White Privilege and Racial Identity

          As part of a minority, Mexican, I can unquestionably agree that a “white privilege” exists.  It is part of my college experience here at Marquette.  As I walk throughout the campus, I get the feeling that I am the only Mexican, even though this isn’t true.  It is definitely nice to be in an environment where you fit in.  Therefore, I believe that this “white privilege” and sense of racial identity has kept me from truly enjoying my college experience.  Although everyone is extremely friendly and I get along with others, it is nice to have friends with similar racial identities.  I believe that if I felt as though I fit in more, I would be involved in all sorts of activities at Marquette.
          I also experience great difference in racial identities on a daily basis.  Even though I am a citizen here in the United States, I have many family members and friends who are not.  It is shocking to see how this truly affects them in everything they do.  For example, every time they are out driving on the streets they have to be careful to avoid the police at all times.  Therefore, they feel scared every time they are out on the streets.  This is something I have never felt, and it is something that I think “whites” don’t ever feel or think about.  Another problem is finding a job.  It is extremely hard for someone without documents to get hired in a good work place.  In conclusion, I know that “white privilege” exists.  However, I feel as though Americans take for granted all the great opportunities they are granted to succeed in life.

Service Learning Reflection

          For my service learning, I am attending Summit.  The girls Summit program consists of an hour of tutoring and an hour of recreational activities.  Because they are in need of much volunteers, I invited my mother.  She started volunteering there too.  Although I have only attended my site twice, I already know that I will greatly enjoy volunteering there.  When I first arrived, I noticed that most of the girls in the program were Hispanic.  I was glad to be there because I myself am Mexican.  I could therefore relate to my student.  I was appointed to assist a third grader.  Although she is a third grader, she doesn’t speak much English.  This is due to the fact that she attends a bilingual school.  As a result, I have been focusing on Reading with her.  While helping, I get a certain feeling of gladness.  I enjoy hearing Donaji laugh and simply talking with her.  I know that I will impact her in some way.  I am looking forward to the rest of my time there and the fun field trips.

Reflection on Goals of Education, Power and Control of Schools

What is the goal of education?  This question has become a political question, causing great controversy.  There are those that believe that the goal of education is to create good citizens.  Another answer is that education is meant to further the economy.  Finally, there are those that believe that education is supposed to improve the social class status.  Regardless of these conflicting answers, I believe that education can strive to meet all these goals.  I don’t believe that one single goal is superior to the rest.  In order to construct a strong, successful nation, we must possess all these good qualities:  good citizens and economy, and an improved social class.  As to who controls schools, I believe that the local government should have the ultimate say.  I believe that the federal government is inadequate because it cannot respond to the needs of each individual community.  In my opinion, local school boards, although sometimes exclusively elite groups, can run a school better than the federal government.  I also believe that the federal government is gaining too much control over schools.  In regards to financial aid by the government, I believe that is alright if it contributes money as long as it doesn’t try to impose any of its rules as a catch.

Introduction and Education Experience

I am Alejandra Cordero.  Even though I grew up in the United States, I was born in Mexico.  I was born in the city of Zacatecas, Zacatecas.  However, at the age of three, just before I entered school, my parents brought me to the new world.  My first two years of preschool were spent in Head Start, located at the heart and soul of the south side of Milwaukee.  Even though English was not my first language, I adopted the new language.  I then started elementary school in St. Anthony.  I attended a private, Catholic school.  St. Anthony was a Hispanic populated school.  However, I must admit that I personally didn’t feel that the education there reached certain standards.  I really liked the environment, the people, but I was a rebel.  For example, I was always late to class.  Nonetheless, that had to stop.

After completing fourth grade, I was hit with the sad news.  I was transferring schools.  My sister and I found out that we were transferring schools to Holy Wisdom Academy.  At that time however, I didn’t see it as an enhancement.  My new school was the total opposite of St. Anthony.  The prime difference being the race of the school—Caucasian.  Looking back today, I don’t think I never fully adjusted to the change.  I never really felt comfortable, knowing that I was the only Hispanic girl in my class.  However, this change in my environment did allow me to strive for academic excellence.  I was given the opportunity to look beyond that stereotypical Mexican outlook in life.  I graduated eighth grade as valedictorian of my class.

My high school career was similar to my middle school experience.  Saint Thomas More High School was also a private, Catholic school.  Once again, I was the only Hispanic student in the AP classes I took.  Overall, I tried to have a good time even though I was never around my friends.  I talked to students in my class—acquaintances, however, they were never considered friends.  All of my friends took normal courses.  Therefore, I never got to see them.  However, I did get involve in school activities.  I really got involved in sports—basketball, cross country, soccer.  I can proudly say I graduated high school as part of the smartest ten percent of my class.