HAMILTON — Understanding who Hispanics are and where they come from were among the issues tackled Wednesday during an annual town hall meeting about race.

        Keynote speaker Adolf Olivas, a native Hamiltonian whose parents came to the United States from Cuba, told attendees that by 2010, Hispanics are expected to surpass African-Americans as America's largest minority group.

        “America is changing before your very eyes,” said the former Hamilton mayor, who plans to visit Cuba in April. “You need to open your mind to the fact that we don't live in a society without differences.”

        Mr. Olivas referred to an “identity crisis” within the Hispanic community, saying that some want to be called Hispanics, while other prefer the term “Latino.” No matter, he said, Hispanics come from two dozen countries, and too often are mislabeled as a race.

        Contrary to many peoples' beliefs, he said, there are differences among Hispanics. “Puerto Ricans and Cubans, for example, ... often segregate themselves into their own neighborhoods,” Mr. Olivas said.

        He was joined by campus and community members who examined the barriers the Hispanic population faces in education, employment, and community involvement.

        Because the Tristate's Hispanic population is rapidly expanding, organizers said now is the time to celebrate their cultures and discuss issues.

        The Tristate's Hispanic population has more than doubled during the past decade. The 2000 Census places the number of Hispanics in the eight-county area at 22,000, but those who operate Hispanic service agencies think it's at least double that.

        As the population grows, many Hispanics must decide how much to assimilate into mainstream America versus retaining their own cultural traditions.

        Panelist Tabitha Negron, a Miami student, talked about growing up in a household with a Puerto Rican father and an American mother. Today, she has difficulty relating to her father because she was never taught to speak Spanish. In fact, she says part of her is ashamed to call herself Hispanic because she knows little about her own culture.

        Ms. Negron now faces the challenge of teaching her 2-year-old daughter about her Hispanic heritage. It's a task she says she isn't prepared to undertake.

        “And that's kind of a hard thing to have to deal with,” Ms. Negron said.

        Panelist Mario Ramirez, a native of Mexico, says the Hamilton community is realizing that Hispanics are here to stay. He and his family moved here 15 years ago from Los Angeles.

        “At the beginning, it was tough because it was new for (Hamiltonians) and there was a lot of racism. But it has changed. They're getting to know that we are here,” said Mr. Ramirez, owner of Los Pinos Mexican Store on Hamilton's east side.

        Miami University and Hamilton's Department of Human Relations sponsored the program.

        One highlight of the town meeting was a special recognition of “Best Practices” of groups and organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding effort to undo racism in their organization and in the community.

        The recipients were: Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton, Inc., The Health Alliance at Fort Hamilton Hospital, and Jefferson Elementary of Hamilton City Schools.

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