Hispanic Astronaut Jose M. Hernandez
A few weeks ago, astronaut Jose Hernandez visited Chicago. One of the stops on his day-long tour was Benito Juarez Community Academy, where my dad is a teacher. Hernandez gave a speech describing his road to NASA and the magic of being in outer space that according to my father, “sent chills up the spines” of his high school students.
Although Hernandez was born in California, he split his time between Mexico and the U.S. and didn’t learn English until he was 12. In an interview with Hoy newspaper, Hernandez said after long days of working alongside his family in the fields, his father would ask his children if they were tired. When they would reply that they were, his father would tell them, “This is your future if you don’t study.”
After his speech, my dad approached Hernandez and asked him for a couple of autographs, one for my brother, who just graduated from college, and one for my sons. The autographed picture for my boys of Hernandez in full astronaut gear reads “To Carlos and Elián, Reach for the Stars”
My entire family was thrilled to hear the story of Hernandez’ visit, especially three-year old Carlos who was fascinated by the idea that he too could one day grow up to be an astronaut. He was so taken by Hernandez that he walked around the house telling relatives that it was he – and not Hernandez – in the autographed picture.
Hispanic children need more heroes like Hernandez. They’re out there, but unfortunately they don’t seem to get the attention they deserve. Case in point: while Hernandez’ visit was widely covered by local Hispanic media (he made the front page of Hoy and the rounds at radio and TV stations) general market media did not take notice.
Hispanic children need to know that their boundaries are limitless and that they too can be anything they want to be. Companies that want to reach Hispanic communities should invest in the community – not because it’s good for Hispanics but because it’s good for everybody, including the companies making the investments.
The Motorola Foundation recently chose Benito Juarez to participate in a company-sponsored program that encourages science, technology, engineering and math education. I found out when my dad told me with pride that his school was being singled out by Motorola, which is a client of Fleishman-Hillard.
Studies show that consumers react positively to corporate social responsibility programs, with 56 percent reporting that they purchased a brand specifically because they admired the company’s socially responsible efforts.
With Hispanic college graduation rates still below the national average, and with Hispanics underrepresented in the sciences, it’s great to see heroes like Hernandez, and corporate America, encouraging Hispanic youth to reach for the stars.
Who was your hero when you were a kid? Was there someone who inspired you to take the path you’re on today? What corporate social responsibility programs do you admire? Please let us know by commenting below.
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I completely agree. Our Hispanic heroes do not get the attention they deserve so our community can aspire to greater heights. I saw a documentary during the Latino Film Festival comparing Hispanic with American super heroes. They concluded that Hispanics did not have heroes; but since the American Director did not recognize what really makes a hero in Latin America, the comparison was naïve. For us, heroes are regular people like our aunts and uncles who have secured a good future for our family and community. These are our heroes, like Jose Hernandez who after many attempts finally became an astronaut–a hero story about perseverance. This is a great topic for discussion…
Thanks!