Week Four at the Witte: Reflection [Estrella Hernandez]
It’s been quite difficult for me to write this blog post. My time as a Young Ambassador was so rich, and so full of amazing moments, that it was hard to summarize. Distance from my experience, both in terms of time and space, have given me the opportunity to reflect on why I found it so impactful. Being a Young Ambassador helped me to develop my professional skills, explore my identity as a Mexican-American, and revitalized my passion for civic engagement.
I was able to finish my main project, a “Witte Walk” centered around San Antonio’s Tricentennial Exhibition. The sections I found most difficult to complete weren’t necessarily the oldest ones. I really enjoyed getting to go back in history, before my city was even founded, to understand the confluence of events that led to its creation. I found myself delving into the history of indigenous tribes, Spanish missionaries, and the strategic importance of San Antonio. I thought that the subsequent frontier era just as compelling. Learning about how the convergence of American, indigenous, and Mexican cultures led to the formation of a Tejano identity was particularly interesting. Researching the ways early Tejanos defined their nationality, blended languages, and and created traditions offered me insight into the modern Latinx identity. However, I found writing about the more recent sections of the exhibit to be more difficult. San Antonio experienced unprecedented growth between the 19th and 21st centuries, and rose to national importance. It was hard to select which industries or historical events I would highlight. I chose to make this component of the project one in which visitors could tell their own stories. I decided to cover key historical points, and then leave the conversation open for discussion - asking guests how they and their families had experienced various events and eras.
During my last week of work, I found myself often getting emotional while sitting at my desk. It took a while for me to understand exactly what I was feeling. I realized that my time as a Young Ambassador was only possible through the help and guidance of countless other people. I felt an immense sense of gratitude for everyone who had made my internship possible. I feel immense gratitude for the Smithsonian Latino Center offering me the opportunity to learn more about myself, where I came from, and to have my first experience in a professional workplace. I’m so grateful for the Witte Museum, and all of the people who took time to teach me about the work they did. They included me in their daily duties, meetings, and taught me about all of the planning and labor that goes into running a museum. I had the opportunity to learn about artifact curation and animal care and curriculum planning and marketing all in the same place. I also felt a deep sense of gratitude for my family, and for the generations of people who had taught me the value of getting an education and giving back to the communities that have supported me.
I am incredibly grateful that the Young Ambassadors Program has given me the chance to engage with my community through service, and begin to define my own identity. I feel that it is important to mention that the Young Ambassadors program wouldn’t exist without the advocacy and passion of the Smithsonian Latino Center. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for creating such a vibrant community for Latinx youth. It’s taken years of careful planning and work - from before the first Young Ambassador’s Program during the Summer of 2005 until the ongoing projects of today - but it’s created a place where everyone is welcome to discover about the vibrant cultures of Latin America and its diaspora.
Washington Week alone required immense coordination between YAP alumni, the staff of the Smithsonian Latino Center, and community leaders. The alumni were incredible near-peer mentors. They stayed with us through late-night brainstorming sessions, facilitated workshops, managed elevator malfunctions, and offered us advice about higher education. Additionally, so many established Latinx professionals took the time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise with us. They work in a variety of fields - business, science, art, and technology, among others. They came together to share the path of their lives, careers, and identity. When Washington Week began, I was amazed at the willingness of so many people to travel from across the country to share their stories with us. But as we spent more time together, I realized what exactly had motivated them to return; the Smithsonian Latino Center has created a space in which it is possible for Latinx from all walks of life to come together.
Having a program like YAP is essential for Latinx youth. It’s a place we can go at a critical junction in our life to engage with questions about our identity, what we’re passionate about, and how we want to change our communities. The Smithsonian Latino Center offers us a supportive environment to have these kinds of discussions. One in which we are united by a common culture and wealth of shared experiences. All of our mentors recognize the potential that YAP has to impact the rest of our lives. They have been in the exact same position we have, faced the same challenges, asked the same questions. They succeeded despite the obstacles that they faced, and recognized the importance of having a community to support them through it. They committed to empowering Latinx youth by sharing their expertise and experiences. That spirit of giving has made the Young Ambassadors Program into a family. The YAP familia is a community that invites its members to constantly uplift each other.
This spirit extended to the community institutions we were partnered with. During the duration of my internship at the Witte, I felt that my mentors were willing to help me develop ideas and learn. They listened sincerely to me and answered all the questions I raised. They helped me constructively critique the materials I created, iteration after iteration, refining them into effective educational materials. It felt incredibly freeing to know that I had such a incredible community willing to teach me. I didn’t feel afraid to ask questions that probably seemed elementary to them. I gained a better understanding of the diverse skill set needed to run a museum. I learned how to navigate meetings and project proposals. I loved having a working environment that was so enthusiastic about teaching me. My mentors nurtured my desire to learn throughout the duration of my internship. They would recommend books or articles about the subjects I was researching, connect me to museum staff who specialized in that field, and helped me achieve my goals. Outside of the work I created, my mentors were a wellspring of advice. I learned about how they had chosen their career path and the work they did. They let me ask them questions about college and choosing a career path to follow. I feel as though everyone I met at the Witte Museum was passionate about sharing knowledge with the people around them. Being a part of this community, even temporarily, was incredible. I feel so, so fortunate to have been placed there.
Being in such a welcoming environment also offered me the chance for introspection. I was able to better understand myself and my motivations. I think before my experience as a Young Ambassador, I didn’t know how to identify myself. I’m a third-generation Mexican-American, but I’ve always struggled with feeling like I am not Latinx enough. I would often be one of the few Latinx students in my classes growing up. I didn’t have a place to express my love for my culture outside of home. When I got older, I wanted to discover more about this part of myself. But I felt as though I faced an insurmountable obstacle - my inability to speak Spanish. I thought had denied myself some part of my own identity, permanently made myself “less” of a Latina. I desperately wanted to share the beauty and diversity of my culture. But I wasn’t sure if I was qualified to teach others about it, or speak up on certain issues affecting our community. Things changed for me this summer. My time as a Young Ambassador taught me the importance of expressing who I am, as I am. I realized that my behaviors do not make me more or less authentic. No outside force could compel me to feel detached from my culture. I realized that taking pride in the person I am and my heritage is a way for me to honor everyone who has come before me. Being proud of where I’m from, identifying myself as a Latina, does something to fight against the bias and erasure that generations of us have faced.
The Latinx experience is not one set narrative. It is a collection of people from around the world, who speak different languages, but are united through a shared cultural background. Our stories have been intertwined together by centuries of history. All of our experiences are equally important in defining our identity. I hope that we can collectively explore our history, and have meaningful conversation about how we each represent ourselves. In defining who we are, we gain the ability to better understand our roots in the past, and our goals in the future. I feel fortunate to have had such an affirming experience exploring my own identity. Most importantly, the Smithsonian Latino Center has reminded of the importance of civic engagement. There are so many ways to reach out to the people around you and contribute to your community. As the Latinx population throughout the United States grows, it is imperative for us to make our voices heard. We have been historically denied the chance to create our own destiny. But now, we have a chance to change the system we live in, and make it more equitable for all. The methods in which we choose to get involved will differ. Be it running for office, volunteering at a local charity, or simply reaching out to the people around you, I hope that we are all able to become more active members of our communities. Our goals and plans for achieving change will inevitably differ. But by getting involved in these processes, we can begin to open dialogue. I believe that we can bring often-ignored issues to light and advocate for people who feel powerless. I hope that we are able to share this same process of discovery and affirmation with other Latinx youth. One day, I want be able to share my story again. Not as a young adult coming to terms with who I am, but a mentor sharing my experiences and encouraging others.
This is the end of the first chapter. But I’m hoping that our story will have many more ahead.
Goodbye for now,
Estrella Hernandez
 |
| My mentors at the Witte were so amazing! They wrote me a very sweet note, and gave me some awesome parting gifts. |
I was able to finish my main project, a “Witte Walk” centered around San Antonio’s Tricentennial Exhibition. The sections I found most difficult to complete weren’t necessarily the oldest ones. I really enjoyed getting to go back in history, before my city was even founded, to understand the confluence of events that led to its creation. I found myself delving into the history of indigenous tribes, Spanish missionaries, and the strategic importance of San Antonio. I thought that the subsequent frontier era just as compelling. Learning about how the convergence of American, indigenous, and Mexican cultures led to the formation of a Tejano identity was particularly interesting. Researching the ways early Tejanos defined their nationality, blended languages, and and created traditions offered me insight into the modern Latinx identity. However, I found writing about the more recent sections of the exhibit to be more difficult. San Antonio experienced unprecedented growth between the 19th and 21st centuries, and rose to national importance. It was hard to select which industries or historical events I would highlight. I chose to make this component of the project one in which visitors could tell their own stories. I decided to cover key historical points, and then leave the conversation open for discussion - asking guests how they and their families had experienced various events and eras.
During my last week of work, I found myself often getting emotional while sitting at my desk. It took a while for me to understand exactly what I was feeling. I realized that my time as a Young Ambassador was only possible through the help and guidance of countless other people. I felt an immense sense of gratitude for everyone who had made my internship possible. I feel immense gratitude for the Smithsonian Latino Center offering me the opportunity to learn more about myself, where I came from, and to have my first experience in a professional workplace. I’m so grateful for the Witte Museum, and all of the people who took time to teach me about the work they did. They included me in their daily duties, meetings, and taught me about all of the planning and labor that goes into running a museum. I had the opportunity to learn about artifact curation and animal care and curriculum planning and marketing all in the same place. I also felt a deep sense of gratitude for my family, and for the generations of people who had taught me the value of getting an education and giving back to the communities that have supported me.
I am incredibly grateful that the Young Ambassadors Program has given me the chance to engage with my community through service, and begin to define my own identity. I feel that it is important to mention that the Young Ambassadors program wouldn’t exist without the advocacy and passion of the Smithsonian Latino Center. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for creating such a vibrant community for Latinx youth. It’s taken years of careful planning and work - from before the first Young Ambassador’s Program during the Summer of 2005 until the ongoing projects of today - but it’s created a place where everyone is welcome to discover about the vibrant cultures of Latin America and its diaspora.
Washington Week alone required immense coordination between YAP alumni, the staff of the Smithsonian Latino Center, and community leaders. The alumni were incredible near-peer mentors. They stayed with us through late-night brainstorming sessions, facilitated workshops, managed elevator malfunctions, and offered us advice about higher education. Additionally, so many established Latinx professionals took the time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise with us. They work in a variety of fields - business, science, art, and technology, among others. They came together to share the path of their lives, careers, and identity. When Washington Week began, I was amazed at the willingness of so many people to travel from across the country to share their stories with us. But as we spent more time together, I realized what exactly had motivated them to return; the Smithsonian Latino Center has created a space in which it is possible for Latinx from all walks of life to come together.
Having a program like YAP is essential for Latinx youth. It’s a place we can go at a critical junction in our life to engage with questions about our identity, what we’re passionate about, and how we want to change our communities. The Smithsonian Latino Center offers us a supportive environment to have these kinds of discussions. One in which we are united by a common culture and wealth of shared experiences. All of our mentors recognize the potential that YAP has to impact the rest of our lives. They have been in the exact same position we have, faced the same challenges, asked the same questions. They succeeded despite the obstacles that they faced, and recognized the importance of having a community to support them through it. They committed to empowering Latinx youth by sharing their expertise and experiences. That spirit of giving has made the Young Ambassadors Program into a family. The YAP familia is a community that invites its members to constantly uplift each other.
This spirit extended to the community institutions we were partnered with. During the duration of my internship at the Witte, I felt that my mentors were willing to help me develop ideas and learn. They listened sincerely to me and answered all the questions I raised. They helped me constructively critique the materials I created, iteration after iteration, refining them into effective educational materials. It felt incredibly freeing to know that I had such a incredible community willing to teach me. I didn’t feel afraid to ask questions that probably seemed elementary to them. I gained a better understanding of the diverse skill set needed to run a museum. I learned how to navigate meetings and project proposals. I loved having a working environment that was so enthusiastic about teaching me. My mentors nurtured my desire to learn throughout the duration of my internship. They would recommend books or articles about the subjects I was researching, connect me to museum staff who specialized in that field, and helped me achieve my goals. Outside of the work I created, my mentors were a wellspring of advice. I learned about how they had chosen their career path and the work they did. They let me ask them questions about college and choosing a career path to follow. I feel as though everyone I met at the Witte Museum was passionate about sharing knowledge with the people around them. Being a part of this community, even temporarily, was incredible. I feel so, so fortunate to have been placed there.
Being in such a welcoming environment also offered me the chance for introspection. I was able to better understand myself and my motivations. I think before my experience as a Young Ambassador, I didn’t know how to identify myself. I’m a third-generation Mexican-American, but I’ve always struggled with feeling like I am not Latinx enough. I would often be one of the few Latinx students in my classes growing up. I didn’t have a place to express my love for my culture outside of home. When I got older, I wanted to discover more about this part of myself. But I felt as though I faced an insurmountable obstacle - my inability to speak Spanish. I thought had denied myself some part of my own identity, permanently made myself “less” of a Latina. I desperately wanted to share the beauty and diversity of my culture. But I wasn’t sure if I was qualified to teach others about it, or speak up on certain issues affecting our community. Things changed for me this summer. My time as a Young Ambassador taught me the importance of expressing who I am, as I am. I realized that my behaviors do not make me more or less authentic. No outside force could compel me to feel detached from my culture. I realized that taking pride in the person I am and my heritage is a way for me to honor everyone who has come before me. Being proud of where I’m from, identifying myself as a Latina, does something to fight against the bias and erasure that generations of us have faced.
The Latinx experience is not one set narrative. It is a collection of people from around the world, who speak different languages, but are united through a shared cultural background. Our stories have been intertwined together by centuries of history. All of our experiences are equally important in defining our identity. I hope that we can collectively explore our history, and have meaningful conversation about how we each represent ourselves. In defining who we are, we gain the ability to better understand our roots in the past, and our goals in the future. I feel fortunate to have had such an affirming experience exploring my own identity. Most importantly, the Smithsonian Latino Center has reminded of the importance of civic engagement. There are so many ways to reach out to the people around you and contribute to your community. As the Latinx population throughout the United States grows, it is imperative for us to make our voices heard. We have been historically denied the chance to create our own destiny. But now, we have a chance to change the system we live in, and make it more equitable for all. The methods in which we choose to get involved will differ. Be it running for office, volunteering at a local charity, or simply reaching out to the people around you, I hope that we are all able to become more active members of our communities. Our goals and plans for achieving change will inevitably differ. But by getting involved in these processes, we can begin to open dialogue. I believe that we can bring often-ignored issues to light and advocate for people who feel powerless. I hope that we are able to share this same process of discovery and affirmation with other Latinx youth. One day, I want be able to share my story again. Not as a young adult coming to terms with who I am, but a mentor sharing my experiences and encouraging others.
 |
| This is the last photo from my time at the Witte Museum. I took it as I walked out of the main building on my final day. It was hard to say goodbye to such an amazing place, but I hope to return in the future! |
This is the end of the first chapter. But I’m hoping that our story will have many more ahead.
Goodbye for now,
Estrella Hernandez
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