Ethics 2430

Learning Outcomes Reflection

Learning about the history of Mexico and how it intertwines with the history of the
United states is fascinating. From the Aztec empire, colonization by the Spanish, dictatorships,
and uprisings, to the border changes and wars with America. There is a rich, tested and
extremely resilient culture and people that I have the opportunity to I live among and now know
more about.
The contemporary issues that Mexican Americans face today are so paralleled to what
has happened consistently since the Treaty of Guadalupe. I have gained perspective for our own
times from learning about people and movements such as Cesar Chavez, the Chicano civil
rights movements and The Bracero Program.
Through doing the paper and final project I learned about many issues facing Mexican
Americans today and created a plan of action to deal with one in particular. I focused on the
issue of obesity and how a program that brings active play to neighborhoods could fight its
effects.
Others projects helped enable me to deeply think about how critical other issues are.
Issues such as gangs, HIV, education, and parentification need help from all facets of our
society.
While critically thinking about the issue of obesity, I developed my skills for research,
interpreting data, and communicating to people in the community that are stakeholders in issues
facing Latinos. This will help me immensely in my future profession.

As a future educator I will have greater cultural competence. I have more understanding
of these pressing issues my Mexican American students, their parents and families may be
dealing with. Having knowledge of their culture the barriers they may encounter will help me
communicate with them better as individuals, as members of my classroom, and community.
Outside of my future classroom, communication with Latinos will be very beneficial.
Familiarity with their social customs and their communication styles will be very useful. Simple
things like using personalismo will go along way in diverse social, group and community
interactions.
There are many complexities that make up the lives of Mexican Americans. For first
generation immigrants there is much to overcome. Blending with a new culture and keeping
one's identity is very difficult. Language is a necessity that can take years to learn. Families can
be separated for long periods or permanently. They have so much to navigate.
Subsequent generations have those same issues and others. Parentification, having two
distinct cultures and languages. Finding their way creates many hardships.
An overarching idea that I take away from this class is that Mexican Americans add so
much to our society. I feel lucky to have them as neighbors and friends. I feel empowered with
deeper cultural competence, knowledge and understanding to be help in the issues they face, and
see a need for social activism to balance inequalities.