Mi Voz, Mi Vida: Latino College Students Tell Their Life Stories

by Andrew Garrod (Editor), Robert Kilkenny (Editor), Christina Gómez (Editor)

Amid the flurry of debates about immigration, poverty, and education in the United States, the stories in Mi Voz, Mi Vida allow us to reflect on how young people who might be most affected by the results of these debates actually navigate through American society. The fifteen Latino college students who tell their stories in this book come from a variety of socioeconomic, regional, and family backgrounds―they are young men and women of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central American, and South American descent. Their insights are both balanced and frank, blending personal, anecdotal, political, and cultural viewpoints. Their engaging stories detail the students' personal struggles with issues such as identity and biculturalism, family dynamics, religion, poverty, stereotypes, and the value of education. Throughout, they provide insights into issues of racial identity in contemporary America among a minority population that is very much in the news. This book gives educators, students, and their families a clear view of the experience of Latino students adapting to a challenging educational environment and a cultural context―Dartmouth College―often very different from their childhood ones.

Genres: Sociology

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Andrew Garrod is Professor Emeritus of Education at Dartmouth College. He is coeditor of I Am Where I Come Frome: Native American College Students and Graduates Tell Their Life Stories; Growing Up Muslim: Muslim College Students in America Tell Their Life Stories, First Person, First Peoples: Native American College Graduates Tell Their Life Stories, Balancing Two Worlds: Asian American College Students Tell Their Life Stories, Mi Voz, Mi Vida: Latino College Students Tell Their Life Stories, and Mixed: Multiracial College Students Tell Their Life Stories.

Reviews

[Jenifer Popolizio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cultural heritage and experiences are deeply personal and unique to each individual, despite the fact that American culture has often grouped cultural groups into the same categories. Although cultural groups share similar qualities, such as their racial backgrounds and ancestral roots, it is important to consider the implications of stereotyping large groups together and how American influences have shaped their personal histories. Once such cultural group that is often grouped together and misunderstood in terms of personal and cultural experiences are Latinos. Latinos have strong cultural roots in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Central and South American areas. However, each Latino culture comes with their own economic, political, and social experiences and upbringings that define their class, race, and family ties. The unique experiences of the Latino culture are all tied together in the novel Mi Voz, Mi Vida: Latino College Students Tell Their Life Stories; a collection of personal histories of Ivy league Latino college students. Their stories weave tales of their struggles with racism, poverty, oppression, and self-identity as they navigate two distinct worlds: American culture and Latino heritage.

Although I had to read this for a college-level course, I really enjoyed the personalized stories woven with facts about Latino heritage and struggles! A great book for personal or educational purposes!

[Carrie Pritchett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book that marketed itself as the experience of the Latino/a college student. I hoped to learn more about my predominantly Latino student population. There are two reasons I didn't. 1. I teach community college. Reading about Ivy League students, no matter their background, gives me nothing with which to compare my students. 2. The stories of these students are not unique to Latinos. These issues are seen in every ethnic group. I was required to read this for a college wide reading program, and was excited to learn about this population of students. I came away with nothing.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every student has a different story to tell about their trials and tribulations. I think its important for professors to understand that not every student had the same path to college. Ultimately the book challenges our idea of privilege and identity.