The Jose Vilson Blog - Latest Comments in Technically Latino

Re: Technically Latino

Luz Maria — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:08:59 -0000

It is amazing how history textbooks in this country will not even acknowledge that Latinos have been part of its history since the 1500s. I am not referring to the Spaniards that set up the mission in Florida. Before the southwest became part of the United States, the people who lived in this region spoke Spanish and were Mexican citizens. Yet the perception many have of Latinos in this country are of the immigrants, los mojados, music, and dancing. Therefore it makes sense that J.Lo was chosen to launch the Latino Heritage month at a high school.

Growing up, we were not made aware of the many Latino men and women whom have contributed significantly to the world and this country. I have to admit that I really had a hard time of coming up with five names. When I spoke to my dad and asked him, I was in awe of this man who did not complete high school because he just started giving me names of scientists. Of course I didn't have a pen and paper to write them down but the lesson I learned was priceless.

Our kids need more role models. They need to see that there are people who like them in these professions. As an educator, I have to make it my business to provide my students with said information and not leave it to the powers to be if I want them to be aware.

Gracias Jose.

Re: Technically Latino

The Urban Scientist — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:01:05 -0000

Thanks gentlemen, this is great. I'm coming up short, too. I might have to break my own "no googling rule", but I'll wait. The purpose is to shine light and educate. I'll try to find some Latino/Hispanic STEM professional websites first and let them know about this meme. And I'll try to get some fellow Science/Engineering Bloggers to play along.

Thanks for spreading the word and your great insight, Jose. Having role models, or at least someone to reference, in an under-represented field matters. You made that point so well. I've been struggling for the right words to explain that. Thanks.

Re: Technically Latino

Tracy Rosen — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:40:54 -0000

Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela - Maturana is Chilean, I'm guessing Varela as well. They work in the area of neuroscience. I know of them because my Masters work got into the biology of cognition, which is what they are into.

Varela wrote one of my favourite little books, Ethical Know-How: Action, Wisdom, and Cognition.

I've got a video of Maturana talking about the biology of love in a comment to one of my posts. Here's the link:
http://leadingfromtheheart....

Paulo Freire and his pedagogy of hope.

Of course, I only met these people in GRAD SCHOOL, ok Freire maybe during my BEd...but that was my second degree so I was about 26.

I have no memory of learning about Latin/Hispanic PEOPLE, let alone scientists in grade school. For Real.

<abbr>Tracy Rosens last blog post..Learning From My Students As I Rise</abbr>

Re: Technically Latino

Hugh O'Donnell — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:02:02 -0000

Well, after coming up empty (hell, I can't name five Irish scientists), I googled "hispan..." and google filled in the rest of "hispanic scientists."

Here's the first link I looked at: http://www.factmonster.com/...

<abbr>Hugh O'Donnells last blog post..The Pace of Change</abbr>

Re: Technically Latino

The Jaded NYer — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:01:51 -0000

man... this post hit so close to home. Growing up my teachers were pushing the math and science on me like it was going out of style, but I really had no one to look up to and was like, "What am I going to do with a Math degree?"

Not that I had any Latino writers to look up to, either (at the time), but engineering, math, sciences- even though it is what I ended up studying- never drew me because there didn't seem to be a place for me.

I don't know... maybe I just didn't look hard enough.

(and your last comments on jennifer and diddy... LMAO!! preach on!!)

<abbr>The Jaded NYers last blog post..Drum Roll, BITCHEZ!</abbr>