How much do we value, celebrate and affirm the culture and language of our students? What do you call a school that has a student body that is 96% latino, with most being of Mexican heritage, and doesn't celebrate its rich cultural heritage like I believe it should. Fill in the blank _______. This question arose after the recent celebration of the Mexican Revolution at our school, which was a gallant effort led by less than a handful of teachers. This lead me to think of the following questions that should lead to some soul searching. How do we as a school celebrate and affirm the culture and language of our students? How do we as classroom teachers, celebrate and affirm the culture and language of our students? How do we resource teachers and technology specialists celebrate and affirm the culture and language of our students? How do we as Latinos on the staff promote our heritage?

"Our" people in general have practiced bricolage (extending the term from Levi-Strauss), which is the ability to improvise with whatever tools one has available. Even with low wages and being discriminated against, our people have found a way to improvise to put food on the table, clothe themselves, survive and more. If we who are educated and have chosen to work in the teaching vocation, then is not more expected of us?

So, there is no excuse on why I haven't, as an educator or technology specialist helped in the noble act of honoring our raza. I have to ask myself if I value my heritage and sharing the same. As I have been told, good intentions are not enough.

This is not so much about a holiday, but more about what it means to be "other" in an oppressive society (Enrique Dussel - Argentinian Latin American Liberation Philospher living in Mexico). No, just being born Latino and living in a Latino barrio guarantees that we understand and appreciate our past and present culture. If we do not know who we are, how can we appreciate those who are different than us?
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