¡Ay bendito! What a year...
2011 started out with a blend of hope and doubt, of promise and disappointment.
On the one hand, there was some excitement as the 2010 Census results were soon to reaffirm the size, rapid growth and growing cultural and economic influence of the Hispanics, the largest minority in an ever more multicultural U.S.
But just as well, Latinos were only too aware that behind the numbers lay the same harsh realities faced by all American communities living with the frustrations of trying to move their families, communities and the country forward in a hyper-partisan environment where there seems to be little progress and much divisiveness.
As various reports have since shown, Latino kids and families continued to fall behind in achieving the American Dream, in staying in school through high school graduation, in escaping prejudice and hate crimes.
Of course, there have been amazing highs too -- the stories of DREAMers like Benita Veliz and the success of Hispanic talent in film, TV, and music come to mind.
The slideshow below reveals 5 highs and 5 lows which impacted Latinos in 2011. And then there is the tiebreaker; the 11th issue or event which threw the year over to one side.
But in the final analysis, was 2011 a plus or a minus in our collective history? Click through the slideshow to find out our opinion about 2011. Do you agree or disagree? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Year in Review 2011: Good Or Bad?
And finally, since despite it being overall a 'minus' year for Latinos, it was a banner year for Sofia Vergara. Here she is wowing the world throughout the year. Enjoy!