Blog Entry - Week1 - Jan 12

This is my first classroom class that I have participated in over 20 years. I was initially surprised with the variety of ages and the diversity of the class. We started out the class with introductions and shared a little about ourselves.

I found out some very interesting things in the class. We in the United States call ourselves Americans. The continent is comprised of North America, Central America, and South America. What gives us the privilege to call ourselves Americans?

Another thing I found interesting was the stereotype of other Latin or South Americans being called Mexicans. I found that to be ignorant on the person calling the other people Mexican. Why would it be assumed that somebody with brown skin being from Mexico? Could it be it is all they have experienced? Could it be media influence with the people south of the border are Mexicans?

At the end of the class we broke into little groups and talked about what we know and heard about Latin Americans. We came up with family orientated, religious, hardworking, people are into arts, great vacation spots, desire to migrate to the United States and so forth.

One of the questions Curtis asked us is “Why are we here?”

I am here because I want to learn more about the Mexican culture and civilization. My mother, who passed away when I was 11 years old, was Mexican. I want to learn more about what made her who she was.