Journey of a Puerto Rican Jíbaro
By Julio Vazquez
- Release Date: 2013-06-01
- Genre: U.S. History
Description
As a youth, Julio Vázquez was pulled from his quiet, green country home in the mountains of Puerto Rico and dropped in a snow-covered industrial neighborhood in Rochester, New York. New to the English language, he was incorrectly classified as a slow learner.
Vázquez fought through people’s misconceptions to receive a master’s degree in education and become an entrepreneur and community leader. His roles as a Rochester city school teacher, CEO of the Ibero-American Action League Inc. and Commissioner of the Department of Community Development for the City of Rochester have given him unique insights.
Journey of a Puerto Rican Jíbaro goes beyond the public accomplishments to reveal the personal and cultural conflicts that shape the American immigrant experience.