Immigration reform, cultural assimilation, and bilingual education are among our nation's most cntentious issues. Those topics will come to life at CSUB as Richard Rodriguez, a son of Mexican immigrants, shares his personal experiences in a lecture about Hispanics in America.
"If polls are right, immigration is one of the top three issues on voter's minds. Mr. Rodriguez's visit represents a unique opportunity to learn and to participate in the dialogue," said Christopher Meyers, executive director for the Kegley Institute. "He is a thoughtful observer who doesn't just fall back on the expected or the knee-jerk comment. For example, Rodriguez is skeptical of bilingual education and affirmative action."
Raised in Sacramento, Rodriguez attended Stanford University and spent two years in a religious studies program at columbia University. he then studied English Renaissance literature at the Warburg Institure in London and was a doctoral condidate at the University of California, Berkeley.
Most Americans recognize Rodriguez from his television appearances on PBS. For more than 10 years he has appeared as an essayist on "The News Hour with JimLehrer." His televised essays on American life were honored in 1997 with a George Peabody Award.
"Mr. Rodriguez is one of hte most highly regarded essayists and novelists in the country. He's won all the top writing awards," Meyers added. "The Kegley Lecture has featured some amazing speakers over the years and Rodriguez is among our most highly anticipated. From all accounts, he will change people's lives."
