1. What do you feel you learned in the module and the TBW course you took?

What I learned from this week's TBW course applied terms and theories to experiences I’ve had
my entire life. The biggest lesson learned was the true meaning of labels Latinos, Hispanics,
Chicanos, and Latinx.  I believe there is confusion about the correct definition of those labels
within our community. I’ve been criticized for using one label versus another. In the dialogue
with the experts in module 2.1 (SGA), Dr. Lisa Magaña said it perfectly, “it’s disingenuous to
have just one term or say that it’s wrong to use a different term because it’s important, but it's
also very personal.”  My thoughts after that video were, if Latinos are confused within their
community, it must be almost impossible for anyone outside our community to understand our
culture and race.  Perfect example, my husband is Caucasian. One evening I had a group of my
girlfriends over who were all Latinas.  Our skin colors were of all different shades.  Some spoke
with no accent, to very heavy accents.  Some spoke English only, Spanglish, or only Spanish.  He
was baffled by what he saw and heard.  I tried to explain by giving each a label, such as Mexican,
Chicana, Latina, Mexican American, Boricua, etc.  All it did was confuse him even more. I’ve
been called Latina, Hispanic, and Chicana more times than I can count.  After this course and
reflecting on the Venn diagram in Chapter 3 (Nahavandi, pg 121), I am all these labels, and that
feels good. They reflect my journey and history.   

2. How does what you learned in TBW information relate, reinforce, or even add to the other
course materials such as the textbook, other readings, videos, or other learning materials in
your Canvas module? 

The information from the TEDtalks in Module 5 learning materials (OGL 350) created a plan of
action for the lessons learned in TBW202 (SGA).  Understanding and talking about diversity is
wonderful, but we should be focusing on equity.  That was the aha moment for me this week.  In
the last company I worked for, the sales team was paid the same salary.  At first glance, you
would say pay equality is excellent.  But this example was more like the study of the monkeys
Paloma Medina talked about (TEDxPortland, 3:31).  I brought in 80% of the sales every month,
whereas my counterpart brought in 20%. Diversity had been addressed, but equality was grossly
off balance.  I live in Los Angeles, and diversity is all over the place.  Now we need to do
something about equity.   
 
 
3. How can you apply the knowledge for this model to your life and career (or future career)?  

I spent decades working for Latin American companies or representing Latin American
products.  One of my jobs was to develop retail space for the Latino community for the products
they wanted.  That meant convincing major US retailers to convert real estate within their stores
for these products.  The first step was to educate middle America on the size of this fast-growing
population and their spending habits. Not so easy as retailers perceived all Latinos as immigrants
and invisible. Video 4 and 5 with the experts in module 2.1 (SGA) reinforced my knowledge of
this community's size and socioeconomic status and the strength of their buying power and
political influence.  Looking back, the companies that employed me did so because of colorism. I
am light-skinned, light-eyed, and speak with no accent. It was easier for me to get through the
door to start the conversation versus my boss, who was Mexican, short, dark, and barely
understandable because of his accent.  I didn’t feel discriminated or offended, somewhat
perplexed because it seemed slipshod.  A lot has changed in three decades, yet so much is the
same.  Now I am on the other side of management.  Tomorrow I have a new employee starting,
 a middle-aged Guatemalan immigrant.   We hired him because he was the most eager of all the
candidates.  He had a long and steady work history in the US and had gained his citizenship. 
During the interviewing process, the management team said numerous times, “he will be a hard
worker, and nothing more.”  He had my vote of all the candidates because I saw that he was a
hard and dedicated worker.  But I believe that he can be more.  He has demonstrated that he
can be resourceful and accomplish complex tasks such as coming to this country, learning
English, and getting citizenship.  I’m an example that you can grow and excel beyond anyone’s
expectations with the right opportunity.  Though he was hired with blanket discrimination, my
goal will be to give him opportunities no one else has and show the team he is more.  

 
 
References: 
 
Starbucks Global Academy (2022), TBW500 2.1 Experts Dialogue on Class Bias
https://courses.starbucksglobalacademy.com/courses/course-v1:ASU+TBW202+2019/courseware/
a00119c4bef3431a8509544bdc500474/40fe65be723549ce97e0153bd617b50a/  Accessed February 7,
2022
 
TEDxPortland, Lets stop talking about diversity and start working toward equity (nd)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deYUUfak08Y&t=878s  Accessed February 10, 2022
 
Nahavandi, A. (2022). The cultural mindset: Managing people across cultures. SAGE.