Between Worlds: Dr. Albert Hernández on The American Dream from his Cuban-American Perspective

In this episode, Amanda Henderson interviews Dr. Albert Hernández - a Cuban-American academic with a unique perspective on the American Dream. Dr. Hernández discusses the challenges faced by those who exist in-between cultures, feeling a lack of belonging to either. 

He shares historical perspectives on the experience of immigration to the U.S, particularly from Cuba, and explores how global political conflicts can drive individuals to relocate, seeking safety and better futures for their offspring. The episode illuminates the significance of personal and political narratives in shaping our understanding of the past and our vision for the future. The discussions range from colonial legacies, racialization, to the long road to societal change.

Lastly, it presents a reflective poem reading by Mariela Saavedra Carquin – I swear There Was a River. In Maps You Can’t Make, Mariella Saavedra Carquin confronts hard truths in this powerful debut collection, pushing through layered complexities of immigration, race, and identity to find a way forward.

00:00 Introduction: The Hyphenated Existence

00:33 Understanding the American Dream

02:04 Historical Context: Cuba and the United States

03:25 Interview with Dr. Albert Hernández: A Cuban-American Perspective

05:55 The Cuban Revolution and Its Impact

07:50 The Hyphenated Existence: A Personal Journey

09:01 The Struggle of Belonging: Between Cuban and American

10:19 The Influence of Personal History on Academic Interests

13:09 Generational Differences in Immigrant Experiences

20:22 The Complexity of Identity and the American Dream

23:39 The Role of History in Shaping Our Present and Future

30:56 The Long Haul Commitment to Change

33:12 Poetry Reading: I Swear There Was a River by Mariella Saavedra Carquin 

35:58 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Guest Bios

Dr. Albert Hernández joined the Iliff faculty in 2001. He teaches courses in the history of Christianity from Medieval to Early Modern times with additional expertise in the history of the ancient Hellenistic-Roman period. His research and teaching areas include the history of mysticism and pneumatology; Muslim and Christian relations beginning with the Crusades; religious diversity in medieval Iberia and the Spanish Empire; and the history of medicine and pandemics. Hernández led the faculty design team that created the Authentic Engagement Program™ focusing his contribution on human flourishing and the philosophy of Happiness.

Poet Mariella Saavedra Carquin is a graduate of Middlebury College, holds an EdM and an MA in psychological counseling from Columbia University, and recently earned an MA from Middlebury's Bread Loaf School of English. She is a licensed mental health counselor who has practiced in clinical, higher education, and middle school settings and published in academic journals on the psychological impact of microaggressions experienced by undocumented immigrant youth. Born in Peru and raised in Miami, she currently lives in Colorado.

Want to Learn More?

Cuban Missile Crisis - https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis

Mariella Saavedra Carquin, the poet who read one of her poems at the end of this episode. Her recently published book of poems confronts hard truths in this powerful debut collection, pushing through layered complexities of immigration, race, and identity to find a way forward.   https://www.juneroadpress.com/maps-you-cant-make

Want to Take Action? 

Learn about immigration rights and how to take action in Colorado: https://www.aclu-co.org/en/campaigns/immigrants-rights

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