July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Off to a good start (11/29/04)
Opinion
Probably the most remarkable thing about last week’s Hispanic Forum was that it happened at all.
Portland’s far from unusual in seeing a surge in the percentage of the population with Hispanic roots.
But the fact is, most communities don’t talk about that change. They don’t discuss the complex issues of language, culture, and legalities confronting them.
Or if they do discuss those issues, it happens after a crisis or confrontation.
Last week was different.
Mayor Bruce Hosier called a wide variety of folks together simply to put the matter on the table, to recognize publicly that the community is changing and that it’s in the best interests of all of us if we figure out how to make sure that this change works for the community’s betterment.
That’s easier said that done, of course.
But the mayor’s forum went a long way in terms of identifying the issues and building a network of communication to help address them.
The issues overlap, but they boil down to three general areas:
•Language problems. There’s going to be a continuing need for regular, easily available training in English as a second language. And there’s going to be a continuing need for Spanish-speaking skills in the workplace and the marketplace, simply as a practical matter to help with the transition.
•Immigration and legal documentation questions. Asked by a local employer about the process for verifying the documentation of Hispanic potential employees, one Fort Wayne expert was forced to respond, “There is no process.” Clearly, this is something which is going to have to be addressed on a federal and state level.
•Health care delivery problems complicated by those same issues of language and legal status.
There are requirements for bilingual assistance on the part of hospitals and the health care community.
But meeting those requirements won’t be a simple matter.
Out of all of this, the formation of a new non-profit — Community Affairs and Spanish Assistance (C.A.S.A.) de Portland — is a tremendously important first step toward building upon the dialogue launched last week.
There’s a long way to go, but there’s reason to believe we’re moving in the right direction. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
Portland’s far from unusual in seeing a surge in the percentage of the population with Hispanic roots.
But the fact is, most communities don’t talk about that change. They don’t discuss the complex issues of language, culture, and legalities confronting them.
Or if they do discuss those issues, it happens after a crisis or confrontation.
Last week was different.
Mayor Bruce Hosier called a wide variety of folks together simply to put the matter on the table, to recognize publicly that the community is changing and that it’s in the best interests of all of us if we figure out how to make sure that this change works for the community’s betterment.
That’s easier said that done, of course.
But the mayor’s forum went a long way in terms of identifying the issues and building a network of communication to help address them.
The issues overlap, but they boil down to three general areas:
•Language problems. There’s going to be a continuing need for regular, easily available training in English as a second language. And there’s going to be a continuing need for Spanish-speaking skills in the workplace and the marketplace, simply as a practical matter to help with the transition.
•Immigration and legal documentation questions. Asked by a local employer about the process for verifying the documentation of Hispanic potential employees, one Fort Wayne expert was forced to respond, “There is no process.” Clearly, this is something which is going to have to be addressed on a federal and state level.
•Health care delivery problems complicated by those same issues of language and legal status.
There are requirements for bilingual assistance on the part of hospitals and the health care community.
But meeting those requirements won’t be a simple matter.
Out of all of this, the formation of a new non-profit — Community Affairs and Spanish Assistance (C.A.S.A.) de Portland — is a tremendously important first step toward building upon the dialogue launched last week.
There’s a long way to go, but there’s reason to believe we’re moving in the right direction. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
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