The United States of America has changed ever since Latinos were added into the equation. Over the last century, Latino/as have shaped the way our economy works and the way our daily lives are run. The Latino population has increased tremendously and the trend continues yet still. With Latinos making up the largest minority group, things will continue to change. Today you may see Hispanic food markets, shopping stores, and neighborhoods where there was no sign of Latinos just ten years ago. The fact of the matter is that the struggle for the representation of Hispanics has come a long way by way of many individual and group efforts. Without their combined and accumulated efforts, Hispanics would not be where they are. There is still some work to be done, but we cannot forget what these brave hearts have accomplished.

The Young Lords Party, even though it was mainly aimed at helping the people of Puerto Rico, made way for Hispanic people by demanding certain actions from the government. While he was in prison along with Black Panther members, Che Che Jimenez engaged in conversation over troubles Latinos and their communities were facing [4]. When he eventually got out, he transformed the street gang into an advantageous organization aimed at improving the life of Latinos, education, and their communities, which came to be known as the Young Lords Party[4]. This group grew in numbers due to its goals, which still persists today as the thirteen point program. This guideline, gave the group incentives and motives to demand equality and fairness along with other requests. They are as follows:

“(1.)We want self-determination for Puerto Ricans--Liberation of the Island and inside the United States, (2.)We want self-determination for all Latinos, (3.) We want liberation of all third world people, (4.) We are revolutionary nationalists and oppose racism, (5.) We want equality for women. Down with machismo and male chauvinism, (6.) We want community control of our institutions and land, (7.) We want a true education of our Creole culture and Spanish language, (8.) We oppose capitalists and alliances with traitors, (9.) We oppose the Amerikkkan military, (10.) We want freedom for all political prisoners, (11.) We are internationalists, (12.) We believe armed self-defense and armed struggle are the only means to liberation, and (13.) We want a socialist society.”
Although the group later split due to government and conflict within themselves, they left a lasting impression on Latino and Americans alike. Their efforts gave way to more freedom and opportunity to many of those that were being repressed. [5]

This country has also been shaped by the hands of millions of migrant workers dating back many years. Life for immigrants has not always been smooth, and their opportunities have been kept to a minimum. Recently, Latino immigrants are known to take some of the hardest and lowest paying jobs in the market. Not only that, but the working conditions are deadly or hazardous at times. Still many of these issues were being ignored up until a man by the name of Cesar Chavez decided it was time to take a stand and put an end to these problems. Cesar Chavez was a Mexican-American activist and labor leader for the United Farm Workers Union. He helped establish laws to disable farm owners to take advantage of illegal and legal immigrants. He also improved the products that were being made .He discouraged Americans from buying products until the conditions improved for the workers, and gained national attention from all over the US. Since then, life has improved drastically for migrant farm workers, and the people who consume their products. The law and the American people are backing them up, thanks to the persistence of this man, who never gave up on his people and their issues.

Latina women, whom are often considered the center of the home in Latino families, have evolved their roles as time has changed.  Take Dolores Huerta for example she is a Mexican-American (Chicana) woman, who is now seen as the most well-know, influential, and powerful woman labor union leader in America.  Even though she didn’t start out on top she was determined to get there.  She survived the Great Depression, on the shoulders of her single mother and with the steady guidance of a grandfather.  After that she knew that she could do anything.  With high school completed, she moved onto college, a step that many Latina women didn’t even think about taking at that time.  She graduated with a teaching certificate, but later became upset with the limitations on the job.  When she became concerned about the welfare and well-being of migrant workers she joined the CSO.  Her father was an influence because he was also a migrant worker. Along with Cesar Chávez, together they worked to form the UFW.
Even though she had been arrested more than twenty times during protests and picketing, her tactics still remained full of force and uncompromising duties.  To some she was a leader, a spokesperson, a negotiator, or an advisor. But most importantly she is a role model for millions of Latina women and Latino men. She is a person of statue, compassion, bravery.

Through the works of many Latino men and Latina women, life nowadays has improved in many aspects. Education for Latinos has been in the up rise creating more opportunities for such an influential and growing minority. The workforce has been friendlier towards these people through conditions, benefits, and wages. Also the government has been more supportive and taken a bigger role in taking the Latino population into account. Non of these advantages would have been possible had it not been for the heroics of these groups and individuals. Still others have had a profound effect, but these people stick out, they are the ones who paved the way for other policies and tactics to be implemented into the lives of every Latino