¡nuevolution! Latinos and the New South

Over the past 25 years, the South has abruptly emerged as the nation’s most vibrant area of Latino growth and has transformed itself from a place that previously held almost no diversity, to a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and fast changing environment.

1. 
   Introduction Area: The first area of ¡NUEVOlution! reveals the exhibit’s big idea, the surprising ways that Latinos are shaping the South and the South is shaping Latinos.
   

1. 
   Introduce newest New South - Latino New South
   
2. 
   Establish historical context - history of Latinos in the South before 1990
   
3. 
   Explore Latino impact in the South - “Did you know?...”
   

-- Latino and Hispanic are new terms created in the U.S.

-- About half of Latinos living in the South are already U.S. citizens

-- Latinos account for $1.5 trillion in purchasing power

2. 
   My Encuentros: Through a series of videos and interactives, the visitor will begin to think about the complex issue of identity.
   

1. 
   Explore current and historic tensions that arise with change
   

--What makes someone American? Southern?

• 
  Visitors will explore self-identity, how do you see yourself? How do others see you? Does it matter?
  

• 
  10-question citizenship test
  
• 
  Follow the long and arduous process of becoming documented / U.S. citizen
  

--Define Desencuentros - collision, friction, confrontation, separation, disconnect

3. 
   Our Encuentros: 17 videos/modules describe the diversity of experiences (Latino/non-Latino) in the New South.
   

1. 
   Connections to southern history - learning from the past
   

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  Legacy of child labor, Neftali Cuello, young activist in the tobacco fields of NC
  

2. 
   Latinos revitalize small southern towns
   

• 
  Latinos change the economic and social life of Gainesville, GA
  

3. 
   Religion as bridge builder between newcomers and receiving community
   

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  Camino at the Way church in Charlotte, NC, transforms itself and its congregation
  

4. 
   Welcoming the world
   

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  Glen Iris Elementary in Birmingham, AL, attempts to create a welcoming environment amidst anti-immigrant sentiment
  

5. 
   Effects of policy on immigrant communities
   

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  Artist Rosalia Torres Weiner uses art to help children whose parents are in deportation proceedings.
  

6. 
   Civil Rights – Then and Now
   

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  The Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) learns from civil rights leaders as they fight against anti-immigrant law HB56
  

7. 
   Nuevo traditions in the New South
   

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  Celebrating Day of the Dead – old traditions in new environments
  

8. 
   How do cultures collide on your plate?
   

• 
  A new Southern cuisine emerges as people begin to blend flavors from all over the world.
  

9. 
   Desencuentros – Tensions, Misunderstanding, Distrust
   

• 
  This interactive explores the discomfort that exists but is often not talked about in public.
  

10. 
    Dancing across cultures
    

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  Dance instructors Wendy and Rodrigo Jimenez bring Latinos and non-Latinos together with music and dance.
  

11. 
    Building the New South
    

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  Entrepreneurs Joel and Isabel Rivera have created a business empire in Alabama
  

12. 
    The Rising Latino Vote
    

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  Chronicles the efforts of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) to register Latino voters.
  

13. 
    Beyond Black and White
    

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  Race, Ethnicity, Language – it’s complicated
  

14. 
    Education for all
    

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  Undocumented youth organizing for change
  

15. 
    Leading in the mainstream
    

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  Latino leaders finding political and economic success outside the Latino community
  

16. 
    Financial Lessons
    

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  The Latino Community Credit Union in NC serves Latinos and non-Latinos, becoming a national model
  

17. 
    Serving alongside our neighbors
    

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  Many visions join together to create the Camino Community Center in Charlotte, NC
  

18. 
    Encuentros create new sounds
    

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  Stirring the musical melting pot - different musical traditions mix to create new sounds
  

4. 
   Future Encuentros: Visitors will imagine a future South while thinking about how they can affect change in their community. Interactive questions, screens and activities will have them consider:
   

1. 
   How does where you come from shape who you are?
   
2. 
   What is your biggest hope/fear for a future South?
   
3. 
   How will current trends affect the future?