Blog #4

Both Hurtado and Torres talk about many of the same perspectives. Both authors provide an insight on how being a Latino/a student differs. Hurtado focuses on more of the statistical numbers regarding the success of Latino students compared to those of White and African Americans. Both authors also talk about how the rise in eligible college students is expected to be at an all-time high, but the actual numbers of Latinos enrolled in school go to show how many Latinos simply choose not to continue attending college or drop out. Hurtado shows the fact that Latinos make up the highest percentage of students to go on to community colleges even if they have the potential of attending a 4-year institution, Hurtado does a very good job using the fact that the way the university presents itself and the way it’s students’ demographic population is divided is a strong aspect on whether or not they will have more Latino students attend the University. Torres like Hurtado also mainly focuses on how experiences differ from a Latino student’s perspective, she provides more of an insight on how some aspects can’t be controlled. Unlike Hurtado, where it seems like the issues may be fixed by having a program to help those students struggling from early on or providing educational assistance throughout their college experience, the points that Torres makes are more uncontrollable in a sense.  Like that of having to choose between the two different cultures that puts you either at an advantage or disadvantage. She also spoke about the parental expectations that Latino students are faced with, she stressed the fact of how Latino parents’ aren’t as understanding as others, they seem to want too much from their children without having an understanding of them having their plates way beyond full. Both authors really have great points in their readings many of which I found very familiar.

The thing that by far surprised me the most was the type of discrimination and monolithic images were tied to Asian Americans, especially after the World War II and Pearl Harbor. One day these people were viewed as friends and allies and just like that, after Pearl Harbor they were viewed as dangerous and untrustworthy. They were mistreated and put into in concentration camps where many of their lives were taken and this was all because of their race. It goes to show that this nation for the most part can seem very diverse, but if you are not the right race you will always be a target. It was also surprising to see that although many Asian Americans may suffer of poverty that is for the most part wrongfully overlooked by colleges and institutions when students try to apply for financial aid. This shows how most people tend to judge a book by its cover and take no time to get to know how many struggles the individual may be going through regardless of their race. This article really opened my eyes and made me see that all races suffer from discrimination and prejudice in one way or another, we should see this as motivation to get rid of it completely.