Though diversity is one of the nation's greatest aspects, it is also one of the nation's greatest challenges, a speaker said Wednesday night at Cardinal Hall.
"(But) the strength of our diversity must outweigh any negativity that may come out of it," Ingrid Duran said. "We cannot stand divided."
Duran, the CEO and president of the Washington D.C.-based Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, was invited to speak at Ball State's Latino Awareness Month.
Duran focused on the educational and societal goals Latinos must continue to pursue as they become the largest ethnic minority group in the country. She said 42.6 million Latinos live in the United States today, with the Latino population increasing 1.7 million every year.
"We are experiencing Hispanic America, and it's taking form in this country," Duran said. "(We) must embrace the new call for leadership."
She said it is unfortunate that 87 percent of Latinos today do not have a Bachelor's degree. With such a statistic, emphasizing education in the Latino community is imperative, she said.
"What you do today and the information you gain in pursuit of higher education impact more than just you - it impacts those who came before you, and it will impact those who come after you," Duran said.
Duran said she is glad being part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute has allowed her to meet many diligent Latino students, particularly females, who are making a difference in the United States.
"It makes me proud to see a growing number of Latinas in today's colleges and universities," Duran said. "We are taking away the worst stereotypes and are forming new ones."
Fourth-year student Kim Pratt, secretary of Latino Student Union, said she was glad she attended Duran's speech Wednesday. Pratt said she is confident students walked away with a renewed appreciation of the goals people of any race can achieve in modern America.
"(Duran) is someone of such high stature," Pratt said. "And she shows that no matter what background you come from, you can accomplish a lot of things."
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