Is the American Dream Fading?

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

PROGRAM #11272 12:00 PM PT 

Is the American Dream Fading?

The phrase “American Dream” has traditionally described the idea that anyone, regardless of background, race, or social class, can achieve a better quality of life — or even become wealthy — through hard work and perseverance. But according to a recent survey, Latinos in the United States are increasingly doubtful that the dream is still within reach. Why has the perception of immigrant communities changed?

Guest: Luis Noe-Bustamante, Research Associate, Pew Research Center, Washington, DC.

Hispanic Heritage Award to the People of Minneapolis. The Hispanic Heritage Foundation held the Hispanic Heritage Awards earlier this month to celebrate the stories, traditions and connections of the Latino community. This year’s event recognized Minnesota’s communities for their resilience and ability to foster unity amongst all communities in times of crisis, including ‘Operation Metro Surge’ – the large-scale crackdown by immigration officials which, since December, resulted in thousands of arrests, mass protests and the deaths of two US citizens at the hands of federal agents in Minnesota. What else does this recognition signify? What is known about this and other award winners and their achievements?

Guest: Nicolás Peña, Director of Communications, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC.

New Lawsuit Accuses César Chávez of Rape. An 86-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against organizations associated with César Chávez, accusing him of raping her in 1973 while she was working with the farmworkers’ union. What allegations are being made against the organizations’ current leaders? What damages is she seeking? How are people responding? And what has happened since other allegations surfaced last March?

Guests: Melissa Montalvo, Latino Communities Reporter, Vida En El Valle / Fresno Bee Newspapers, Fresno, CA.

Deadly Risks on Dairy Farms. A year ago, six farmworkers died at a Colorado dairy after being exposed to toxic gas in a manure-management system. Among the victims were a father and his two sons. Workplace safety advocates say the tragedy was preventable and exposes the very real hazards farm workers face on the job. Why did so many workers die? Who should be held accountable? Where did the system fail, and what changes are urgently needed to prevent similar accidents? What has happened in the year since?

Guest: Rebeca Ibarra, Independent Audio Journalist and Author of the LatinoUSA story: “To Live and Die as a Colorado Farmworker,” Austin, TX.

Photo: ocused Adventures/Adobe Stock

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