M. Padilla is Professor of Sociology in the Department of Latin American and Puerto Rican Studies at Lehman College, City University of New York. He is the author of several books, including The Gang as an American Enterprise (1992).

"The sensitivity shown by Professor Felix M. Padilla to Andres and to the diversity of student populations is precisely what is needed in the academy. A close reading of his text enables educators to learn what it means to be in search of a liberating educaton." -- James G. Spady, Philadelphia New Observer"In this critical reflection on the current state of American higher education, Felix Padilla offers hope for students who have too long been excluded from the traditional discourse. It is essential reading for any of us in higher education who are willing to run the risks of truly hearing the voices of today's wonderfully diverse students." -- Jim Fraser, Northeastern University

• CHAPTER ONE That's Why I Teach: It's My Duty To Be Critical CHAPTER TWO Despierta Boricua, Defiende lo Tuyo: The Cultural Roots of My Intellectual Empowerment CHAPTER THREE Ecstacy and Fear: Working Together To Create Our Own Curriculum CHAPTER FOUR What Do We Know as Latino/a Students Anyway? CHAPTER FIVE We Know a Lot: Hey, Let's Kick that Knowledge CHAPTER SIX What's All This Theoretical Stuff You're Giving Us? We Want Something Practical CONCLUSION There Can Be No Ending- We Are Just Beginning! REFERENCES

M. Padilla is Professor of Sociology in the Department of Latin American and Puerto Rican Studies at Lehman College, City University of New York. He is the author of several books, including The Gang as an American Enterprise (1992).

"The sensitivity shown by Professor Felix M. Padilla to Andres and to the diversity of student populations is precisely what is needed in the academy. A close reading of his text enables educators to learn what it means to be in search of a liberating educaton." -- James G. Spady, Philadelphia New Observer"In this critical reflection on the current state of American higher education, Felix Padilla offers hope for students who have too long been excluded from the traditional discourse. It is essential reading for any of us in higher education who are willing to run the risks of truly hearing the voices of today's wonderfully diverse students." -- Jim Fraser, Northeastern University

• CHAPTER ONE That's Why I Teach: It's My Duty To Be Critical CHAPTER TWO Despierta Boricua, Defiende lo Tuyo: The Cultural Roots of My Intellectual Empowerment CHAPTER THREE Ecstacy and Fear: Working Together To Create Our Own Curriculum CHAPTER FOUR What Do We Know as Latino/a Students Anyway? CHAPTER FIVE We Know a Lot: Hey, Let's Kick that Knowledge CHAPTER SIX What's All This Theoretical Stuff You're Giving Us? We Want Something Practical CONCLUSION There Can Be No Ending- We Are Just Beginning! REFERENCES

M. Padilla is Professor of Sociology in the Department of Latin American and Puerto Rican Studies at Lehman College, City University of New York. He is the author of several books, including The Gang as an American Enterprise (1992).

"The sensitivity shown by Professor Felix M. Padilla to Andres and to the diversity of student populations is precisely what is needed in the academy. A close reading of his text enables educators to learn what it means to be in search of a liberating educaton." -- James G. Spady, Philadelphia New Observer"In this critical reflection on the current state of American higher education, Felix Padilla offers hope for students who have too long been excluded from the traditional discourse. It is essential reading for any of us in higher education who are willing to run the risks of truly hearing the voices of today's wonderfully diverse students." -- Jim Fraser, Northeastern University

• CHAPTER ONE That's Why I Teach: It's My Duty To Be Critical CHAPTER TWO Despierta Boricua, Defiende lo Tuyo: The Cultural Roots of My Intellectual Empowerment CHAPTER THREE Ecstacy and Fear: Working Together To Create Our Own Curriculum CHAPTER FOUR What Do We Know as Latino/a Students Anyway? CHAPTER FIVE We Know a Lot: Hey, Let's Kick that Knowledge CHAPTER SIX What's All This Theoretical Stuff You're Giving Us? We Want Something Practical CONCLUSION There Can Be No Ending- We Are Just Beginning! REFERENCES