Because of the nation's huge increase in the Hispanic population, more U.S. citizens are learning to speak Spanish. Many believe that it is almost becoming a necessity.

The school systems are the most pressured institutions in the country, which need more Spanish speaking teachers and a plan to develop a curriculum that addresses a growing number of Hispanic students.

Another area that should accommodate the Spanish language real soon is the business sector. When it comes to services, Hispanics are still being neglected, said Juarez, who is an immigrant from Peru. "They struggle for services because (the population) is still growing," he said.

In places like Santa Ana, Calif., about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles, business owners' say knowing how to speak Spanish and English is a necessity. Already, many city workers are required to know more than one language.

Accommodating the Hispanic community could give a boost to any business. Hiring on staff that is fluent in Spanish (reading and writing) could make a big difference in sales and increased service.

A rise in the number of Spanish-language newspapers in America is representative of the language's increased prevalence. Luis Espinoza, of Jackson, Miss., started La Noticia last year, a weekly, 12-page tabloid distributed to community centers and Hispanic restaurants and grocery stores.

Black business owners could benefit greatly by incorporating Spanish into their marketing plans. Remembering that we ourselves are a minority and how difficult it can be to find someone who is willing to serve you should be a consideration enough when selling our services.

© 2003 by AfroStaff