As a Hispanic-Serving Institution<\/a> and a Bay Area community college, SJCC is thrilled to introduce this new offering. It has immense potential to positively shape the futures of many students. Especially those who are looking to seek justice, healing, and give back to their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we can tackle this question, let\u2019s review the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ethnic Studies was created in 1968 after the successful Third World Liberation strikes. These were largely led by student ethnic groups in San Francisco and Berkeley who wanted an education that went beyond the eurocentric view. They demanded to see their stories reflected in their curriculum, and they were successful. When Ethnic Studies was born, so was Chicanx\/Latinx Studies. Learn more about Ethnic Studies here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the past, some programs were called La Raza Studies but most have grown to be more inclusive, using Latina\/o Studies or Chicana\/o Studies for these specialized ethnic studies degrees. Through their curriculum all of these programs actively center the histories, cultures, and experiences of Mexican American and Latinx peoples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, let\u2019s explore why this is a critical precursor to any social justice efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I learned about my identity, my culture, and the true history of my people.\u201d<\/p>SJCC graduate, Joaquin Covarrubias<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n When you think of social justice, more public forms of activism like protests or landmark court cases probably come to mind. But most classrooms continue to function as colonized spaces \u2014 erasing important histories by excluding them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chicanx\/Latinx Studies changes that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChicanx Latinx Studies provides a historical context and critical racial lens to understand the contributions, diversity and experiences of Chicanx Latinx people that are rarely mentioned in schools,\u201d said Juan Gamboa, a long-time SJCC faculty member. It helps us \u201cto understand root causes of social inequality and injustice, while promoting democratic participation, leadership development and values of social justice, equity and inclusion.\u201d Chicanx\/Latinx Studies is essential to shed light on histories that have been intentionally omitted or revised to favor a eurocentric perspective. It is an opportunity to learn the truth \u2014 and to use it for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe get to learn how strong and advanced our ancestors were and how hard our people have fought to get us to where we are today,\u201d said SJCC student, Yajaira Hernandez. \u201cI learned about my identity, my culture, and the true history of my people,\u201d said SJCC graduate, Joaquin Covarrubias<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy Chicanx\/Latinx classes incorporated amazing guest speakers and empowered us through education. Starting with the land that once belonged to the Native Americans,\u201d said another student, Starr Lopez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have learned so much about my Mexican culture and background. I always have something new to share with my family, especially my mom who grew up in Mexico,\u201d said Yolanda Mercado Soto, who took a Mexican American History class at SJCC. \u201cHaving taken this course gives me pride about my culture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So many students were eager to share their experiences, and it is this pride that in turn inspires students to achieve their academic goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BIPOC students face more systemic obstacles to higher-education. So when they see the stories of their ancestors and of themselves in the classroom, it can lead to a powerful shift in engagement and motivation. This translates to increased academic and personal success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is important students take ownership of their education and taking Ethnic Studies courses is one of those outlets where students feel empowered,\u201d said Ethnic studies faculty, Andr\u00e9s Rodriguez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have witnessed many students experience greater positive self-identity, greater sense of pride, sense of belonging, a greater feeling that they matter and are capable of academic success and making a difference in their communities to help those who are marginalized,\u201d Gamboa said. \u201cThrough our reading, writing and critical thinking, students often talk about finding their voice after being silenced for so long in schools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n SJCC\u2019s students\u2019 transformational stories are a testament to that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI realized that it wasn\u2019t that I disliked studying American history that I couldn\u2019t retain it. It was because those courses didn\u2019t reflect my own culture and even negatively\/falsely depicted the impact my ancestors had on the world,\u201d Sof\u00eda Valenzuela said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter these lessons, I’ve been incredibly inspired to go to school and continue to fight for my family’s well-being. I believe these classes have influenced my perspective on school, my culture, and myself. Prior to these classes, I was less aware of my community and had little understanding of my Chicanx\/Latinx identity,\u201d said Yesenia Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was my social justice classes that gave me words such as discrimination, hidden curriculum, school-to-prison pipeline, barriers, and obstacles to explain certain behaviors of authority.\u201d Demi Yang said. \u201cBefore taking Chicanx Studies, I didn’t realize how much education can affect a person’s life from their early childhood and K-12 experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe education of African American, Chicano, and Asian studies are not just a part of history, but make up a part of us. I believe teaching ethnic studies helps shape our thoughts of ourselves and gives us hope in what we can do,\u201d said Mercado Soto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn order to help our community thrive, we must change the way others see us, and the way we see ourselves, and ethnic studies helps us do that,\u201d Yajaira Hernandez said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “In order to help our community thrive, we must change the way others see us, and the way we see ourselves, and ethnic studies helps us do that.”<\/p>SJCC student, Yajaira Hernandez<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Ethnic Studies is grounded in history and will play a critical role in reimagining our future. It was urgent before and it is urgent now. And as the birthplace of Ethnic Studies, California continues to lead the way<\/a> with key education reform<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe live in a diverse society and need to know the people in order to serve the people,\u201d Gamboa said. Today, “there is a heightened awareness and urgency to address racial justice with the Black Lives Matter movement and the demands for families and children in concentration camps along the U.S.-Mexico border. Latinx and Ethnic studies is just as valuable and needed as Science and Mathematics.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEthnic Studies and the Social Justice degrees serve as a reminder that these issues need to be at the center of how we understand the world around us,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez said. It \u201cwas created because of students demanding a more equitable educational experience and it is important we listen to student voices on how to better serve them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Significant research is demonstrating the community cultural wealth that exists in Chicanx Latinx and Indigenous communities which reveals the deep and rich culture, knowledge, values, and ways of being that are needed to address the great challenges of our times such as climate change,\u201d Gamboa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The United States is reconciling its complicated history now more than ever. And a more inclusive education system anchored in Ethnic Studies is essential to this restorative transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChicanx Latinx and Ethnic studies is just as valuable and needed as Science and Mathematics.\u201d<\/p>SJCC Ethnic Studies faculty, Juan Gamboa<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Since Chicanx\/Latinx Studies was born out of the Civil Rights era, it\u2019s not surprising that the Ethnic Studies Department and its students are extremely active members of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in Chicanx\/Latinx Studies at SJCC, you\u2019ll be able to choose from lots of student organizations that collaborate, grow, and heal together on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These connections and experiences, along with an Ethnic Studies education will surely inspire you to incorporate social justice principles into your professional life, no matter what your career is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the organizations that actively support and provide community for Chicanx\/Latinx students at San Jos\u00e9 City College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gamboa said that these groups often share a common goal: \u201cto advocate, celebrate and organize programs that center Chicanx and Latinx students and culture at a Hispanic Serving Institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chicanx\/Latinx faculty members collaborate with all these groups and more to invite honored guest speakers, community elders, and alumni to events where they can discuss important topics like Chicana Latina Women\u2019s Leadership, Afro-Latino History, the Chicana\/o Civil Rights Movement and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like all our Associate\u2019s Degrees for Transfer (AD-T), the Social Justice: Chicanx\/Latinx Studies Degree at SJCC is part of the Degree with A Guarantee Program<\/a>. So when you finish this degree, you\u2019re guaranteed a spot at a select number of California State Universities (CSUs). <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you choose to pursue a bachelor\u2019s or even a master\u2019s degree in Chicanx\/Latinx Studies, you\u2019re sure to find a fulfilling career in social justice. \u201cOne of the biggest misconceptions about degrees like Social Justice Studies and other Ethnic Studies degrees is that there are no careers outside of teaching (which isn\u2019t a bad career option!),\u201d Rodriguez said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmployers are looking for innovative, creative and critical thinkers to solve the challenges we face today as well as communicate and connect to the Chicanx Latinx community,\u201d Gamboa said. \u201cChicanx Latinx Studies trains students to think critically, creatively, to collaborate and work with a diverse population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Common career paths for students with social justice degrees include: law, counseling, social work, labor organizing, student services, non-profits, education, and journalism. And these are the professions where social justice can be an overt focus. No matter what your career, you can use your knowledge of Ethnic Studies to advocate for justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is also great to see students implement the concepts of Ethnic Studies into their respective fields of interest, whether that be social work, counseling, art, psychology. This is one of the many examples of how Ethnic Studies courses are truly interdisciplinary,\u201d Rodriguez said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEthnic Studies and the Social Justice degrees serve as a reminder that these issues need to be at the center of how we understand the world around us.\u201d<\/p>SJCC Ethnic Studies faculty, Andr\u00e9s Rodriguez<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n So if you\u2019re interested in social justice issues, learning your own history, or making a difference in your community, check out our Ethnic Studies Department<\/a> and the Associate Degree for Transfer in Social Justice: Chicanx\/Latinx Studies today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or explore our other Social Justice degrees in African American Studies<\/a> and Asian American Studies<\/a>, and learn why Ethnic Studies is more urgent than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is Chicanx\/Latinx Studies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Teaching Latinx History and Culture is Core to Social Justice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reshaping our curriculum through degrees like Chicanx\/Latinx Studies is crucial to social justice for all of these reasons and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDiscover the Untold History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chicanx\/Latinx Curriculum Inspires Latinx Students<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ethnic Studies is Key to Reimagining Our Future<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Chicanx\/Latinx Communities and Careers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get Involved with Latinx Community Groups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Degree with a Guarantee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Embrace Ethnic Studies with SJCC\u2019s Vibrant Latinx Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n