Blog 2: Raul Cuero Interview about Creativity

For my Art and Technology class, I had to watch Raul Cuero’s interview about creativity. Now, I can apply his advice towards living a “smart” lifestyle to my own life. During his youth, Raul Cuero was judged for his ethnicity, social, and economical background. Unlike his family, he learned how to read and write. He learned how to read through picking up books at nearby ship docks. He also became more knowledgeable through observing roaches, instead of playing with toys most other children would have. At the time, he was not aware of prejudice, but once he received a basketball scholarship, he instantly became aware of the issue. During the most judgmental times in his life, he decided to focus on improving his intelligence.

After his athletic career, he was given a scholarship to pursue his intellectual dreams in the United States of America. One of the last things he heard before he traveled to America was that his only attribute in life was his athleticism. He knew that his life had a bigger purpose than having just one attribute, so hearing that comment pushed him to follow his dreams. Although he ended up pursuing his goals, the people’s judgments around him made it difficult at times. They believed he was not capable of pursuing his intelligence. In the interview, he explains that you need "Universal Consciousness," to provide a wider range of possibilities for yourself. Since Raul entertained himself through nature as a child, he learned how to be creative naturally. He noticed how the roaches would walk in pairs, and how they would interact with one another. He became aware of animals and other things in nature, and that allowed him to become knowledgeable of topics most other children are not aware of. Overall, Raul believes that creativity is based on how you perceive and invest yourself in your surroundings.

As a young adult, Raul acknowledged that intense hard work and creativity would create a successful life. Raul believes that you need intensity to be successful. He believes that individuals today are fearful about rejection and failure, and instead give up before finding success. Anything with hard work will eventually end positively, even if it isn’t an initial. Most children today are so intensely structured, that they are less likely to observe nature. Raul says children are “limited” to how they think. Today, children are more likely to sit in front of a screen, rather than surround themselves with nature.

Although Raul was raised in a low-income family, he has been able to live his life structured in a lifestyle he finds successful. He has become a successful Microbiologist and has shown others that you can pursue your dreams, even if you are judged for your ethnicity or economical background. In everyday life, I can apply his concepts of a “smart life” by observing more of nature and continuing to find intensity within my dreams. Although he suffered from major prejudice during his youth, he proved that anyone can overcome hateful comments, and prove them wrong.