What We Are Reading Today: LatinoLand

Photo/Supplied
Short Url
Updated 02 March 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: LatinoLand

Author: Marie Arana

“LatinoLand,” by Marie Arana, explores the diverse politics and historical roots of Hispanic Americans.
It is a compelling and insightful exploration into the diverse tapestry of Latino culture in the US.
Arana, with her profound understanding and personal connection to the Latino experience, crafts a narrative that is both illuminative and deeply resonant.
The book is not just a mere compilation of statistics and historical facts; it’s a vibrant journey through the lives, struggles, and triumphs of the Latino community.
Arana draws on her own experience as the daughter of an American mother and Peruvian father who came to the US at age nine, straddling two worlds, as many Latinos do.
She delves into the socio-political challenges facing Latino Americans, from immigration policies to economic disparities, without losing sight of the individual stories that illuminate these issues.
Arana’s work shines in its celebration of the cultural contributions of Latino Americans to the fabric of American society.
The book “unabashedly celebrates Latino resilience and character and shows us why we must understand the fastest-growing minority in America,” said a review on Goodreads.com.

 


What We Are Reading Today: Can College Level the Playing Field? 

Updated 46 sec ago
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: Can College Level the Playing Field? 

Authors: Sandy Baum and Michael McPherson

We often think that a college degree will open doors to opportunity regardless of one’s background or upbringing. In this eye-opening book, two of today’s leading economists argue that higher education alone cannot overcome the lasting effects of inequality that continue to plague us, and offer sensible solutions for building a more just and equitable society.

Sandy Baum and Michael McPherson document the starkly different educational and social environments in which children of different races and economic backgrounds grow up, and explain why social equity requires sustained efforts to provide the broadest possible access to high-quality early childhood and K–12 education. 

They dismiss panaceas like eliminating college tuition and replacing the classroom experience with online education.