An effort to assess the status of the more than 4 million Spanish-speaking Americans (La Raza) in the Southwestern 5-state area of California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado resulted in this collection of papers. The historical perspective of the positive factors in the development and persistence of the Spanish language is examined. The effort made by both Catholic and Protestant denominations to meet spiritual and socioeconomic needs of the Spanish-speaking population is pointed out. Also studied is the role of politics as a social instrument for improvement and as a shield against abuses, exploitation, and encroachments by the dominant society. Problems of predominately Mexican American migrant workers because of the lack of applicable labor legislation are examined. The social prejudice in areas of education, employment, housing, law enforcement, and jury service encountered by Spanish-speaking people are indicated and related to programs in progress to improve their situation. Emphasis is placed on the heterogeneity of the group which accounts for their inability to acquire representation in political, economic, and social life. The acculturation pattern of Mexican Americans is described and demographic characteristics are given. (CM)