Raul Cuero Talk on Creativity

Raul Cuero on Creativity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugtaO85T_Y&feature=youtu.be

There were so many lessons to be learned from Mr. Cuero's life in general, as well as how he navigated prejudice in his career as a Microbiologist, and all over wonderfully intelligent person. 

With civil unrest going on around the United States due to the murder of Mr. George Floyd by police, I cannot help but think of how many other young people of color could have had Mr. Cuero's achievements too if it were not for the perpetuated racism in American society as a whole. From allowing less POC in academic institutions so that they can further their education, to then even less POC teaching in those very institutions. It is a cycle that must end, there need to be thousands of more stories like Mr. Cuero's. We have the ability to be inclusive, to make more room for others. It is so severely needed in the US. Think of how advanced we could be as a society if only we afforded every person the same opportunities, no matter their skin color. I can apply this concepts to my life by demanding change in academic institutions as well as industry opportunities. Demanding laws that make more room for others that do not look like me. 

I think some main takeaways I got from his story was that if you are determined to further your personal education, then you have to let go of people's perception of you. You must have "External Consciousness" by developing a personal perception of yourself and who you truly are. It is easy to fall into a pattern of choices that you make, but that you are not actually making, as you are relying on other people's expectation of you, rather than your own. You can save yourself, you can transcend perception. The ideal of "breaking other people's expectation" is a phenomenal choice to keep in mind as you go through life. I know I will remember this as try and transcend my own personal perception. 

Mr. Cuero also spoke of being aware of your surroundings, and more specifically, drawing creativity from nature. Because everything comes from nature, it is natural to find inspiration there. I really was impacted when he spoke about how important it is to enjoy the creative process, enjoy any process for that matter, and communicate! The very best ideas emerge from others around you. I think as a student, it is very important to remember this when facing an academic problem. Your peers are your friends, collaboration is key! 

Learning from every single experience is very important to your path. When Mr. Cuero spoke about how there was no one person that most impacted, that made me remember to love the people that love you and the people that don't. He held his supporters and critics on the same level of importances because all of those voices are apart of your journey and process. 

Mr. Cuero's spoke of so many things that will stay with me, especially in my personal path through academia. To be exposed to knowledge, and to learn not just for the sake of a job, but to learn to make a difference.