“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
- Robert A Heinlein

“Would you do it for free?”

Even since hearing this exchange a number of years ago, I’ve since used it to identify what I truly love doing. The idea behind it is not destructive or sarcastic, but an attempt to get you in touch with what motivates you and what you are truly passionate about.

I love writing. Would I do it for free? Yes, I already do.

What would you do for free and spend an exorbitant amount of time doing it?

Crab mentality, sometimes referred to as crabs in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you.” The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless “king of the hill” competition (or sabotage) which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt to “pull down” (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, conspiracy or competitive feelings.

This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in reference to individuals or communities attempting to “escape” a so-called “underprivileged life,” but kept from doing so by others attempting to ride upon their coat-tails or those who simply resent their success.

Source: Wikipedia

The only time a person should break the rules is when the basics have been mastered, and only then if there’s worthwhile merit.

Here is the rule for breaking the rules – Only break a rule if there will be a better outcome than following a rule would provide, or have reached similar results but with less effort.

This of course implies not causing havoc towards others if you want to remain conscientious.

This Op-ED piece points out a few prominent Latinas in NY that did not make the count.

The lesson here is not to get mad, and not to gather the mob, but to get recognized by be vocal. Being vocal means to get involved in what’s going on around your sphere of influence; and if that means “owning” your own soapbox – be it a blog, magazine or other distribution platform, then so be it.

Continuing from my interview with my brother - A Talk With My Brother, a Latino with a PhD in Physics – I decided to follow up with a chat with my wife, who works in the NYC Department of Education system.

While the meaning of success will differ from person to person, you will hardly find anyone supporting the idea that education is not the most important; and if our educational system holds up a mirror to that notion, we cannot be inspired by the reflection looking back (see chart).

The day my wife graduated, it was like she was a beacon of inspiration of what one can do when desire is matched with dedication. It was a momentous day that continues to send ripples to this current day.

As always, if you want to contact her or comment please feel free to do so in the comments section.

Tell us about yourself:
My name is Yolanda Pagan. I am a proud mother, wife and daughter. I have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am an elementary school teacher. I’ve been teaching for 6 years now.

Where did you grow up and how has your experience influenced you?
I grew up in the Bronx, NY in Parkchester. When I was around 8 years old, the neighborhood started deteriorating, so much so, we stopped going to the park just a few yards away from where we lived. From school, we’d go straight home. My parents wanted a better life for themselves and their children. They fell in love with the city of Yonkers in Westchester County, and I’ve been here ever since! The move from the Bronx to Yonkers put things into perspective for me once I got older. As a child, you naturally gravitate towards the newest toy out or the coolest sneakers, but something my parents instilled in me was to have boundaries and self-control. I never got everything I wanted, but always had all that I needed. The move from that deteriorating neighborhood to an upper middle-class neighborhood taught me lessons of love, sacrifice and aspiring for bigger and better things.

What motivated you to do what you do and why do you continue to do it?
Well, my mother asked me a question that unbeknownst to me, would change my life forever which was: “Did you ever think about becoming a teacher, like me and your father?”…I had an epiphany that day and the rest is history. My mother paid for my very first teaching exam, the L.A.S.T, which I took on her birthday, April 24, and passed with flying colors. My parents were/are my biggest inspiration, as their background is in education so the bloodline continued with me. I eventually got all of my certifications and a Master’s Degree. I continue to teach because it drives me to say I change children’s lives by building a strong learning foundation for them. Also, a wise man (wink, wink) once told me if you love what you do, you’ll do it for free. I really would teach for free! However, in theory, it sounds nice but in practice, love doesn’t pay the bills…so in other words- I get paid to do what I love: teach to make a difference.

How do you feel about discrimination in education, the work place…have you experienced it?
Fortunately, I have not experienced discrimination (as of yet anyway). If anything at all, one might perceive my young appearance to mean I’m inexperienced and still wet behind the ears. But little do they know, I am very knowledgable in my field and am always reflective of my teaching practices and constantly look for ways to better myself which in turn, translates to my further enhancing the lives of others. I can thank my Mom for the good genes though!

Do you think being a Latina inspired you? If so, in what way?
Most definitely! Latinas are known for being fierce, driven, and passionate about what they love and I feel as though I encompass those traits! The plight of Latinos in their countries as well as in the U.S. hasn’t exactly been an easy one, and I feel that all of our trials and tribulations, have made us a stronger people.

How do you keep ahead or keep growing for the future?
I view myself as a person fully capable of making mistakes. I learn, reassess, reflect and move forward. However, I am a perfectionist who is very detail-oriented and am my biggest critic! To grow means never possessing feelings of grandeur, because once you reach the top, there’s no more room for self-improvement. It’s a great feeling once you get there but its important to be humble and always be open to learning and growing.

What do you have to say to others, Latino or otherwise about education and it’s long term affects?
Get an education, not for the degree on the wall, nor for what people may or may not think of you with an education, but for your own personal growth and enrichment. Accessibility to life-changing opportunities become available through education. Without one, you may find your asking “What if?…” one too many times. Like they say: Knowledge is power!

Latinos Silent about Science

If getting Latinos to vote is hard, try getting them into science – specifically life sciences. In the U.S. the amount of Latinos who hold a Masters degree is just above 2% and the amount of Latinos who hold a doctorate is less than 1% Those statistics are disheartening.

After participating in a few discussions about the lack of Latinos holding a degree in higher education, I decided to do an interview with my brother.  He holds a PhD in Physics.  Growing up I watched him study hard, sometimes late into the night to go after his goal.  The doubt of him reaching his goal never entered my mind, as I’m sure it never entered his.

Hopefully, if you’re on a similar path you’ll find some words of inspiration and encouragement.  Feel free to leave a comment if you wish to ask him a specific question.

Who are you, what is your education level and what do you do?
My name is Daniel Pagan.  I hold a Doctorate in physics; currently a software developer/analyst.

Where did you grow up and how has your experience influenced you?
I am from NY, born and raised. I was more athletic than studious growing up until my late high-school years. I didn’t come from a well-to-do family and that provided a lot of motivation.

Why did you choose Physics?
I love the subject and… it’s fun! Aside from that, I feel no other subject taught in Higher Learning equips one with a skill-set as broad and as diverse.

How do you feel about discrimination in education, the work place…have you experienced it?
I’ve never been discriminated against in academia. In fact, I’ve been embraced. These days, it is rare for students to study physics. Physics departments all over the country find it difficult to fill their classrooms. That’s because there are no want-ads (or at least they are fairly rare) that say: “Help wanted. Physicists apply within.” So all of the scientifically-/mathematically-minded students are pushed to more application-oriented subjects, like engineering, instead. That is a shame. So, my experience has been that of being embraced. For those who have experienced discrimination, I say this: don’t let that stop you or stand in your way; turn the other cheek and move forward.

What do you have to say to others, Latino or otherwise about education and its long term affect?
Do it. Get a Bachelor’s degree; then get a Master’s degree. Like it or not, the economy is now a global one. That means that we compete for jobs with people from around the world. And, sad as it is to say, many of the subjects taught here at an advanced level are taught abroad at an elementary one. Combine that with the fact that the very advanced students from abroad come here with those advanced skills and it is clear that the competition is intense. So invest in your education. It is the passport with which to traverse the global economy.

How do you keep ahead or keep growing for the future?
I’ve realized one truth (out of many): you need to follow your passion. Once it is found, you will be amazed at your energy level and how seemingly effortless things become in pursuit of it. Find it, then follow it!

UPDATE: The next interview on Education will be my wife who holds a Masters in Education and teaches in the New York Education system.

This post serves a few purposes:

One is to test the WordPress mobile app. So, if you are reading this then it works.

Two is to announce a collaborative writing partnership in the next couple of weeks. Very exciting.

Also in a couple of weeks (which brings us to no. 3) is the launch of a solution-based service to better serve the Latino (and everyone) community. Super exciting.

Wepa!

There is a lot more to reading than just what you have read.  Contrary to appearances, reading is an active process.  Here are some things I keep in mind when reading.

1. Printed information have several degrees of authority. Books may in fact have one of the highest degree of influence because of the prestigious nature of  the publishing industry.  But, that doesn’t mean what is printed is correct.  As a whole, you should learn to question what you have read.
2. Critical reading – learn to separate facts from viewpoints when reading, once mastered you’ll be able to discern bullshit more easily when it’s told to your face.
3. Reading and writing are like coins (I forgot where I read this from), they are two opposing actions – not in conflict of one another, but in harmony.  Learn to be a better writer by studying how someone else writes.
4. If you’re a good thinker, then you can be a good writer.  Writing is thinking on paper.  Write (and read) more to improve how you think.
5. The very nature of reading what someone else has wrote introduces you to new ideas.  This is especially true when you read a writer from a different culture or time period.  Introduce yourself to new modes of thinking through reading.

After social media report on top of social media report, and after the Census it is undeniably clear that the numbers of Latinos are the major factor to our noticeable influence.

But numbers are not be enough to make a difference – I’d take one excellent product over one hundred mediocre products any day.

Being an agent of change – a #gamechanger – is key.  Latinos need to be creative, innovative, aggressive and consistent to make true headway.

I value those four traits because those elements foster out-of-the-box thinking that ultimately changes the game and creates new rules and opps (opportunities).  If you look at any new or trendsetting initiative they have these in common.

If you are Latino, or not you need to look at the landscape, figure it out and crack it’s code and then ad your own hack-code or an entirely new code in order to change the game.