Posted on 12/21/2006 8:23:23 AM PST by Graybeard58
Herman Badillo knows something about assimilation, education and success. Orphaned in his native Puerto Rico when he was 11, he moved in with his aunt in the Bronx. Despite grinding poverty and discrimination, he still got a good education that culminated in a law degree and then launched a 50-year career in public service that included stints as Bronx borough president, congressman, deputy mayor, chief mayoral adviser and chancellor of the City University of New York.
He has seen the evolution of Hispanics in America and is unimpressed to put it mildly. In his autobiography, "One Nation, One Standard," he blames the plight of so many Hispanics on the devaluation of education and lack of personal responsibility: "Hispanics have simply failed to recognize the overriding importance of education. Hispanics have failed to assume responsibility for their children's welfare. ... Hispanic parents rarely get involved with their children's schools. They seldom attend parent-teacher conferences, ensure that children do their homework or inspire their children to dream of attending college."
Mr. Badillo writes that many Spanish-speaking immigrants are hard workers, but only through assimilation and education will their children enjoy the successes of other immigrant groups. Yet the trend among Hispanics is toward government dependence, "self-segregation" and victimhood, which only impede their quest for the American dream. "(S)ome Hispanics behave as if they actually were a persecuted ethnic group, with a permanently diminished capacity for success," he wrote. They would be better off embracing the American ideal of "one nation, one standard."
The race hustlers already are condemning Mr. Badillo for his disloyalty to Hispanics. But his words ring true, hence the stir they have caused, and it is refreshing to hear someone so prominent speak the unvarnished truth. His candor reminds Americans of comedian Bill Cosby, who got in trouble with the poverty pimps after he blamed behavior and lifestyle choices for the economic, academic and social problems that plague blacks today.
As Messrs. Badillo and Cosby well know, the formula for success -- getting educated, starting a career, getting married and then starting a family -- is time-tested and non-discriminatory. People who follow the formula out of sequence imperil themselves and their progeny.
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this ping list, let me know.
I'd like to see more of these success stories highlighted.
My fellow Puerto Rican is right...
And where did they learn this?
As an educator (no flames please) I have seen Hispanic parents go from supporting education to never being seen or heard from. This attitude has carried over to the student. The secondary students are more interested in their Rights than an education.
FINALLY! Someone has spoke the awful truth. Question is......will they listen?
"The secondary students are more interested in their Rights than an education."
Well, isn't that true for everyone now?
According to my mom, it was 15 years ago. Never mind now.
Actually, and this is literally true, the ESL books I am required to teach from define "rights" as "something everyone should have." That's it. Something everyone should have. It's on the Unit test for Highpoint Level C, advanced.
ping
Wow. That's just weird. And wacko.
And uneducated! Sounds like a dimwit answer as Hannity would get on "man on the street" or Leno's "Jaywalking".
The other minorities hate the oriental minorities because they give the lie to their...lies.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12202006/news/regionalnews/latinos_give_badillo_an_f_regionalnews_carl_campanile.htm
LATINOS GIVE BADILLO AN 'F'
By CARL CAMPANILE
Slideshow image
HERMAN BADILLO
"Traitor" on school issue.
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December 20, 2006 -- Herman Badillo's stinging claim that many Hispanic parents don't value education ignited a backlash yesterday from Latinos, including one official who accused him of turning "blanquito" - Spanish for a white traitor.
The firestorm surrounds statements the Democrat-turned-Republican Bronx pol makes in his new book: "One Nation, One Standard."
"Education is not a high priority in the Hispanic community," Badillo, the first Puerto Rican congressman, writes. The book was excerpted in The Post yesterday.
Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión said he was "saddened" by Badillo's statements.
"Making gross generalizations about any group of people is irresponsible. Clearly, this is pandering to sell books," Carrión said.
"That is not true!" fumed Bronx Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, a mother of seven and former parent activist.
"Badillo is an insult to the Hispanic community. I am ashamed of him . . . He's blanquito."
Evelyn Rodriguez, a fellow Puerto Rican who has a college-bound daughter, said of Badillo, "He sold his soul to be where he is. How dare he generalize us all."
But others said Badillo showed courage. "I never felt victimized or had a crutch mentality," said Eliot Lugo, an accountant. "I am very embarrassed by the Puerto Ricans who have become 'civil rights' victims and wait for handouts."
Hard work in itself is terribly overrated. In itself, it doesn't guarantee much. I know lots of folks who work very had at dead-end jobs, for terrible bosses, who are going nowhere fast.
The truth is depending on the work, you can work 1/2 as hard and get results comparable to working at 100%. I work less now and make more money than ever before.
I supported this man over Bloomberg for a reason in 2001.
Work smarter, not harder. ;-)
It's true!
He'd be a better role model if he hadn't spent his life on the government tit.
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