Hispanic People In America

Latinos and Hispanics are highly associated with every aspect of the United States. Colorado, as one of the most Hispanic-populated states in America, is deeply influenced by Hispanic culture and history. Exploring Hispanics living in Colorado and listening to their stories and ideas can be essential to understanding the United States. Therefore, I interviewed two Latino students currently enrolled at the University of Denver, including Herick Acosta and Gabe Marcano, and attended an educational lecture titled Leadership for a Multicultural Age: New Approaches to Leadership from Latino Communities by Juana Bordas.
Before this research, I have observed many other Hispanics working in United States for lowest-paid job, heard stories about them

being illegal immigrants from Latino countries and listened to numerous political debates regarding immigrants from Latin America. I have also noticed how people try to differentiate Hispanics and Latinos. When I applied to college, I realized Hispanic and Latino identity was separately listed in another category, but was a mandatory question for all college applicants. To some extent, I have been overwhelmed by the stories and opinions targeted toward Hispanics even though I have never made friends with Hispanics or met one in person until now.
America is noted for freedom and equity, topics politicians and celebrities have been stressing emphasizing. The definition of the American dream is that everyone can achieve success through hard work and determination. However, as more indigenous ethnic group, Hispanics are always having trouble surviving in this country. Their rightful access to education as a social benefit is largely biased, a fact that many are not willing to admit. With the concern of their social status and equality, I initiated a conversation with Herick and Gabe.
Herick Acosta1 is a freshmen at DU.

Even though he was born in the United States, his parents are illegal immigrants. As the first generation in his family to enter go to college, Herick is was academically outstanding in his high school. He designed his own webpage in high school while working at in several technological companies to sustain helping his family financially. I asked him how he felt in his high school. His answer surprised me. “Public schools in Denver that admit both white and Hispanic students divide the whole class into two different sections. One part is equipped with the best teachers and resources whereas the other one has the worst teachers and has totally different study pattern.” “Then which part were you in?” I asked. “My school had a test at the beginning of freshmen year of high school to divide students. Since I did well, I was placed in the better group. Hispanics on the other hand were underprivileged and therefore at a disadvantage because they were not properly educated in middle school.” Herick was one of the exceptions who realized the inequality and worked extremely hard to make it into the better part of his high school. The segregation Herick experienced in high school reminded me of Mendez v. Westminster’s story in which Hispanics students were sent to different schools intentionally opposed to different classes. However, even if when he, with his own effort, made it into the better part of his high school tried making the best of it, he

was still discriminated by his classmates and friends.
Gabe Marcano2 is also a freshmen at DU. His family is from Venezuela but settled down in Lakewood, a comparatively rich community. Easily depicted as “privileged” for being Hispanic, Gabe has his own story of misery. When he and his father went to a barbershop in downtown Denver, the staff in that barbershop treated them indifferently and was rude. She assumed they were from a poor community since they are “brown.” However, after she heard them talking about their houses in Lakewood, her attitude reverted immensely and she started to be welcoming and warm-hearted. The transition of that attitude was heart-breaking because it revealed how people around us are still judging others based on their appearance.
After the interview with Herick and Gabe, I began to contemplate and wonder how Hispanics are surviving with these injustices and what value for life they carry on with to address the inequalities. Ms. Juana Bordas’ talk gave me affirmative answers.
Juana Bordas moved to the U.S.

from Nicaragua on a banana boat.3 As the youngest daughter in a family of eight, she was the first generation to go to college. During her talk, she is always appreciative of the opportunities her mother brought her. Her mother used to be a house keeper and dishwasher, working hard to pay for her children’s education. Bordas stressed that her mother successfully defines what a leader is in the context of Hispanic leadership due to her devotion to her family. Collectivism within the Hispanic community that Bordas lived in shaped her sense of value and cultivated her as a leader for the next new generation. She is the advisor to Harvard’s Hispanic Journal on Public Policy and the Kellogg National Fellows Program and the trustee of the International Leadership Association.4 “Their vision, determination, and sacrifice taught me the essence of Servant Leadership." Her early years would instill in her a desire to make a contribution, give back, and to assist other Latinos to find their place in

society.
Contrary to what individualism asserts about community, Bordas benefits less from the “individual pursuits of happiness” but more from her mother’s devotion to her. Family bond and community engagement, therefore, have become a life-long career for her. Even though she learned English and was educated through the American system, what deeply rooted inside her heart is still from Nicaragua.
In a nutshell, Hispanics are still experiencing injustices to this day. It is of significance to point out though, that with their own value system and culture, Hispanics are thriving in this country in their own way. Their devotion to family and their concern for community is undeniably admirable.