Teachable Moments
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Graduation---Celebration---Jubilation
I participated in the graduation ceremony at California State University
at Los Angeles (CSULA) this past week.
It was wonderful to see graduates of all nationalities and ages marching
proudly onto the field with their caps, tassels, and gowns, while their
families cheered them on from the stands.
Ms. Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, was the keynote speaker for the graduation.
She recounted the struggles her own working class parents had to endure to make sure that all of their children had successful lives.
She also shared the story of her high school counselor who insisted that she
not go to college. Upon asking him why he thought she should forfeit the idea
of going to college, his only response was because she was Latina! In his opinion,
her only hope for success in life was to become a secretary.
Well, she had a message to give to that high school counselor: She did become
a secretary....The Secretary of Labor!!!!!!!!!!
Educators, I am pleading with you...do not try to predict or give advice to
children about their future aspirations based upon their socio-economic status,
race, culture or language.
They deserve the chance to experience graduation, their families to indulge in a
celebration and the entire "village" to express jubilation!!!!
at Los Angeles (CSULA) this past week.
It was wonderful to see graduates of all nationalities and ages marching
proudly onto the field with their caps, tassels, and gowns, while their
families cheered them on from the stands.
Ms. Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, was the keynote speaker for the graduation.
She recounted the struggles her own working class parents had to endure to make sure that all of their children had successful lives.
She also shared the story of her high school counselor who insisted that she
not go to college. Upon asking him why he thought she should forfeit the idea
of going to college, his only response was because she was Latina! In his opinion,
her only hope for success in life was to become a secretary.
Well, she had a message to give to that high school counselor: She did become
a secretary....The Secretary of Labor!!!!!!!!!!
Educators, I am pleading with you...do not try to predict or give advice to
children about their future aspirations based upon their socio-economic status,
race, culture or language.
They deserve the chance to experience graduation, their families to indulge in a
celebration and the entire "village" to express jubilation!!!!