Healing the Wounds of Miseducation Through Ethnic Studies (Poster 1)

• In Event: Invited Division G Vice Presidential Poster Session

Abstract

Using portraiture, a co-constructed form of qualitative inquiry, I explore how student-activist Ethnic Studies majors center shared learning and empathy in both coursework and community organizing. Through extensive interviews and observations of courses and student group meetings, the participants express how conventional schooling fosters divide and conquer, meaning they were taught to compete against each other by asserting their knowledge over others. Originally bringing this value into organizing, they then reframed their approaches after taking Ethnic Studies courses. To them, Ethnic Studies pedagogy emphasizes shared learning, allowing them to co-construct humanizing educational spaces and build cross-racial coalitions for social justice.

Author

• Michael Ángel Rodríguez Vázquez, Mt. San Antonio College