Presented as part of Return Week at Mountain View College, this presentation focuses on the word Diversity (a college core value and part of the MyIntent Project bracelets). It speaks to a personal journey and the impact we have on the world around us.
2. Is it enough to say we value or appreciate
diversity? What does that look like in action
and how do we embody diversity in our
everyday lives? This session explores the
seriousness, silliness, and interesting things
that occur when we intentionally set out to
change the world (or at least attempt to do so).
4. § MVC Core Values
§ Academic Excellence
§ Student Success
§ Integrity
§ Transparency
§ Community
§ Diversity
§ My Word = Diversity
§ Value, ideal
§ Strive towards
§ Hope for this country
5. § Diversity is hard to define - means so much to so many
§ Legal:
Equal Opportunity Employment and affirmative action
§ Business:
Variety of backgrounds (age, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.), experience,
education, expertise (focus on productivity)
§ Society:
Cultural diversity as quality and respect for different cultures
9. • Born in Linares, Nuevo
Leon, Mexico
• Named Esteban
Roberto Sosa-Rommel
• Immigrated to United
States at age of 3
10. • Raised by
grandparents
• Alvaretta Rommel was
school teacher
• Warren Rommel was
pastor/farmer
“Children should be seen
and not heard.”
“You don’t work…you
don’t eat.”
11. • Worked on 10-acre
farm in WA
• Confidence through
hard work
“Give me a child for the
first seven years of his life
and I will give you the
man.”
13. § Twists and turns help define who you are, what you believe, and who you will
become
§ Such moments stick with us our entire lives
§ Prepare us to overcome any obstacle…or forever scar us
14. • Born Esteban Roberto
Sosa-Rommel, but
enrolled in school as
Steve Sosa
• Don’t recall a single
Spanish word spoken
in household
15. • Grew up with one
brother and four
sisters in WA
• What a difference a
last name makes
• Sosa-Rommel vs. Sosa
vs. Rommel
16. • Family nickname of
“Chocolate Drop”
• “Do you prefer
Hispanic, Mexican, or
Latino?”
17. • Royal City,WA
• “Mexicans vs
Americans”
• “Steve’s not as bad as
the other Mexicans.”
18. • I am judged for
something I have no
control over
• I am not equal
• I should hide a part of
myself in order to be
accepted
• Mexicans should be
ashamed
• Steve is welcome,
Esteban is not
19. • As a child I felt
powerless
• I didn’t know how to
cope with others
• These feelings stayed
with me for a very long
time
23. • Multicultural
relationship
• Travel abroad has
widened my view of
the world
• Language and culture
may separate humans,
but authentic
connections can
connect people across
the globe
24. • Incredible aspirations
for my child
• Instill sense of pride
and confidence in
every aspect of his life
• Prepare him to face
any obstacle
“Give me a child for the
first seven years of his life
and I will give you the
man.”
25. • “I believe the leader
of the free world
should be white.”
• “I’m not racist.”
28. • Not everyone values
diversity in the same
way I do
• Focusing on the issue
alienates people
• Convincing people is
not the right approach
• My family will always
be my family
• Effect education has
on human nature
(Allegory of the Cave)
29. • Showcase diversity
• Establish authentic
human connections
• Broaden my son’s view
of the world
30. • Stevescrazyvideos
• Dedicated to sharing
and showcasing silly
little moments
• Originally intended
for grandparents
• Public
41. • Stay with the
grandparents in Japan
and Mexico during
summer
• Complete immersion
in sights, sounds,
tastes, and culture
• Creates points of
reference related to
people, places, and
experiences
42. • Seek out opportunities
to participate in
culture
• Travel more
• Pen pals
• Learn languages
43. • Proud of his name:
Hiroshi Pedro Sosa-
Nakata
• Identifies as Mexican,
Japanese, and English
• Proud of language and
connection it
establishes
• Wants to watch movies
such as the Book of
Life and Coco
44. • Proud of unique
identity and being
different
• Unwavering
confidence reinforced
by experiences
• Feels loved and a part
of family across this
pale blue dot
47. § Why is that word important to you?
§ What is one thing you do to honor
and celebrate that word?
§ How do you include others in your
word?