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Edwin Vega
History / Spanish

Lynn Stephen, Mentor

Raising Awareness for Immigrant Youth in Eugene, Oregon

The category used in the 2000 U.S. census, “Spanish/Hispanic/Latino,” collapses and confuses a wide range of groups–some are of national origin or nationality (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban). Others refer to language (Spanish), and still others create a homogenized racial-ethnic category “Latino.” Immigration research of the past ten years reveals the great range of histories, cultures, languages, ethnic identities, and experiences behind recent “Latino” immigration to the U.S. An ethnographic approach in collaboration with a Latino immigrant youth group in Eugene, called Juventud FACETA,* allows an exploration of this controversial category. Through oral and written life histories, open-ended interviews, participant observation, and photographs, we will explore issues of race, life in Eugene, family structures, experiences in Juventud FACETA, and acknowledge the growing hostility towards recent immigrants after September 11, 2001.

* Familia-family, Amistad-friendship, Comunidad-community, Entusiasmo-enthusiasm, Triunfo-triumph, and Aprendizaje-Learning