NYS Latinos in 2050: Looks like NYS is failing us!

I'm looking at the demographic trends of where Latinos are now and where they are heading, and I can see some serious issues for NYS ahead if we don't do something - if we don't make our leaders do something. I'm a Puerto Rican mom with two Latino daughters - I want to know what kind of future NYS will give them. And I'm telling you right now, it's not pretty.

The majority of Latinos in NYS are currently in the service and retail industries. Yes, there are many in the professions (doctors, lawyers, etc.) and a rising number are entrepreneurs. But the majority are in occupations that don't require a college degree.

Okay, so maybe that's because of baby boomers and other generations who didn't have the opportunities Latinos and people of color generally have today. So, I look at college demographics.

Yep, rising population of Latinos heading to college - but, not graduating at the same rate as whites. Hmmm. The State University of New York will soon be at 25% Latino students, but only 6% of faculty are people of color. That can't be right - I'd better make a few calls and check those numbers. But if that's true - no wonder grad rates aren't as high for students of color at SUNY. Where's the support???

All right, let's look at elementary and high schools. Again we have few Latino teachers, rising numbers of Latino students, and creeping numbers of graduation rates, and creeping numbers of high school grads going to college. From day one when a student of color enters kindergarten, there should be an assumption that that child is going to college. Every teacher, parent, principal, support service provider, cafeteria server, janitor, and coach in that student's entire educational career should be saying "of course you're going to college" every day. And NYS needs to give schools the support to make those words come true.

But the numbers are there. It doesn't look like it's coming true. Well, it is, but the rates of growth of high school to college transitions are creeping for Latinos compared to whites.

In 2050, there will be more people of color in NYS than whites. Will the State's economy shift to a population that is so heavy in service and retail industries that the State's financial, health, and legal professions/industries falter? Innovation, technology - will the economic and innovative strength of our country be centered in white states?

Until NYS's educational systems can meet the unique needs of Latinos and other people of color, NYS is facing terrible trouble in 2050. We must get our people into the sciences and technology, we must have them graduating from law and medical schools, we must have them on Wall Street.

But NYS is still stuck in a primarily white-based educational system, both in regular education and in higher education. And - NYS is still not doing near enough for Minority and Women Owned Businesses.  

The kids entering kindergarten today will be our State's primary working population in 2050. What kind of work will they be doing? How will the State prepare them for the work needed in 2050?

Green and Clean for the Holidays

Thank you, Illinois Chapter of Sierra Club, for emailing me the following great tips:

Green and Clean for the Holidays
No doubt will you be cleaning before your guests arrive.  Try mixing up these simple green cleaners that will leave both your house and conscience clean.

 

All-purpose green cleaner: Combine 2 cups white vinegar with 2 cups water in a spray bottle. You can scent with a few drops of essential oil. As with all acidic solutions, do not use this on marble. It will destroy the finish and can even etch the surface. Another option is 3 tablespoons baking soda dissolved in warm water in a spray bottle.

Vinegar: it naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner and also works well as a deodorizer and disinfectant. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being inexpensive. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. You shouldn’t worry about your home smelling like vinegar because the smell disappears when it dries.

Lemon Juice: is another natural substance that can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon juice combined with salt is a great substitute to clean and shine brass and copper. It also can be mixed with vinegar and/or baking soda to make cleaning pastes.

Baking Soda: can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleaners. Baking soda is a great deodorizer when placed inside the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action.

Salt: perfect for cleaning grungy ovens, this natural abrasive is also great for soaking up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or ink.

 

Cloth, not Paper: Think about trading paper towels for cloth rags (old tshirts, socks) that can be reused.  

For more great ideas to help your home and family be healthy and planet-friendly, visit  Sierra Club Illinois Chapter.

Terrorist Trial

I never saw the War on Terror as an actual military action between countries. Rather, it is using our military to fight civil disobedience that has stretched to the most violent end of the spectrum, insidiously sneaking over borders and around the world.

This must be a civil trial. Terrorists attack civilians, and civilians have every right to face the accused, and the accused must be forced to look into the faces of those families they've devastated.

And...the world is watching. This is a "do unto others" opportunity. We know how we want Americans treated in foreign courts. Let's show the world that we will treat foreigners in our nation with the same justice we require Americans be treated overseas. We must show that no matter how heinous the crime, American justice works.

I support President Obama's decision to have the 9/11 terrorists tried in New York City.

The Ostrich and the Phoenix went to sea...

Like the Phoenix, everyone has repeated "burning days," and repeated new birth from ashes. The best lesson learned is that life is messy, exhilarating, painful, sweet, frustrating, frightening, amazing - and just as it should be. Too often, people try to avoid the burning days that come with being human, and the more they try to avoid, the slower and more tortuous the burn when it finally comes. Like deferred maintenance in buildings and cars. Or not paying down debt when we have the chance. Avoiding pain is nothing more than a lost opportunity.

We are meant to grow and stretch and push boundaries. We are meant to make mistakes, learn, and try to do better next time. The Ostrich, on the other hand, (and we've all known head-in-the-sanders), tries to deny human nature, afraid of the burn, unable to comprehend the joy of the new life on the other side. A true Phoenix chooses the burn, walks into the fire with her head held high, ready to be cleansed of mistakes and impurities, and walks out a new woman, forged with balance and strength and wisdom, ready to begin her next cycle with a firm step and an accomplished sparkle in her eyes.

The New York State Legislature is about to embark on some rough seas of serious decision-making regarding the State's $3.1 billion budget gap. The Governor has been clear - this time is going to be even more painful than we can possible imagine.  Cuts will be made, and each cut dollar will impact someone...many someones. It takes a Phoenix - someone who has known pain, has made tough decisions for better or worse, who understands consequences and has been there personally - it takes that cleansed-through-fire person's point of view in order to chart the State's pea-green boat toward thoughtful solutions and safe harbors.

Something to think about.