Latinos are an integral part of the history and culture of the United States. The American Latino story has been evolving for more than 500 years. Nevertheless, some Americans, including American Latinos, know little of our country’s rich Hispanic heritage. Written and oral narratives have not become part of the collective memory of our country. These stories have been untold, ignored, or altogether forgotten.

Today, The U.S. Census Bureau has released final findings of the 2010 Census. The final count: 196.8 million whites, 37.7 million blacks, 50.5 million Hispanics and 14.5 million Asians. What does this mean for our community and for the nation?

We have reached this tremendous milestone faster than what was predicted. This number does not account for the additional 4 million in Puerto Rico. As Latinos we now comprise 1 in 6 Americans and among U.S. children, Hispanics are roughly 1 in 4. The Census also shows that Latinos are moving west and into the center as well, reviving communities located along the bible belt. This is also iconic as Latinos are now calling the “heartland of America” home.

These details are of vital importance as our communities grow and as our children are raised as American Latinos. What other way is there to state it? As the great spoken word poet, Bobby Lefebre stated, we are the hyphen of American-Latino. We come from a rich cultural and historical legacy of our homelands, but are proud to be a part of this great nation. Even when we are hated and attacked, we still love this country and feel very much that we are an integral part of the fabric of American society.

In 2008, a record number — 9.7 million Latino citizens — reported voting in the presidential election, about 2 million more than voted in 2004. More than 1 million Latinos 18 years and older are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and our community registers more soldiers than any other group.

These population changes will shift 12 House seats and electoral votes impacting 18 states, just in time for the 2012 elections.

Our buying power allows the U.S. economy to thrive as American Latinos increasingly contribute, in a very significant way, to the development of the U.S. economy. The buying power of the Hispanic market in 2009 was $978 billion — larger than the entire economies (2008 Gross Domestic Product measured in U.S. dollars) of all but 14 countries in the world. This year, our buying power will hit $1 trillion dollars, and by 2013 we will contribute with $1.3 trillion.

Today, 25 percent of the nation’s children live in a Latino household; this group will play a vital role in renewing the American dream, giving it new cultural options. In all their diversity, American Latinos are keeping and enhancing fundamental American ideals and values of family, church, and patriotism.

However, as these numbers continue to rise, we must pay close attention to the response of the nation. Although these numbers are a celebration for us, these same numbers strike fears in xenophobic and misinformed Americans. We are seen a threat to American values and pride. Hate crimes might rise and a lash back will occur, as politicians and hate-based organizations, use this information to scare the masses. Now more than ever, as Latinos, we must continue to contribute to American society, as we always have and as we will continue to do. We have a power that is all our own and can change the course of politics and American society. We should yield it to the benefit of our communities by electing candidates in our communities and by standing up for our rights and the rights of our children. We must no longer be seen as second-class citizens for we have proved that we deserve our seat at the table as well.

I want this outfit.

First, I found this Mexicana designer and she makes me want her clothes so bad that I might be crazy enough to buy just one shirt or dress. Her name is Aida Coronado, and I secretly hope she is related to me so I can get a discount. I think Frida Kahlo shall be my inspiration this summer.. watch out!

Second, I was reading one of the blogs I follow, I love what she has to say and wanted to share some of those same thoughts and ideas with you because they strongly resonate with me. You can read her blog here… these are just excerpts…

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For the past couple years I have been battling the feeling of not knowing what I am going to do with my life, and what I am doing with my life.

Its a strange feeling, cause there are a lot of obvious pathways I could choose.

Spirituality lives inside me, though I know I don't often come across as a stereotypical blissed out super being, or talking in beautiful tongue. I respect the spirituality within, and I don't rush it. Cause I know its in there, and I know that it is perfect. I never know when I will see glimpses of it coming. I like that. Im always surprising myself. Probably cause I have no expectations of it.

In a lot of ways, I mostly just like stretching. Stretching my imagination, stretching my limbs. Its all the same, for me it symbolizes growth.

For the past 3 years, I have been trying to figure out "What I want to do with my life?"

Then somewhere in there, my intentions shifted, and It felt like more of a chore than a pleasurable experience.

Im pretty sure everyone can relate to that last statement. Whether in career or relationship. At the end of the day, you have to check in with yourself, and ask yourself: Is this really serving me?

Its OK to change your mind.

There is a part of me, that really would love to just be there for my man. To support him and love him, to travel with him, and to be the mother of his children. Success would be our kids asking mama for kale chips over Cheez-its. Success would be hours of play time, and big hugs. I sometimes get a strong feeling, that that is where my next step should be.

I am often conflicted by the whole I am a powerful woman, I have a career, I can bring in as much income as my man, etc…I make up that the whole "stay at home mom" is really not empowering, for me anyways, and that given the position I am in, would it look like I was just trying to land myself in that position? Would people say, "Yeah she was a singer, then she married a rock star and now she just quit everything and became a Mom…" Well yeah, put that way, that doesnt sound very empowering does it? We choose our own adventure, and we choose to make things mean whatever we want them to mean. I can see, I am not even there yet, and im already creating the possibility of my possibility being wrong, or not good enough. "We make things so hard..", chimes in Tricia.

Im caught in a story, and I am hung up on looking good. When really, I should just get clear with myself, and those around me.

I know I will make another record, but I don't think my goal is going to be to become Lady Gaga or anything. Ive never been super technical when it comes to music, Ive never been a super fancy guitar player. I dont know scales or chord names, Ive always been fueled by feeling.

My goal for this next record is to be authentic, to be myself, to be genuine. To share about all the things that have come up for me over the last couple years. Sometimes I feel like Ive grown so numb to a lot of music, including some of my newer material, trying to come up with something that I think someone else will want to hear, or that will sound good on the radio. Its easy to loose sight of why I started down this particular path in the first place. The work I get to do here however, is very rewarding. Its a challenge. I never thought I would get myself into such a complicated situation, especially with the one thing I have always felt has come easy for me. Ive always thought the best songs are the ones that are born from a very innocent place. A place of no expectation. A place of love. I have to let go. Why am I so scared of being successful? Its time for a little stretching…

I also know I will be a Mom someday, its something I have wanted since I was in my early 20's. I know my kids are going to be amazing. My instincts for motherhood, my undying need to tend to people, to make sure the they are safe and sound, my yearning for making sure everyone has a safe space to flourish, create, and spread their wings and fly. Combined with all that LOVE I have inside, Im gonna rule at being a Mom. Plus, I have a few good ones of my own to reference.
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I believe in what she states and I understand her struggle. Spiritually she is right on. I've been going to yoga and trying to mediate more to quiet my mind and try to help my stomach from hating itself. I love it. It's my moment to just be with me and no one else, and every now and then I'll dedicate my practice to loved ones so I try harder.

I've always known what I wanted to do and along the way I've picked up some interesting and fulfilling projects and hobbies. I realized this weekend how important it is to check in with yourself and just ask "Hey, is this working for me? Is this what I want?" and then envision what you want out of that moment, next week, life, etc. We have to check in to find our focus again. And sometimes, it's ok to "float" along, but we need to check in with ourselves.

I feel like now, more than ever, I am on the right path. I need to pass this bar and all will be well. I know that in my hearts of hearts. My hard work has paid off and I need to go all out for this semi to last chapter of my life. I have big plans coming up, which I will share next week because it is all in the planning phases, but my next venture will be one of the greatest ventures of my life, and no, I am not pregnant! Ha! Although, I will be a great mama someday, but not quite yet. Almost there, but not yet.

Be kind to yourself. Check in with yourself, then keep moving forward.