On August of 2019, my second bilingual children’s book was published: “Sebastian’s Game Day Surprise/La Sorpresa de Sebastián el Día del Partido Final”. The book was commissioned by the program called Read Conmigo. This book was really special to me as it allowed me to bring to life a character that positively represents AfroLatino children […]
My Second Bilingual Children’s Book: Sebastian’s Game Day Surprise Read More »
I just got back from my hometown of Santo Domingo and am now experiencing what I call the ‘withdrawal stage’ after returning to the United States from the Dominican Republic. Besides the nostalgic feeling of leaving friends and family behind, there’s also a longing for the natural joy that’s so inherent to life on the
3 Happiness Lessons Our Kids Can Learn from Dominican Culture Read More »
As I was looking at old photos the other night, memories of my teenage years in Santo Domingo flooded my mind. I began thinking about my late aunt, Anairis, who probably never realized the profound impact she had on my life. She always told me that I was a natural leader, and those words, as
7 TED Talks You Must Watch on Biases, Racial Inequality, and Violence Read More »
As a mother, I often catch myself saying things my grandmother used to say, like “things aren’t the same as they used to be,” as I sigh and reminisce about my childhood. The truth is, nothing is like it used to be, and we must prepare our children to navigate a complex world. Raising culturally
Raising Culturally Aware Kids for a Global Society Read More »
When I left my island in my mid-twenties, I didn’t set out to live a multicultural life. I never imagined that more than a decade later, I would be nurturing multicultural friendships in my American-born children. Multicultural living wasn’t even on my mind before I moved to the United States; at that time, Santo Domingo
3 Simple Ways to Nurture Multicultural Friendships in Children Read More »
As the world bids farewell to Muhammad Ali, there’s no doubt about his lightning-fast moves and powerful punch. He will forever be remembered as the greatest, the most celebrated athlete of his time. However, I want to pay tribute to his other strengths—the rapid rhythm of his poetry and the force of his principles. It
Remembering Muhammad Ali: Great Lessons From the Activist Champion Read More »
Traditionally, in the United States, there has been a common belief that speaking a foreign language is un-American—a sort of betrayal. It’s as if speaking a language other than English denies a core American value. This topic has long been contentious, dividing people. That’s why I want to talk about the unifying power of bilingualism
The Case for the Unifying Power of Bilingualism Read More »
One of the things I am most proud of as a mom is raising my children to be bilingual and multicultural. However, if you saw me interacting with my tiny, almost two-year-old son, you might be confused. This kid resists learning Spanish—when I say “buenas noches,” he responds with “good night.” Although this might seem
American Latinos Are Leading the Multicultural Revolution Read More »
Multiculturalism has been a passion of mine ever since I moved to the United States. However, after having children, this passion grew even stronger as I realized that raising my kids with an understanding of diverse cultures would enable them to interact and thrive in a multicultural society. This realization is why I am committed
Why I’m Raising Cultural Awareness to Promote Social Change Read More »
In 1992, Dr. Maria P. P. Root wrote the Bill of Rights for People of Mixed Heritage, a groundbreaking document empowering individuals of mixed heritage to assert their identities, whatever they might be. In the United States, people who appear ethnically ambiguous have often been rendered invisible or pressured to “choose a side” based on
Bill of Rights for People of Mixed Heritage by Maria P. P. Root, Ph.D. Read More »
