What does it mean to be an American Latino?
"Consulting Vice President Michael Duran provides his perspective as an American Latino in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 - October 15, 2023."
In this day and age, what does it mean to be an American Latino? The answer begins with an understanding of the common pride we share about who we are and what we’ve accomplished. Our community has made and continues to make contributions in the sciences, the arts, medicine, engineering, law and every imaginable discipline.
Pursuing the American Dream is made possible by the dedication and hard work of our elders for instilling in us faith, tradition and love of family. They knew that pursuing higher education was the path to a successful and full life. In gratitude to them, we stand on their shoulders because they made it possible for my generation and those that follow us to succeed. These are the pillars that anchor us in the American Latino community.
Whatever faith we follow, and there are many, it is what drives us to believe in a power much bigger than us. We owe our parents and grandparents a debt of gratitude for they are the spiritual foundation that guides us to be people with humility, integrity and purpose in everything we do.
Whether it’s holiday gatherings, the food we eat and share together or the family celebrations to honor loved ones, these are rituals passed down from one generation to another. These time honored traditions serve as the bedrock that form our identity.
In our communities, family has always been the anchor that binds us to one another. It provides us with our strength, support and grounding. Home is where we begin and end our day and our families serve as our launching pad for everything we do to succeed.
Throughout the generations our elders have encouraged us, in fact I’d say they pushed us, to pursue a higher education. They understood that a good education would be the springboard to success. Now thanks to their encouragement and support, the American Latino enrollment in higher education is as strong as ever.
Within my own family there are many of us so-called “first generation” college graduates. Even though our parents may not have had the opportunities that my generation now has, our success is a direct result of their sacrifice and gutsy determination. And guess what: for every succeeding generation it won’t be a question of if you’re going to college, but rather which college are you attending. It’s that bedrock support from our families that make it possible to say the sky's the limit.
The story of the American Latino experience is one of perseverance, hard work and dedication to an ideal that anything is possible. These are all lessons taught to us by role models at home and in our families.
Michael Duran
