Points of Promise

Related Reading:
Prosperity Analysis 
​Love Remains 
Towards Integration 
​Achieving Equity 
​Freedom For All  ​
Prosperity For All 
The Hispanic / Latino/a Student
A Shared Destiny

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     The truth is that I was taking the time to reflect upon my previous thoughts, particularly with regards to the how Hispanic / Latino students are perceived in the High School, and Higher Education settings. Weather we admit it or not, the tendency for the Latino / Hispanic stereotype to be working systemically occurs. Now this is actually a good test for professionals / educators to see if they can provide the service of education, without inducing stereotypes or prejudices. Regardless of how the Hispanic / Latino students are viewed, there are students who are determined enough to reach their goals. In fact this thought can be transferred to any minority, or person who feels challenged when achieving any sort of goal. The complexity of the Hispanic / Latino segment, is that this population segment requires further research, to understand how students are maneuvering, and what specific challenges they are experiencing. It is an understudies population. There are small studies that provide insights, but not large enough to be generalized to a whole cross-section of the population segment. Similar to the challenges students experience, researchers also experience receiving  support for their research. 

    Challenges occur because students are first generation students attending higher education. Sometimes families are not supportive, but some families are. They want their children to succeed, which is why they migrated to America in the first place. For a chance at a better life. Parents will sacrifice for their children, to see that they make it. Students in higher education can use low expectations as motivators. To turn negative situations, to positive motivators. The challenges activate the innate drives, because achieving a goal is linked to the human need of survival. Hispanic / Latino students are determined just as any other minority population. They are economically successful, including educated, and entrepreneurs. If they didn't believe in a better chance at life, then why would have they come to America? This shows a belief in the American Dream, and what it stands for. 

     At this point I will continue to say, that it is unfortunate that there has been no talk about amending The DREAM Act, or immigration reform, that would include citizenship, and access to federal / state aid for low-income families, and the undocumented to achieve equity. But I will say that I am proud of the states that have taken it upon their own shoulders to try to foster equity, at the higher education level. This includes the development of scholarships for Hispanic / Latino students, the 10% plans for admissions, and the Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). As always there is room for improvement. Possessing knowledge, or being in a position where you can make change, should never mean to impose more in-equity, but to move towards creating more equity. 

Helpful links
Hispanic Scholarship Fund 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on April 29th, 2018.
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