UMass prof Nieto kicks off Latino History Month
Olivia Hoffman
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Campus News
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Nieto's speech stressed the importance of preserving the unique and diverse ethnic identity of the Latino community and emphasized the importance of education as a "way out" for Latinos, who she said have "by and large experienced poor academic achievement."
"Access to high quality education and respect for students' identities" are the major issues to consider in the future of education for Latinos, Nieto said. Latinos make up 19 percent of the school-age population in the United States, she said, but most attend poorly funded and highly segregated schools.
"In general, Latinos are among the poorest in the nation," she said. "These are grim realities, but they are important realities to know."
Nieto, whose appointment is at UMass' School of Education, sought to debunk several myths about why Latinos in the United States tend to achieve less academically, including the assumption that education is not a priority for Latino parents and that Latino students are "culturally and experientially deprived."
She told the audience in MacMillan 117 that the existing deficits are rather a result of discrimination and a lack of knowledge among many Latinos about educational opportunities, such as scholarships and financial aid.
"I think the biggest obstacle is not the cost of tuition but that (Latino) students perceive that that's the biggest obstacle," she said.
Despite the current bleak situation, Nieto said there is a lot that can be done. "There is hope, and you are that hope," she said of the Latino students at Brown.
Nieto emphasized the importance of taking responsibility and serving as an educator and advocate in the Latino community and teaching others about the unique perspective of Latinos in the United States.