| Since 1990, when the South emerged as a new destination of choice for Latino migrants, North Carolina's Latino population has experienced an unprecedented surge, growing from fewer than 100,000 people to nearly 600,000. During this time, the profile of Latino migrants has undergone a dramatic transformation: from single males seeking temporary employment to families eager to put down roots and start new lives in North Carolina. In the process, Latinos have become a central and lasting feature on North Carolina's cultural landscape. Local media coverage, however, has largely failed to register these changes and continues to portray Latinos as outsiders and, in many cases, the source of problems and inconvenience. Through a series of five newspaper and magazine feature articles, this project seeks to fill some of the gaps in coverage, exploring the complex and often difficult transition from Latino newcomer to settler. |
