Lecture Notes: Creation of Ethnic Studies Department
Background Context
- Previous Lectures Recap: Discussed intellectual origins of ethnic studies from pre-colonial era to the late 60s and 70s.
- Intellectual Contributions: Indigenous, Mexican, Latin American intellectuals contributed to the knowledge about self, world systems, culture, and problems.
Social Context of the 60s and 70s
- Social Unrest: A period marked by rapid change and upheaval.
- Free Speech Movement: Centered in Berkeley, connected to anti-war protests against the Vietnam War.
- Movements of the Era:
- Anti-war
- Women's liberation
- Counterculture (Hippie culture)
- Civil Rights, including the LGBTQ movement
- Chicano, Black Power, Native American, Asian American movements
Creation of Ethnic Studies
- Initial Movements: Each ethnic group sought their own academic departments.
- Purpose: Wanted a space to study their history, culture, and contributions, countering narratives that deemed them as "defective" or problematic.
- Key Locations: San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Los Angeles, with notable movements in New York and Texas.
Chicano Movement
- Identity Redefinition: Mexican-Americans began embracing a non-white identity, rejecting assimilation.
- Cultural Pride: Focused on indigenous ancestry and working-class identity.
- Key Figures: Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta - labor organizers.
- Terminology: Chicano, initially derogatory, redefined as a source of pride.
- Ruben Salazar's definition: Chicano as a Mexican-American with a non-Anglo self-image.
Ethnic Studies as an Academic Discipline
- Interdisciplinary Nature: Combines social sciences and humanities.
- Transdisciplinary Goals: Aims to decolonize, create new theories, and adapt methodologies from existing disciplines.
- Community Connection: Education aimed at maintaining cultural and community ties.
- Specific Methodologies and Concepts:
- Intersectionality
- Nepantla
- Mestiza consciousness
- Cultura cura
Chicano Studies and Pedagogy
- Culturally Relevant Teaching: Emphasizes anti-racism, community affirmation, and transformational pedagogy.
- Critical and Decolonizing Pedagogy: Aimed at fostering community solidarity and self-love.
Final Thoughts
- Impact of Education: Ethnic studies fosters pride and equips students with critical thinking skills.
- Community Success: Encourages students to contribute positively to their community's success.
Takeaways: Ethnic studies emerged from a need for self-defined, culturally rooted academic disciplines amidst social change. It remains a dynamic, interdisciplinary field focused on community engagement and decolonization. This lecture underscores the importance of ethnic studies in understanding and embracing cultural identities and histories.