Title
Perceptions of Discrimination: An Analysis of Four National Surveys of Latinos; Findings from the Pew Hispanic Center/Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey of Latinos
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
April 2010
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Ross Burkhart
Abstract
Objective: Throughout the history of the United States different legal measures have resulted in efforts to deal with immigration issues, and some have resulted in adverse consequences for Latinos in particular. Massive immigration from 1850-1920 arose the historic distrust and suspicion of Anglos toward Mexicans and tended to evoke various kinds of repressive acts, excluding Mexican Americans from political participation (Garcia and de la Garza 1977). After the 9/11 attacks Latinos reported a heightened level of perceived discrimination as well as fear of deportation, even among U.S. Citizens. Methods: Using multiple-regression analysis this study analyzes four datasets of National Survey of Latinos for years 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007. Individual factors such as gender, citizenship, income level, and marital status were used to determine the impact on perceptions of discrimination among Latinos. Significance: Reasonable perceptions of discrimination, a lack of political trust and sporadic political participation for Latinos suggest troubling prospects for the future of race relations, the American political system, and the entire essence of democracy.