Ethnic Studies: What is the Value for our Democracy?

ALF Silicon Valley is partnering with San José State University for this panel and dialogue to bring students, educators, and community leaders together to explore how ethnic studies impact education and employment, community, and democracy.

This event is part of SJSU’s Transforming Communities Conference and will have a special focus on student perspectives.

JOIN US TO:

• Learn about ethnic studies to be better-informed students, educators, employers, and active “citizens” of an inclusive democracy
• Practice dialogue across differences to engage productively with others and contribute to meaningful ethnic studies at SJSU and in your local schools, colleges, universities, workplaces, and communities
• Identify actions students and community leaders can take to transform communities into more democratic and socially harmonious spaces

FEATURING

• San Jose State University Students
• Leon Beauchman (ALF Class XX), External Affairs Consultant, AT&T; Associate Marriage and Family Therapist; President, Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators; Former Board Member Santa Clara County Office of Education
• Dr. Travis Boyce, Chair, African American Studies, Director, Ethnic Studies Collaborative, SJSU
• Dr. Hien Do (ALF Class XXXVI), Professor, Sociology, Interdisciplinary Social Science & Asian American Studies, SJSU
• Dr. Marcos Pizarro, Associate Dean, College of Education, Professor, Chicanx Studies, SJSU
• Toni Vanwinkle (ALF Class XXXIX), Senior Director, Digital Workplace Experience, Adobe

BACKGROUND:

Ethnic studies has become a lightning rod in an environment of political polarization and racial reckoning. People in communities across the region and country have spoken out in support and opposition in school board meetings and the news media.

While ethnic studies is newer in the K-12 system, there is a long history of ethnic studies at the college level. Still, some worry that recent state mandates could water down ethnic studies in Cal State universities. What can we learn from experiences at SJSU and in our community to support meaningful ethnic studies to strengthen education and democracy?