanic chanels are Univision, Telemundo, and Azteca America. Some Hispanic radios are El Sol and radio Viva. Latin music is heard all across the city (supermarkets, Starbucks, restaurants, etc.).

Newspapers: There are about six newspapers in Spanish; The Washington Hispanic, El Tiempo Latino, El Pregonero.

Health

There are several medical centers that cater to the needs of the Spanish-speaking population as La Clinica del Pueblo and the Office of Human Services of the District of Columbia. . And there are many centers that offer services in Spanish and have special programs for the Latino community such as the Whitman-Walker Clinic, Mary's Center, and Columbia Heights Clinic.

Some hospitals like the Washington Hospital, Providence Hospital, Howard University Hospitals, The George Washington University Hospital provide services in Spanish. Most hospitals offer bilingual services including translators and bilingual staff on call twenty-four hours a day.

Economy

Washington, DC metropolitan area is a place where more than 800 thousand Latinos make different transactions as businessman, entrepreneur, workers, owners and buyers of houses, food, appliances, also renting apartments or locations for living or business, etc. There ar different Latino brands that are popular in the area such as is Chipotle Mexican Grill and Oscar de la Renta.

Institutions

• Office of Latino Affairs of the District of Columbia (MOLA)
• La Clinica del Pueblo
• Central America Resource Center (CARECEN)
• Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)
• Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School

Politics

Since more than 10% of D.C. residents are residents, are a very important factor in elections in the area. Sonia Sotomayor is Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Ana Sol Gutierrez, member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 18. Walter Tejada is an Hispanic politician of Virginia.

Accessibility

Most government programs and facilities provide services in Spanish. The transportation system like Metro and buses offer information (e.g. brochures and announcements) in English and Spanish.

Services: Bilingual staff can be found in most supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, laundromats, etc. There are programs for Latinos who suffer from substance abuse like AYUDA. The Latino Federation of Greater Washington gathers the largest group of Latino organizations in the area and Latino serving populations programs in the region.

Senior Latinas/os: EUFULA.

Supermarkets: Whole Foods (bilingual staff), and Latino products, Panam, and Bestway.

Embassies

Embassy of Bolivia, Washington, D.C.
Coordinates	38°55′9″N 77°3′39″W / 38.91917°N 77.06083°W / 38.91917; -77.06083Coordinates: 38°55′9″N 77°3′39″W / 38.91917°N 77.06083°W / 38.91917; -77.06083
Location	Washington, D.C.
Address	3014 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

All Latin American countries have diplomatic representation in Washington, D.C., including Cuba. The World Bank, The InterAmerican Development Bank, The International Monetary Fund, and the Organization of American States have clubs, associations, and committees that gather Latinos from many countries and regions.
The metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. has the largest population of Salvadorans in the world after San Salvador. Also, there are communities from Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, and other Latin American countries.

Some of the embassies in DC are the following;

Notable residents

• Sonia Sotomayor is one of the seven Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
• Sonia Gutierrez, American educator and Hispanic rights activist.
• Ana Sol Gutierrez Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 18
• Walter Tejada, Hispanic politician of Virginia.
• Geovanny Vicente Romero, Hispanic Political Analyst and Educator at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School.^[12][13]
• Pedro Aviles, Director of Central America Resource Center (CARECEN).^[14]

See also

• Hispanic and Latino Americans
• Latino Festival in Washington, DC
• Office of Latino Affairs of the District of Columbia
• GALA Hispanic Theatre
• Latino diaspora
• Latin American culture
• Central America Resource Center
• GALA Hispanic Theatre
• Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
• Sonia Sotomayor
• Carlos Manuel Rosario

References

External links