“"Knowledge is power and the more you know the harder it is to fool you.”
I am a true believer that sharing our stories deeply transforms us, changes the narrative of our community, and heals the world. The #Shareyourstory series is dedicated to highlighting diverse stories of Latinx individuals making a significant difference in their community. Learn more about Eduardo's story below!
Pronouns:he/him/his
Work Title (s): Attorney/Lawyer
Favorite Quote: “And we gotta prove to the Mexicans how Mexican we are, and we gotta prove to the Americans how American we are, we gotta be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time. It’s exhausting. Damn. Nobody knows how tough it is to be a Mexican American.” Edward James Olmos from the movie Selena.
Who is Eduardo? I was born and raised in an all Black and Latino working class community in Pasadena, California. I am the proud son of immigrant parents who worked hard to provide for me and my siblings. At an early age, my mother told me I would be a lawyer when I grew up because “por que tenía que rezongar para todo.” I didn’t believe my mother because I didn’t think Mexicans could be lawyers because I didn’t know any Mexican lawyers or professionals. That all changed when I saw the movie “Mi Familia” with a younger J. Lo and Jimmy Schmidt. There was a character named Memo who went to UCLA Law and became a bad ass abogado. Then I had the privilege of being a kid during the O.J. Simpson trial and I got to see Johnnie Cochran in action. Man, I thought he was the coolest ever. A non-white lawyer kicking ass and taking names. I told my mom that one day I would be the Mexican Johnnie Cochran but instead of defending people accused of crimes I would defend them against deportation.
Did you attend college? If so, how did that impact your life? I attended the University of California Santa Barbara from 2002-2006. I graduated with my B.A. in History and a minor in Education Studies with an emphasis in Applied Psychology. College changed my life in many ways, but the most important thing I achieved in college was meeting and falling in love with my wife. She has helped me grow and pushed me to improve myself so much more than any college degree every would.
What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?The biggest challenge I had to over come, and I am not ashamed to admit that I still struggle with this from time to time, is believing that I am good enough and smart enough to be a lawyer. Believing that I belong. As a Latino male I grew up being told by the police and sometimes by teachers that I wouldn’t amount to anything or that I would end up in jail like my cousins. I had to work hard to break this narrative that was written for me. Sometimes I do doubt myself, but my lovely wife Marisol is their to remind me that I belong in this profession and I am needed in this profession, especially by our community.
What is the one thing you are working on daily? Being aware of my privilege as a Cisgender, fair skinned Latino male who is college educated with an advance degree (JD) and finding the courage to speak out against my privilege especially when it comes at the expense of others. I also try to read as much as I can every day. Knowledge is power and the more you know the harder it is to fool you.
One piece of advice you wish someone would have given you during college or professional career? Don’t be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone. Growth only happens when your outside of your comfort zone.
What is your favorite kind of coffee? I roast my own coffee beans because I like the variety of beans I can buy on eBay and the different roast and blends I can make. With that said, I like a medium roast Colombian supremo from valle de cauca or a dark roast with beans from Coatepec, Veracruz. I take my coffee black and strong. I am kind of a coffee snob.
En Solidaridad,
Araceli
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