User:Wendyfuentes

Bean Generation

Bean Generation is a term coined by Lazaro Fuentes in 2005 while doing research on the growing Hispanic community and its increased importance and influence in American society. He has recently taken up writing a book on the subject of the same title, "Bean Generation" that is a work in progress. He came up with the name because he realized that beans are the one thing that unifies the Hispanic Culture. As they are a hodgepodge of many different cultures, there are also many different types of beans they use in their cuisines, so it fit.

The term as he describes it connotates a strong Hispanic influence in general U.S. popular culture by all Americans, not only Latinos, starting with the influence on those born after the year 2000 by franchises such as Dora the Explorer (see also: "The Dora Effect"), along with Latino-influenced food, music, movies, celebrities, professionals and politicians.

The Bean Gen as he describes it may not be aware of it yet, but they are witnesses to a historical shift in Hispanic populations from being the second largest to the largest minority group in the United States. They are in many cases equally unaware that they will most likely be present to witness many other statistics shattered by the growing U.S. Hispanic population as it increasingly becomes an even larger part of U.S. population by 2025, 2050, 2075 and soon. As it is, in the United States approximately 50% of all births are now children with some percentage of Hispanic origin.

The Bean Gen will likely see the Latino Community rise in political and economic interest and is probably already seeing it in many corners of the country while their parents watch the news. They have a completely different notion of who they are and of their importance; more so than the generations before them. They will likely fill many of the jobs of retiring Baby Boomers. They will influence greatly the types and priority of products, entertainment and content being created across all platforms and all industries for the next century and possibly longer. And they have a profound view of our planet that is at once global but at the same time very local and which could prove important as we seek ways to help improve the planet.

The Bean Generation is increasingly influencing the decisions being made in Hollywood Studios and in the creativity of marketing efforts coming from Madison Avenue as well, as witnessed by increased Latino leading roles by ABC and Disney and in the growing importance of networks like Univision to advertisers.

As the influence and importance of this group increases, so will the need to have content that is culturally relevant, respectful, positive, educational and inspirational to them. Marketers and Hollywood have to move (as some are) beyond the sombrero and chihuahua depictions of the past in order to satisfy this group. The narrative of the Bean Gen will not be one of maids and gardeners, but of executives, heroes and leading ladies.

Wendyfuentes (talk) 22:48, 5 August 2008 (UTC)