Globe-trotting author Stephanie Elizondo Griest knows exactly how much small differences can make a huge impact on people’s lives.
Speaking to a small crowd of students and the public in the Union last night, Griest told of her experiences in traveling to 21 countries in four years.
Griest has written more than 200 articles for prominent publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press and USA Weekend, and she is working on her second book. She spoke about her first book, “Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing and Havana,” and encouraged students to accomplish their goals – despite the social setbacks of being a minority.
“Minorities have sometimes insurmountable obstacles to overcome, but it can be done,” Griest said.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Griest has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and post-soviet and east european studies from the University of Texas-Austin.
While an undergrad at UT, she was able to secure the Henry Luce Scholarship, which takes 15 to 20 students to spend a year in Asia for one year.
While in Beijing Griest worked as a foreign correspondent, but in reality she said her job was working with communist propaganda.
Griest denounced the One Child Policy and concluded that it leads to many problems in China – like suicide and bride buying. She also concluded that she was chosen for the scholarship because she is Latina.
By applying non-stop for scholarships, Griest has visited 24 countries in total and has yet to pay for one of those trips, she has always gotten aid.
“We can make a profound difference in the world by speaking the English language, it’s unbelievable,” Griest said.
An activist, she has traveled to Cuba despite the trade embargo and experienced musical and dance culture while she was in Havana. She witnessed young Russian children sleeping on the streets of Moscow and became overwhelmed and immediately wanted to get involved.
One of her favorite moments was when she taught a young Russian boy how to tie his shoes. According to Griest, it gave the boy a sense of pride and accomplishment – which is exactly what the Russian children need.
“There is an extremely large amount of qualitative difference you can make in the world. Doing small meaningful things,” Griest said.
The event was the first co-sponsored by the Latino Student Union and the Ethnic Cultural Arts Program.
LSU’s President Hector Hernandez noticed Griest speaking at Ohio State University and invited her to speak at BG as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.
According to Hernandez, LSU has three main events, a luncheon which attracts faculty and staff, Latinopalooza which attracts the community and a speaker who attracts students.
“I think Stephanie is one of the most perfect people we could have brought in to give that background on what is ethnic studies,” Hernandez said.
