Richard Rodriguez: Books and Learning

Author Richard Rodriguez speaks on the value of books and learning in this event hosted by the South Chula Vista Public Library. Series: "Great American Writers" [7/1999] [Humanities] [Show ID: 4231]

Category:

Education

Tags:

• books
• learning
• library
• writer
• Richard
• Rodriguez

[katohoag]

"I am not a minority. But I used to be." All of his points about race are that he seeks to be raceless. This is in some ways what all Americans seek, to be a full person. But to be a full person is also to be part of a community. It is funny, bittersweet, that he sought to escape his minority identity but to be a full person he must keep presenting it.

[jstsmile4fun]

racist??? ha. not at alll. i dont even understand how you got this idea

[LoveMeTwoTimes09]

@katohoag All his points about race are not him seeking to be raceless, but he emphasizes that we as Americans cannot be limited to a single race. America is a melting is it not? Also, your appeal to a full person is using a ridiculous absolute, "This is in some ways what ALL Americans seek." Bullshit. I do not seek to be a full person. Its quite ironic, because he did not seek to 'escape' but actually became a minority by escaping; The masses are uneducated making educated people Minorities.

[TheCrazybarnacles]

this is my hw, lol

[islamazon1]

I think his ideas are weird.

[writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, UCtelevision.

[Ohseeya30]

Apply Richard Rodriguez’s idea relating to language and assimilation, as discussed in “Aria: Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood,” to one of the following videos. These videos can also be viewed on youtube.com.

[Ohseeya30]

Teacher is making us write a paper on this video...

[gearofduty2012]

@Tech2theNician i guess we can all coexist together in peace, hopefully

[Tech2theNician]

@gearofduty2012 I think that is the point that he is trying to make. If we can all realize that we are all each other, there would not have to be a struggle. There would not have to be segregation or hatred. We have all been enslaved at one point or another. We have all been at war at one point or another, etc. If people would collaboratively come to the understanding that we DO share a lot in common, there would NOT have to be a struggle. Lets not add insult to injury through plain ignorance.

[Tech2theNician]

WOW! I thought this video was going to drag on and I was going to be disinterested, as I am writing a paper over this Richard Rodriguez, but as I listened more and more, I really wish I was able to be in this room when he made this speech, but I am happy that at least I was able to hear via youtube. PHENOMENAL WRITER, AMAZING SPEAKER! My respect and understanding of Rodriguez has tripled. I can continue writing peacefully :)

[909chuck]

What I believe he's saying is that, whether you believe Biblically or biologically, we are one People with different cultural ethnicities. It's fine to celebrate differences as long as they don't limit our thinking and opportunities. Libraries have a variety of books on all subjects on shelves standing next to each other just as we humans should do. Fair opportunity for each to prosper. I differ with him in a number of areas, but his idea we're divided by class and income rings true.