Last in Lincoln lecture series interviews U.S. naturalized citizen Dr. Marcelo Neito on “Responsible Citizenship”

 

[December 07, 2018] 

The last of the 'Live like Lincoln' lecture series for this year was held at the Johnston Center on Lincoln College Campus, October 25, 2018. The Lincoln Heritage Museum presented the theme of “Responsible Citizenship” and encouraged all to embrace the idea of live like Lincoln, learn like Lincoln.

Director of Lincoln Heritage Museum (LHM) Anne Moseley welcomed guest speaker Dr. Marcelo Neito, PhD to the last lecture in a series based on Abraham Lincoln’s character. Lincoln College was chartered in 1865, the year of A. Lincoln’s last surviving birthday. “Our duty is to continue to share the life, legacy and character of Lincoln and the reason why this college was created in his name,” said Moseley.

The evening's focus was on a different character trait of Lincoln, 'citizenship,' and how it can help influence us in the struggles of today. Moseley said, “Citizenship within our community can be helped by us voting and participating locally by volunteering. We encourage more people to be part of the solution and not a part of the problem or even complain about the problem because the only way to make our states and communities better is by being an active participant.”

Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development Director Ron Keller moderated the question and answer session with Dr. Marcelo Neito, PhD in chemistry. Dr. Neito is a U.S. naturalized citizen from Cordoba, Argentina. He went through the process of applying for United States Citizenship while pursuing his postdoctoral studies at the School of Pharmacy at Ole Miss (University of Mississippi). There, he lived with his wife and two little boys in the year 2000.

In April of 2014, now a professor at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, he received his citizenship. Dr. Neito offered a unique perspective on what it means to be a United States citizen and how it has affected him and his family’s lives.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag …” All immigrants must be sworn in by taking an oath to the American Flag and their new country.

Ron Keller asked, “Having undergone immigration from Argentina, that is a hot bed of political issues; every party has their perspective on it. Should citizenship be made easier?”

Dr. Neito: “Citizenship varies. It is hard to get residency or a valid visa for work. The process of becoming a citizen could be harder. The citizen test is very simple. There is a big issue with visa and illegal immigration.

"From my experience, I found that universities have an easier way to get citizenship for scholars. I didn’t have any problems. It is most difficult to handle those crossing the border. If an immigrant works, they qualify to apply for citizenship.

"There should be a concerted effort to get citizenship with the employer and employee for the immigrant to stay.”

“…of the United States of America…”

Lynn Spellman, Lincoln Heritage Museum volunteer asked, “Are your sons automatically citizens?”

Dr. M Neito: “Yes. If you are under age 18 you are a citizen.”

“…and to the Republic for which it stands,…”

Ron Keller asked, “You have been in the United States and you have been a citizen now for 17 years. How do you see yourself? As an American or Argentinean?”

Dr. Neito: “Both. It is hard for me to re-adapt. I already re-adapted here. You see good and bad in both places. When me and my family go back to our country, we see all the problems.”

“…one nation under God,…”

Spellman, asked, “Could you vote in Argentina now?”

Dr. Neito: “Only on the day of the elections. I am required to vote. In Argentina there is no choice in whether you want to vote or not vote. It is required.”

“…indivisible…”

Moseley asked about the election processes. "What are differences between the two countries? Considering voter turnout, and citizens thinking it is worthwhile to vote, do you see the benefits in voting?”

Dr. Neito: “I have mixed feelings about Argentina’s requirement to vote. Everyone should go and vote and not be forced—they should do it anyway. Before I moved to this country, I didn’t pay attention to voting. I am here now and I see the opportunity.

"One difference is I don’t like the campaigns. I don’t like what is happening in the United States where opponents throw dirt at each other over things that are not important. They don’t discuss the real issues. There are too many parties.”

“…with liberty…”

LC President David Gerlach, PhD asked, “Before coming to Lincoln College, I was Vice President of a state school and at we decided to take the citizen’s test they have online. I asked everybody (in his office) to take it. I was mortified! I got 100, my assistant got a 95, and my chief financial officer got a 95.

"My younger staff really struggled and this was very disappointing to me and I personally think everybody should have to take it. I find the ignorance in our society remarkable. People have strong opinions but know very little about the Citizen’s test.”

Dr. Neito: “I haven’t heard of anyone failing the test. They will ask questions until you get a certain number of correct questions. But I have worked with students of illiteracy and noticed that the U.S. doesn’t have an official language…Puerto Rico is part of America and Spanish is the official language. Why should we require everyone to know English? Most students agree. From taking a course on immigration issues, I consider myself an Independent; not Republican or Democrat. We all should be helping each other. We are one family.”

Dr. Neito’s passion is on education and making sure we keep the underserved and at-risk children in school as well as advocating for higher education for all.

In this area he has worked within Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, (SIUE), organizing workshops targeting Hispanics and applied for grants to help with the promotion and development of health specializations for bilingual students, in particular Hispanics. He noticed that Hispanics have the lowest education and the parents don’t help to teach them or send them to college. He said there are a lot of scholarships at his pharmacy school for Hispanics but not many take the opportunity and apply for them. He started working with his church and the community and with people that he knows to make them aware that they are open and you cannot use money as an excuse not to go to school.

Ron Keller asked, “What is it, from your perspective you most appreciate about the United States? What should we as natural born citizens pay more attention to?”

Dr. Neito: “I think what I appreciate here is that the United States is a well organized country but we don’t care. When we have isolated incidents, we focus too much on the negative. I have seen 10 or more good things. The society here is also a different culture than that of Europe and Latin America and we learn from their mistakes. We are forced to say things are ‘good’ when it is probably not ok or not true.”

“…and justice for all.”

President Garlach asked, “Have you had any racism problems?”

Dr. Neito: “Never. I asked my kids if they had any problems with it and they had no problem.”

President Garlach asked, “Have you travelled?”

Dr. Neito: “Yes, to Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas.”

President Garlach asked, “How much Spanish should a professional know? Is one semester enough?”

Dr. Neito: “My school of Pharmacy teaches one year. We have had a lot of students learning Spanish. There is a lot of American immigration to South America and Buenos Aires, but mostly Europeans immigrate to Venezuela and Bolivia when their country has a crisis.”

Ron Keller said, “Let us dare to do our duty.” He asked why do you think Abraham Lincoln is a model citizen and what should we do more?

Dr. Neito: “President Lincoln was not afraid. He was very active and he passionate. He served what is right.

"Be active and participate and do our duty. There are many ways to participate and help do the right thing. Go vote and be active.”

As a chemist, Dr. Marcelo Neito’s areas of interest and expertise are synthetic Medicinal Chemistry, natural products and analytical chemistry. He keeps an active research lab with graduate students in the Masters in Pharmaceutical Sciences programs as well as undergraduate students from SIUE. He actively participates in many committees and service projects within the School of Pharmacy and the university. Presently Dr. Neito is an active member of the St. Boniface Catholic church through which he works in communities. He also participates in a Hispanic committee of the Springfield Dioceses.

LHM Director Anne Moseley said there is more to just being a citizen, that is to be ‘thankful’ for his/her freedom. You need to get out and use those freedoms that people have sacrificed for.” She encourages people to be the solution and make our states better by being an active participant. If immigrant Dr. Neito can now choose to vote, so can you!

[Catherine Carkulis photos by Jan Youngquist]

Editors note:
This lecture took place just before the November election. The next opportunity to vote is the Consolidated Election on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

For volunteering opportunities contact a government leader or office, agencies, schools, organizations, churches, senior living places, animal shelters. Just open your eyes to what is around you that needs doing to make others lives better or our green spaces more beautiful.