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Director: Hispanic Heritage Month a Time to Explore Rich Culture |
| By
Rebecca K. Shell |
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Oct 8, 2002 |
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| Dr. Dagmar Morales |
Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, is not only a time to celebrate the Hispanic culture, but it is also an opportunity to explore the complexities of the diversity within the culture.
“The Latino population is characterized by its diversity. We come from 19 different countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Chile and Brazil,” said Dr. Dagmar Morales, director of the UT Office of Latino Initiatives. “Each group has its own history and path to the U.S. Some Mexicans have lived for generations in California and New Mexico and are not immigrants. The major immigration of Puerto Ricans began after World War II when they came to work in industrial centers. And many Cubans that fled to the U.S. in the 1960s were upper-class professionals that Fidel Castro antagonized.”
According to Morales, all the different cultures within the Latino population do share several common bonds. “Spanish is the major unifying factor of Latinos; however, there are some communication patterns unique to the region. For example, Puerto Ricans and Cubans speak faster than Mexicans, and some of the same words have different meanings to Latinos from different countries.”
Puerto Rican-born Morales adds that Latinos in general are raised with common values. “One of the most important things to Latinos is family loyalty and respect for their elders. Latinos take great pride in providing emotional and material support to their families,” Morales said. “Intertwined with family values is the importance of respect for knowledge and wisdom that has been gained from personal experience, not from a book.”
According to Morales, one challenge Latinos face in America is overcoming the stereotype that they, especially those of Mexican origin, don’t value education. “One of the major reasons for them to immigrate is to ensure a better education for their children. But because they don’t know the rules and procedures of the U.S. educational system, they find the school environment threatening. This is why it is so important that we take a more interpersonal approach with our Latino students.”
As director of Latino Initiatives, Morales works with Latino students on everything from helping them secure scholarships to ensuring that they are taking advantage of the University’s services. “One of my main challenges is retention through graduation and making sure that Latino students get the personal attention they need. By helping them cut through the red tape, we can help make sure their college experience is a positive one and that they stick with it and earn their diploma.”
For information on Hispanic Heritage Month activities, contact Morales at 419.530.2779.
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