Latino Stereotypes and the Drive for Excellence

As I finished reading Sean Mitchell’s article on Luis Valdez, a thought flashed through my mind: Would Valdez have come so far and done so much if he had not faced the obstacle of the “Latino” tag? (By this I mean “obstacle” from the Anglo point of view.)

I’m speaking of the extra incentive one feels when he or she strives to do better than the Anglo kid with the symbolic silver spoon in his mouth.

I feel sorry for those who were not born with a fire inside that, angled just right, can grow into a unique creative inferno.

I’m so proud of my Latino brothers and sisters who commit themselves to projects beyond being the toughest one in the gang. Viva to us--we’re much better than people think we are; but most important, we’re much better than what we ourselves have thought we were!

HELEN M. ROMAN

Hacienda Heights