Those who do not know history are destined to repeat it
By Manny Hernandez
As the conclusion of the SHPE elections approach, my stress level increases. Some of my friends try to help me but they do not seem to understand my worries and to be honest, it’s been hard to express them. On the surface, they think that my worries are about losing the election and they try to convince me that IF I were to lose this election I would win.
I would win more time and freedom to do the many things I have been postponing in my life, such as spending more time with my friends and family, riding my motorcycle, more skiing, playing more racquetball, and reading the pile of books I have not had a chance to.
Their words have no effect on me. So what is it then? Digging deeper I was able to find the right words. It was like finally finding a long sought piece in a difficult puzzle.
I am very worried about the future of SHPE. I realized that even after all the 20 plus years of work that I have put in to tryto make it the great organization that it is, with all its faults, and all the great things that she offers us, there is a lot more to be done.
SHPE has done a lot for tens of thousands or people, but I know in my heart that it can do the same for hundreds of thousands of people. We can create the best Latino engineers and scientist in the nation. We ourselves can become the best engineers and scientists in the nation. But each of us cannot do it alone. We need SHPE. We need a stronger SHPE. We need her to be all that she can be.
My worry is that this bright future could be at risk.
Many of us have devoted a lifetime to this organization. We have carefully chosen the right strategies, the right governance models, the right problems to work on, and we have made the tough unpopular decisions, all with great results. Yet, a lot more remains to be done.
We have got momentum. Lots of changes are needed, yes but we cannot and should not go back to the dark days. I have lived through them and it would be a sin, even if unintentionally. While I respect the ideas and enthusiasm of my peer candidates, I am not convinced that they understand how easy it is to repeat the mistakes of our past.
Someone wise once said: “Those who do not know history are destined to repeat it”. I care too much for SHPE to see this happen.
Help me build the future of SHPE forward, not back.
