LECTURE SERIES
A Hispanic Heritage Reality Check
With Journalist and Professor Miguel Pérez
Touring U.S. Schools, Universities, and Communities
A Hispanic Heritage Reality Check
With Journalist and Professor Miguel Pérez
Touring U.S. Schools, Universities, and Communities
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"This is not Hispanic Fiesta Month. It should not be only about parades and cocktail parties. It's Hispanic Heritage Month and we should take the time to talk about our rich and proud heritage in North America."
Miguel Pérez is a Professor and former Chair of the Department of Journalism, Communication and Theatre at Lehman College, CUNY, a columnist with the Creators Syndicate, and a political analyst with Telemundo 47, in New York. |
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Prof. Pérez is a passionate, motivational speaker who radiates Hispanic pride. He takes his audience on a tour of Latino American history. He questions why so many Americans begin counting U.S. history when the British arrived, instead of the Florida landing in by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513. He questions why America’s 500th birthday is only being celebrated in Florida this year. He talks about the first European-American century, when the Spanish conquistadors explored huge portions of current U.S. territory.
Prof. Perez argues that the apprehension against Latinos in this country nowadays is partly based on an unacceptable lack of knowledge about the history of Latino contributions to this great nation.
"If you begin counting American history when the British arrived," Pérez says. "And if your education is based on U.S. history books and school curricula, you probably omit almost a century of Spanish exploration and colonization of North America. And perhaps that's why there is so much apprehension regarding Latinos and their language in this country nowadays. Many Americans simply don't know that Latinos have a very long history planting language and cultural roots in what is now U.S. territory, a history of very positive and unappreciated contributions to American society."
Prof. Pérez tries to instill a sense of pride in young Latinos. He gives them the historical ammunition with which to defend themselves when confronted with negative stereotypes. And he insists that Hispanic Heritage Month is the right time to “Re-conquer American History.”
To continue researching and writing his Hidden Hispanic Heritage series, already up to 37 parts, Prof. Perez will be traveling all over the country during the coming year and will be available to make presentations about his project. For schools and community organizations that may not afford a speaking fee, Prof. Pérez asks event organizers to cover only travel expenses (from NYC) and accommodations. If you would like to book an engagement, please e-mail Lilia Pérez at [email protected]
´Muchas Gracias!
Lilia Pérez
For more information, go to www.HiddenHispanicHeritage.com
Prof. Perez argues that the apprehension against Latinos in this country nowadays is partly based on an unacceptable lack of knowledge about the history of Latino contributions to this great nation.
"If you begin counting American history when the British arrived," Pérez says. "And if your education is based on U.S. history books and school curricula, you probably omit almost a century of Spanish exploration and colonization of North America. And perhaps that's why there is so much apprehension regarding Latinos and their language in this country nowadays. Many Americans simply don't know that Latinos have a very long history planting language and cultural roots in what is now U.S. territory, a history of very positive and unappreciated contributions to American society."
Prof. Pérez tries to instill a sense of pride in young Latinos. He gives them the historical ammunition with which to defend themselves when confronted with negative stereotypes. And he insists that Hispanic Heritage Month is the right time to “Re-conquer American History.”
To continue researching and writing his Hidden Hispanic Heritage series, already up to 37 parts, Prof. Perez will be traveling all over the country during the coming year and will be available to make presentations about his project. For schools and community organizations that may not afford a speaking fee, Prof. Pérez asks event organizers to cover only travel expenses (from NYC) and accommodations. If you would like to book an engagement, please e-mail Lilia Pérez at [email protected]
´Muchas Gracias!
Lilia Pérez
For more information, go to www.HiddenHispanicHeritage.com
