ABSTRACT
For a while it even became chic to be Latino, and the media brought Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and other Latino and Latina entertainers into America’s homes. Many were living and dancing to “La Vida Loca” while watching Latinos and Latinas on television. Meanwhile, the comfort with Latinos merged with a booming economy depending heavily on the backs and sweat of Latino immigrants. That labor pro vided a boost to America and immigrants alike. Latinos reinvigorated many dying towns and depopulated states that had long denied them access to jobs in their stockyards, chicken farms, and agricultural fields.
