Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 02160044
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED273711 AUTHOR: Perez, Richie
TITLE: The Status of Puerto Ricans in the United States.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1985
NOTE: 13 p.; Paper presented at the National Puerto Rican
Convention (3rd, Philadelphia, PA., June 1, 1985).
AVAILABILITY: National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, 160
W. Lippincott St., Philadelphia, PA 19133 ($1.50).
ABSTRACT: In the 1950s, Puerto Ricans in the United States
began to consolidate to gain more political power, and over
the next three decades, many organizations were formed for
this purpose. The National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
(NCPRR) was created in the early 1980s to become a mass
membership, activist, civil and human rights organization.
Through grassroots coalition-building with blacks and other
groups, the NCPRR addresses problems relating to the
economic, educational, social, and political status of
Puerto Ricans. The governmental and industrial sectors which
historically have been the primary source of jobs for Puerto
Ricans are declining. Only 40% of all Puerto Ricans over 16
are now working, and Latinos as a group are highly subject
to underemployment, family poverty, low educational
attainment and a high dropout rate. About one-third live in
physically inadequate or overcrowded housing conditions, and
their health status is also low. The Puerto Rican community
has been harmed by the Reagan Administration's reduction of
government spending on social programs and lack of support
for affirmative action, as well as the current rightwing
political climate. Puerto Ricans must continue to develop
the power they have displayed in recent elections. (KH)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Economic-Opportunities; Educational
Opportunities; Family-Income; Health-; Housing-
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Civil-Rights; *Community-Organizations;
*National-Organizations; *Political-Power; *Puerto-Ricans;
*Socioeconomic-Status
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