My Very First Post
/in /by Magic PodHey! Look! I can write my own content for the world to see!
Blog 4
/in /by My blogPart I:
The last class meeting I was unable to attend due to family emergency
Part II:
The two articles that we read this week. There were noticeable difference between the two authors Hurtado emphasized more on statistical data versus Torres emphasized more on the meaning of being Latino/a. For example, Torres states “Most students experience conflict in trying please their parents, have parents who sacrifice t send them to college”. Personally education was pushed on me because my parents sacrificed so much to us a better life; however, they wanted me to maintain my traditional values as a Latina. Many times causing a lot of confusion and conflict within myself and home. Trying to balance home expectations and outside expectations could be very difficult at times. Although, the articles identify struggles that Latino/a may face when attending college I was able to relate to the articles on a very personal level as I myself have faced many of these challenges.
In the article Chang & Kiang the article described how Asian American feel they are discriminated against and feel they must live up to this standard. Many people like myself have this belief that Asian people are really smart and never need help. However, we should all be aware that every race/ethnicity needs help and our campuses should offer more diversity programs to students.
Blog #4
/in /by Alejandro's BlogI enjoyed last week’s class because it altered my perspective of Affirmative Action. I always knew that Affirmative Action was flawed, but I agreed with it because it is a step forward in attempts to resolve the unfair treatment of minorities and women. I always leaned to the argument that white males are the only group who are not benefiting from Affirmative Action, and that was ok because they are still at an advantage in the social structure of our society. Affirmative action does not change the hierarchy of America. After the lecture, the readings, and the debate, my opinion has not completely changed but altered. I strongly feel that affirmative action is a start but needs major modifications. I also feel that we need to create a system that does not raise racial tension, but serves as a way to end white priviledge. In short, Affirmative Action is start not a solution.
This week’s readings were also very interesting. I felt that Hertado and Torres both expressed the complexity of education for Latino students, and about the vast differences within the Latino community in relation to education. Hertado offered plenty of evidence through various events, and statistics, while Torres took the approach of conducting experiments and sharing a little more than Hertado about personal experiences.
I was intrigued by the vast differences in the values of education within the Latino community. I tend to forget that Latinos are immensely culturally different, so I was bothered that these statistics were news to me. I realized that I am not as sensitive to the fact that Latinos are different, because I live in California where Mexicans are the dominant Latino group, and I belong to that group. So when people assume that I am Mexican, when they learn that I am Latino, I am not bothered, because their assumption is correct. However, I can now understand and sympathize with those of other Latino cultures who don’t like it. Torres said it best, “Mi casa is not exactly like your house.” My eyes were open to the complexity of the pressing issues of Latinos in the educational system.
I also enjoyed chang’s article because it served as a great reminder that Asians are minorities and have suffered a great deal in America because of prejudice. Asian are commonly stereotyped with what most consider “good” or “positive” stereotypes, like, “Asians are… smart, good at math, naturally skinny…” I have even heard that they are the “accepted” minority because they seem to assimilate most smoothly with white culture than other minorities. Chang reminded me of the “communist” Chinese, the terrorist “Japs” and even of the unfair treatment of the Filipino veterans who assisted the U.S. during World War II. All the negative labels that have not completely diminished are affecting Asians in our educational system. Yes, out of all the groups Asians are the most likely to graduate, but attaining a degree is not achieved without toil, and labor from anyone, especially those belonging to a sub dominant group.
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/in /by Spanish 101Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
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/in /by Magic PodWelcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Blog Post #6- What you are made of…
/in /by AnaWhat skill area and specific skills (discussed throughout chapter) are your strongest?
The chapter covers five characteristics which in my opinion are all linked to one another. However, out of the five I feel the characteristics which I feel the strongest would be that for challenge. Thinking back I feel like the situations in which I have had most success in would be in situations in which I became involved primarily as a volunteer. Mainly because I know that any and all involvement on my behalf will benefit the situation.For example, back in high school I remember volunteering at a Relay for Life event. All of the volunteers where assigned to raise as many funds possibly for the event, the funds would support Cancer research, along with other forms of support for the individuals going through it. After participating in this event my freshman year in high school, I have continued to participate since then. Why? Because I like the idea of challenging myself, and the idea that because of what I am doing I’m not only helping those that benefit from those types of events but also that others will see what I am doing as something that they could possibly do as well.
What skill area and specific skills (discussed throughout chapter) are your weakest and how can you build upon them?
One of the areas where I feel like I would have to work on would be working on the bigger picture. When it comes to creating road maps and goals to attain a certain outcome to a situation, that I can do. However, where I fall a bit short on is taking the first step towards the creation of the initial ideas. What I mean by this is, when the scenario or outcome is provided, I can come up with the road maps and goals. I guess you would say that its the initiative to taking control of the situation and basically starting from scratch. A way in which I can work on this would be by working on voicing out my ideas, and not simply waiting till somebody else has one. Also work on looking past the initial outcome and consider the one that could result sometime down the line.
What impact do you think your leadership skills could have on your role as a leader?
Being a leader is much more than telling people where to go or where to stand, for that matter. It is guiding them and helping them achieve as a group. I feel like I would be a successful leader because I tend to look past that, ordering people can only get you so far but if you show respect and acknowledge that you all have a part in the group then that will get you a lot further.
Do you think some of the skills discussed in the chapter are more important in some situations compared to others? If so, explain.
Yes, because not every situation is going to be the same. They all require different skills, different formats, different ways in which you can approach it. In other words, every situation is unique in their own way, you need to basically think on your feet. Not every situation is going to solved the same way, although it may seem like it initially, in the long run its the small decisions that will make you lean one way over the other.
Do you think individuals in “lower” levels of leadership require the same skills as those in “upper” levels? Discuss
Not necessarily, however the knowledge of those skills can allow the group members to see eye to eye and work in uni-sense. Even though there are “two different levels” those boundaries are not set in stone, simply because roles can easily be swapped. Those considered in the “upper” levels can find themselves under the leadership of someone from the “lower” levels. Sometimes it is very dependent of the opportunities that those individuals receive. So it all depends on how you look at things.
