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The Case for the Unifying Power of Bilingualism
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…
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American Latinos Are Leading the Multicultural Revolution
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…
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American Latinos and Their Role in the U.S. Economy
Every time I visit my local Hispanic supermarket, I see a woman selling tamales from her vehicle. Sometimes she’s with her kids, sometimes alone, but always working hard. Many people might overlook her and not realize the significant impact that Latinos have on the U.S. economy. To many Americans, she might seem like just another…
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Why I’m Raising Cultural Awareness to Promote Social Change
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…
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Bill of Rights for People of Mixed Heritage by Maria P. P. Root, Ph.D.
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…
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Becoming Bicultural to Parent the Children of Today ~ Book Review
Immigration is often a hot topic in the United States, and becoming bicultural is frequently equated with being an immigrant. However, we are witnessing a unique moment in history where our global society, regardless of origin, is evolving. Parenting in this context presents challenges that previous generations didn’t face, and preparing our children for today’s…
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Talking to Kids About Poverty: Raising Respectful and Compassionate Children
On any given day, I find myself telling my children about my childhood and the things I didn’t have growing up. When they complain about the internet being down, having too many toys to pick up, or how little time they got to stay in the pool, I remind them how fortunate they are. It’s…
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Starting Kindergarten at 4 Years Old and Life Without My Mom: #TheYearOf40
Months before we moved into the house my father was building with the money he won in the lottery, I was one of those kids starting kindergarten at 4 years old in a neighborhood school. If you’re thinking that was very young, let me clarify that this wasn’t my first time in school; I had…
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The Year My Father Won the Lottery & We Moved to Villa Mella#TheYearOf40
It was 1980, a year that marked the beginning of a new decade and also my third year on earth. However, in our family’s history, 1980 will forever be remembered as the year my father won the lottery in the most unexpected way. Here’s the thing: my father has never been a gambler. He never…
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My Toddler Tantrum Phase and Happenings from 1979 #TheYearOf40
When I decided to embark on this storytelling exercise, I didn’t anticipate how challenging it would be to extract memories of my early years from my mother and father. However, when it came to recalling my second year of life—when my toddler tantrum phase began—it wasn’t as difficult as I expected. With just a simple…
