Los Graduados A Film About Latino Students

Latino students

The Highlights of the Bernardo Ruiz Interview

For Mr. Ruiz, the intention behind The Graduates/Los Graduados is to resolutely reframe the dialogue about Latinos and education, bolster student leadership and invite community action. Reflecting on educational trends in the U.S., Ruiz argues that the ongoing rhetoric about Latino high-school dropout rates invites negativism about Latino youth. Alternatively, a new narrative that stresses an orientation towards success can help turn the tide, catapulting Latino adolescents towards graduation.

A message Ruiz wants to see constantly delivered to Latino youth is “Which college are you going to attend?” An action he seeks to instill in all of us is community involvement. Greater engagement matters. As the documentary illustrates, the leadership and advocacy exercised by parents, teachers, schools, advocates and the students themselves were instrumental in their paths to high-school graduation.

The Dreamers

Nothing is unfathomably grim. In fact, for Ruiz, entirely the opposite is true. He argues that while marginalization may still exist, there is a new wave of powerful action stemming from the bottom up: The Dreamers. Young Latino students have popped everywhere, skillfully using social medial, articulately engaging with elected officials, and strategically developing and delivering educational policy alternatives.

The DREAM Act, also known as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, was introduced on May 11, 2011, in the Senate by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 32 fellow senators, and in the House of Representatives by Reps. Howard Berman (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Lucille Roybal-Allard.  If approved, the DREAM Act would enable immigrant students who have grown up in the US to legalize their immigrant status, and be eligible for citizenship, if they go to college.  In addition, this legislation would eliminate federal state provisions that penalize states that provide in-state tuition for students, regardless of immigration status.

The Dreamers are active participants in civic discourse, and Ruiz sees enormous potential in their quest to ensure that education is attainable by all, regardless of socio-economic and immigration status. For the Dreamers, as well as for Ruiz, this is a path to leadership and change. For viewers of The Graduates/Los Graduados, this is made clear when one of the protagonists becomes a leading Dreamer, and all six students move forward on their educational paths post high school.

What’s at the root of his efforts? I asked Director Ruiz. For him, “The Graduates/Los Graduados serves as a vehicle in the search for dignity, justice and empowerment.”  His quest is taking him to the West Coast Premiere of The Graduates/Los Graduados in San Diego, to showings in New York, and many other cities and towns across the U.S. Community screenings, free to the public, are starting to happen throughout the country. These events bring together youth and adults, presenting panel discussions with experts in education and policymaking.

Vitally Significant

Fruitful dialogue and community engagement are clearly the palpable goals of these multi-generational, multicultural dialogues. The expected outcomes over time: Latino youth leadership is tapped, cultivated and unleashed. By enhancing these adolescentsÂ’ capacities, they can strengthen their potential and expand their significant roles as effective contributors to the socio-economic vitality of this country.

 

 

 More articles by Mara:

Finding our Entrepreneurial Seeds Through Self-reflection

Creating Space to Re-energize the Self and Business

 

RELATED POSTS

Mi Mamá Es Una Brava

Mi Mamá Es Una Brava

She was fierce, unapologetic, unselfish and brava. Editor's note: This is a reprise piece from Gaby Alcantara Diaz remembering her late parents and brother.   Over 21.2 million (all) immigrant women reside in the United States since 2013 with many traveling by foot,...

Video Gallery

Polls

Sign Up for the Latin Biz Today Newsletter

PR Newswire

Featured Authors

avatar for Alexandra KontosAlexandra Kontos

Alexandra Kontos is a licensed insurance a...

Innovation & Strategy

Money

Talent/HR

Legal

Marketing

Culture

Fashion

Food

Music

Sports

Work & Life

Mindfulness

Health & Fitness

Travel & Destinations

Personal Blogs

Pin It on Pinterest