Latest news with #non-Hispanics
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Five years since the murder of George Floyd, many of the commitments made to address systemic racism have been abandoned
Written by Kevin Brown In the five years since the extrajudicial police killing of George Floyd, much has changed for the Black community in the United States, but not in the way one would have expected at the time. While the Black community had complained of systemic racism for decades, George Floyd's killing provided America with undeniable, visible evidence of its existence, at least regarding police conduct. Since the involuntary incorporation of Black people as chattel slaves starting in 1619, systemic racism has existed in virtually all major aspects of American society. In 2020, the median Black family income was 60 per cent of that of white non-Hispanic family income; Black people were nearly three times more likely to live in poverty; 42 per cent of Black families owned their own home, contrasted with 70 per cent of white non-Hispanic families; and median Black family wealth was $24,100 compared to $188,000. Regarding the administration of criminal justice, studies have shown that Black people are more likely to be arrested by the police than white non-Hispanics for the same offences, more likely to be charged with a crime when arrested, more likely to be convicted when charged with a crime, more likely to serve a prison sentence when convicted, and when given a prison sentence, they are given longer ones. Even though there are five times more white males in the US than Black males, 10 per cent more Black males are incarcerated. In the aftermath of George Floyd's killing, America witnessed some of the largest protest marches in its history. As if waking up to the existence of systemic racism, CEOs of major corporations, governmental officials, educational administrators and non-profit organisations pledged to institute policies and programmes to attack it. For example, Google committed $50 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, JP Morgan Chase allocated $30 billion in housing and business loans to support Black and Latinx communities, Apple launched its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative with $100 million and the Department of Justice began investigations of police departments throughout the country to identify patterns of excessive force and disproportionate targeting of Black people. The commitment to address systemic racism, however, produced an unprecedented backlash that began almost immediately. White conservative voices raised the level of their complaints on media outlets against the concept of systemic racism, critical race theory (CRT) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. They claimed programmes and policies embodied in these concepts were destroying America by teaching false doctrines and abandoning meritocracy. In their eyes, there may be a few racist individuals, but systemic racism does not exist. These conservatives found a sympathetic spokesperson in then-President Donald Trump. On September 22, 2020, less than four months after Floyd's killing, Trump issued the Presidential Executive Order 13950 that criticised CRT as a divisive concept and sought to exclude diversity and inclusion training from public and private entities that receive federal contracts. Trump's loss in the November 2020 elections, where, according to CNN exit polls, he only received 12 per cent of the Black vote, but 58 per cent of the white non-Hispanic vote, slowed down the momentum of the building white conservative backlash. However, after upholding affirmative action in admissions of selective higher education institutions for 45 years, in June of 2023, the US Supreme Court struck it down nationwide in a 6-3 decision. Even though People of Colour (Black, Latinx, Asian, Native Americans and Mixed-Race people) make up the majority of Americans under the age of 18, the Court rejected the rationale that the benefits of diversity justified taking race into account in the admissions process. The implications of the Court's opinion were somewhat muted during the 2024 election, where the Democrats nominated Kamala Harris, a woman of mixed South Asian and Black ancestry, as their presidential candidate. In the 2024 elections, Trump received a similar percentage of votes from Black and white non-Hispanic voters that he received in the 2020 election. But Asian and Latinx voters substantially increased their support for Trump. Thus, in the 2024 elections, not only did he win the Presidency, but the Trump-dominated Republican Party took control of both Houses of Congress. Effectively, the Black community now faces not only what legal experts assert is the most conservative Supreme Court since the 1950s, but also a hostile President and Congress. Since returning to the Presidency, Trump has exercised power like no other American president ever. As a result, a significant number of Trump's executive orders have been enjoined by the federal courts. Nevertheless, Trump has put pressure on major corporations, the most elite colleges and universities and state and local governments to end their DEI programs. As part of the Trump Administration, the Department of Justice has gone from combating racism against underrepresented minorities to targeting public and private institutions with DEI programs because they are viewed as discriminating against white people. Consequently, many of the commitments made to address systemic racism have been abandoned. Thus, five years after the murder of George Floyd, the Black community in the US faces the most formidable federal governmental obstacles against its efforts to achieve racial equality since the 1940s. The writer is Richard S Melvin Professor Emeritus, Indiana University Maurer School of Law & Mitchell Willoughby Professor, Joseph Rice School of Law of the University of South Carolina
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hispanics Spend Trillions of Dollars In the U.S. Something Is Different This Year.
America's Hispanic community has trillions of dollars in buying power. The way they wield it appears to be changing in 2025. Economic uncertainty and inflation have broadly weighed on American consumers, but there are signs that additional pressure on Hispanics, who make up roughly a fifth of the population, is further changing their spending habits. Some retailers are seeing substantially less in-store shopping by Hispanic customers, which experts attribute in part to concern about immigration enforcement that is making them hesitant to participate in public life and cautious about spending. Boycotts of some companies may also be denting sales. A new report from market research and consulting firm Kantar, developed partly in response to inquiries from a large American retailer, found that first-quarter in-store shopping rates among Hispanic shoppers fell further year-over-year than among non-Hispanics. Supermarkets saw their Hispanic in-store shopping rates fall more than 11%, the largest pullback, followed by those seen by dollar stores, convenience stores, mass merchandisers and drugstores. Top retailers saw sizable retreats, according to Kantar, including Walmart (WMT), Target (TGT), Walgreens (WBA), Home Depot (HD) and Dollar Tree (DLTR). (Most of the companies in this story did not respond to Investopedia's requests for comment in time for publication. Target declined to comment, citing its upcoming earnings report.) This happened even as Kantar's research found that Hispanics were generally in good financial shape, reporting higher savings, more discretionary income, and fewer concerns about the cost of essentials than the population as a whole. As Hispanic shoppers eschew store visits, more are using online purchasing and pickup options and home delivery for convenience and a sense of safety, the report said. Some product categories are taking a hit, according to Kantar's report, with clothing and non-food household items like haircare and cleaning products seeing the largest year-over-year declines in first-quarter purchase frequency by Hispanic shoppers. Frozen foods, sweet and salty snacks, dairy products, canned goods, over-the-counter medicines, skincare, paper products and cosmetics have also experienced deep drops in frequency over the same period. All told, said retail expert Walter Holbrooke, this poses a problem for companies because shoppers tend to skip unplanned purchases when they're not entering stores themselves. 'This is where the biggest risk is for manufacturers that play in these categories,' said Julie Craig, Kantar's vice president of shopper insights, who believes retailers and manufacturers may need to work together to convince shoppers that stores are safe spaces. 'They are seeing a lot of declines across the board in purchases in these categories,' she said. 'It should be a little bit of a wake-up call.' Hispanics are a large and growing shopper demographic for retailers and consumer-packaged goods companies, representing an estimated $2.4 trillion in buying power, according to consumer intelligence firm NielsenIQ. The group encompasses households with a range of incomes and ethnicities; Brands are especially keen to establish relationships with the 35% of Hispanic consumers who are under 21 and will eventually earn and spend more, NielsenIQ said. Hispanic consumers can have an outsized impact on how some categories fare, NielsenIQ said. Their spending on consumer packaged goods grew 4.8% year-over-year, compared to the national growth rate of 3.6%, according to a NielsenIQ report published in September. This year's pullback has hit non-alcoholic drink makers, executives from Monster Beverage (MNST), Coca-Cola (KO) and Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) acknowledged in recent months, and restaurants such as El Pollo Loco (LOCO) and Wingstop (WING), the chains' leaders have said. Retailers like Shoe Carnival (SCVL) and Academy Sports and Outdoors (ASO) are watching for shifts in Hispanic customers' behavior, executives said. Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD), the maker of Budweiser and Michelob beers, said in February that it saw business lagging in zip codes with large Hispanic populations. Boston Beer (SAM), the producer of Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard, said in April that the industry has been weighed down by Hispanic consumers 'just not going out as much.' Hispanic consumers' pullback 'feels really recessionary in parts of the U.S. market,' said George Weston, chief executive of grocery supplier Associated British Foods, in April. 'Families are being wise,' said Eric Rodriquez, senior vice president of policy and advocacy with civil rights and advocacy organization UnidosUS. 'If they are going to lose a breadwinner tomorrow, they need the resources to do something about that. The future is so uncertain for many Latino families.' Ideological factors may also be affecting Hispanics' spending habits. A boycott of Target spurred by its decision to move away from some diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives contributed to recent traffic declines among Black and Hispanic households, according to the market research firm Numerator. Campaigns urging people to spend money with businesses owned by people of color have caught on in affluent and working class Hispanic communities, said Rudy Morales, vice president of government affairs for the Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce, which is active in the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles area. Hispanics are 'more likely to shop according to their values and vote with their dollar,' said Erica Smith, one of the authors of Kantar's report. These matters are of interest to investors, too. Wall Street analysts seeking to develop their models of company performance have frequently asked executives about their Hispanic customers during recent conference calls, with some companies offering detailed observations and reporting plans to conduct their own studies. 'Many of my covered companies have commented on weaknesses among Hispanic consumers as a result of macro uncertainty, higher unemployment, and the [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] raids in certain states,' said Citi analyst Filippo Falorni in emailed comments. Constellation Brands (STZ), known for beers such as Modelo and Corona, commissioned a study on Hispanic consumers, CFO Garth Hankinson said recently. Jim Sabia, president of the company's beer division, said at a conference that he recently saw few customers in California stores that were bustling just two years ago. 'There is a fear of the ICE raids,' Sabia said, according to a transcript provided by AlphaSense. 'There is a fear out there, so these consumers are changing their behavior.' Read the original article on Investopedia
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What Brands Miss When They Ignore Hispanic Summer Spending Power
Aldo Quevedo is CEO and Creative Chairman at BeautifulBeast, a cross-cultural advertising agency. Summer isn't just a season—it's a moment of peak cultural and commercial activity. And if your brand isn't prioritizing the Hispanic market during this time, you're likely leaving serious growth on the table. Hispanic consumers in the U.S. now possess over $3.2 trillion in buying power, a figure that has grown by nearly 80% in the past decade alone, according to the 2024 Hispanic Guide published by the Hispanic Marketing Council (HMC). This community is not only large, but it is young, digitally savvy and culturally driven. As we approach summer—a season defined by family gatherings, travel, food and celebration—the economic and cultural presence of Hispanics becomes impossible to overlook. Yet, many brands still do. For U.S. Hispanics, summer isn't just about sunshine and school breaks; it's a season rich in rituals. From multigenerational road trips, carne asada, quinceañeras and community festivals, culture comes alive in summer. That culture fuels commerce. According to recent industry insights, Hispanic travelers are expected to contribute $165 billion to the U.S. travel economy in 2025, with 74% traveling with extended family. And it doesn't stop at travel. Summer is a major driver for retail and back-to-school spending, where Hispanic households—often larger and very family-oriented—tend to plan and shop earlier. The aforementioned HMC report found that Hispanic families spend an average of 16% more on apparel than the average household. Consider where this money is going: • Food And Beverage: Hispanic consumers are driving growth in the grocery sector, with food and beverage dollar sales up 3.5% year-over-year, outpacing the 2.6% growth among non-Hispanics. • Apparel And Fashion: Latino households spend 16% more on apparel than the average U.S. household, reflecting a strong emphasis on personal appearance and cultural expression. • Tech And Connectivity: U.S. Hispanics are among the most connected demographics, spending over 14 hours per week on smartphones, streaming, shopping and sharing experiences. So, why are so few campaigns tailored to this reality? Too often, brands default to translation instead of transformation, applying a language filter rather than a cultural lens. But Hispanics are not a monolith, and their summer habits reflect rich, diverse traditions influenced by their country of origin, region and age group. Many marketers also underestimate the digital fluency of Hispanic consumers. Hispanic travelers and shoppers often rely on social media, short-form video and mobile tools to plan, purchase and share experiences. This behavior extends to how they discover brands, engage with influencers and make buying decisions. The result? Missed opportunities in messaging, placement and emotional connection. Some brands are starting to understand that cultural nuance isn't optional—it's essential. Take the travel industry, for example. More brands are tailoring summer messaging around extended families, affordability and culturally resonant experiences. Campaigns highlighting road trips, beach getaways or hometown visits—common among U.S. Hispanic travelers—are tapping into real behavior rather than generic vacation clichés. In the beverage category, Coca-Cola has publicly acknowledged the Hispanic community's $2.1 trillion in spending power, calling it equivalent to the GDP of an entire country. Their multicultural summer campaigns have leaned into storytelling that celebrates family traditions and togetherness, not just translation. Retailers like Target and Walmart have also taken steps toward Hispanic inclusion in their summer and back-to-school campaigns by spotlighting Latino creators, curating culturally inspired products and launching in-culture content across digital platforms. These brands prove that when you understand the cultural rhythms of summer, music, meals, gatherings and group dynamics, you can create communication that feels personal, not performative. Here's the question every CMO should be asking: Is our summer plan Hispanic-ready? If your brand is focused only on broad, generic activations, you're likely missing the emotional and cultural cues that drive true engagement and conversion. Hispanics don't just spend; they influence. From music and fashion to food and tech, they're cultural amplifiers. And when they see themselves reflected authentically, they reward brands with fierce loyalty. In the heat of summer, the smartest move you can make is to turn up the cultural relevance. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Nonprofit Money Management International Reports Dramatic 54% Surge in Hispanic Clients Seeking Credit Counseling as Financial Disparities Widen
STAFFORD, Texas, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Money Management International (MMI), a leading nonprofit dedicated to financial counseling and education, today announced a staggering 54% increase in Hispanic clients seeking credit counseling services in 2024—far outpacing the 31% increase among White non-Hispanic clients. This sharp rise underscores a growing financial crisis within Hispanic households, driven by widening income disparities, escalating housing burdens, and deepening budget deficits. 'These numbers are more than statistics—they represent families struggling to make ends meet,' said Emanuel Rivero, Vice President of Operations at MMI. 'With incomes failing to keep pace with inflation and financial safety nets stretched dangerously thin, many Hispanic households are turning to credit counseling as a last resort. At MMI, we are committed to providing culturally relevant, language-accessible financial solutions to help navigate these challenges.' Key Financial Trends Among Hispanic Households in 2024: Explosive Growth in Credit Counseling Demand: Hispanic individuals now account for 28% of MMI's credit counseling clients, with demand skyrocketing 54% year-over-year, compared to a 31% increase among White non-Hispanic clients. Surging Need for Spanish-Language Financial Support: The number of clients receiving financial counseling in Spanish has soared by 135% in 2024, emphasizing the critical demand for culturally tailored financial guidance. Worsening Income Inequality: · Hispanic clients report earning $15,000 less annually than White non-Hispanics ($49K vs. $64K). · Hispanic income growth in 2024 was 4%, significantly trailing the 10% increase for White non-Hispanics. · While budget deficits persist across all demographics, the shortfall for Hispanic clients worsened by 11% YoY, while it improved by 7% YoY for White non-Hispanic clients. Housing Costs Disproportionately Impact Hispanic Families: Although Hispanic and White non-Hispanic clients spend comparable amounts on housing, Hispanic households allocate a significantly higher percentage of their income toward these costs (27.5% vs. 23%), leaving them with less financial flexibility and greater vulnerability to economic shocks. Limited Access to Credit Presents Additional Hurdles: · Hispanic clients carry lower unsecured debt ($24K) compared to White non-Hispanic clients ($32K), likely reflecting reduced access to credit rather than lower financial need. · Many Hispanic clients experience higher rejection rates for traditional lending, making it more difficult to consolidate debt, build credit, and achieve financial stability. MMI provides free and low-cost financial counseling services in English and Spanish to address these disparities. MMI delivers personalized budgeting strategies, debt repayment plans, and credit-building resources to help individuals regain control of their finances. About MMI For over 65 years, Money Management International (MMI) has been at the forefront of financial health solutions, helping individuals and families break free from debt and build a secure financial future. As a trusted nonprofit leader, MMI is dedicated to transforming how Americans navigate financial challenges by providing expert guidance, innovative programs, and culturally relevant financial education. Recognized by major financial institutions and media outlets, MMI's award-winning services support long-term financial stability and success. Learn more at Thomas Nitzsche Vice President of Public Relations 404.490.2227 Jackie Callaway Media Relations 813.610.8241 Lori Geary
