Why Are We Forgetting About Latino Youth?
*From the article: “In failing to see the value of Latino youth, we are doing ourselves a disservice.” Truth. VL
By
As we address the need to better understand American Latinos and to further involve them in solving our country’s most critical issues, many times we forget to talk about one of our biggest assets: Latino youth.
Latino youth are well aware of issues in their communities, and their upbringing gives them a unique perspective — a powerful combination to solving problems. However, Latino youth are not often thought of when solutions are drafted.
This may be because studies show that when it comes to educational attainment, Latino youth sometimes lag behind. What isn’t always accounted for in these studies, however, are experiences, work ethic, drive, and persistence to take advantage of opportunities. In failing to see the value of Latino youth, we are doing ourselves a disservice.
During the Aspen Institute’s Latinos and Society Program’s second annual America’s Future Summit: Reimagining Opportunity in a Changing Nation, over 200 activists gathered to present and discuss opportunity, and how to solve growing disparities and the unequal distribution of opportunities. The Summit also looked to collaborations among cross-sector players such as businesses, community, and philanthropic organizations, governments, and movements to solve these issues.
Read more NewsTaco stories on Facebook. >>
While the entire Summit was productive, there was one instance that moved attendees, and that was when three Los Angeles high school students addressed the audience, shared compelling stories and issues affecting them, and offered solutions of their own.
[Photo by Kate Gardiner/Flicker]
