Posts from — September 2010

In the midst of an attempt by Arizona’s legislature and top education official to shut down ethnic-studies courses in the Tucson Unified School District, students here at Tucson High Magnet School are flocking to the courses this school year.

At least one class in two of the courses taught from a Mexican-American perspective at this school have more than 45 students, although the union contract calls for no more than 35 students in a class. School district officials say enrollment in Mexican-American studies in Tucson Unified’s 14 high schools has nearly doubled since last school year, from 781 to 1,400 students.

“Ethnic studies allow me to read and view and analyze different forms of literature and learning from another perspective,” said Krysta Diaz, 17, one of 386 students taking an ethnic-studies course at the school this year. The courses attract primarily students like Ms. Diaz, who are of Mexican-American heritage, but also draw in the occasional African-American, Anglo, or immigrant from a country other than Mexico.

Tucson High School students contest charges that ethnic-studies courses teach minority students that they are victims.
Some students say the controversy over ethnic studies caused them to want to check out the courses for themselves. But others say they signed up to learn more about social justice generally or Mexican-American culture and history specifically.

The political storm engulfing the debate over ethnic studies in Arizona’s high schools seems to be gaining a momentum like that of other recent high-profile debates in the Grand Canyon State, such as the one over its plans for enforcing federal immigration laws.

Story continues at Education week

Women’s Studies Assistant Professor Tanya Bakhru kicked off the Fall 2010 Speaker Series for the new Division of Interdisciplinary Race & Gender Studies (DIRGS) with her talk, “Contesting Globalization and How to Assert Meaningful Reproductive Rigfhts Discourse in an Era of Global Capitalism.”

The following is news coverage by the Spartan Daily.

By Ashley Finden for the Spartan Daily, 9/19/10

Thirteen people came to listen to an SJSU lecturer’s presentation on acknowledging reproduction and its issues as a worldly situation, not just in the United States.

”The main purpose of it is how do we ensure that women have both the power to make the decisions they want to make about their bodies and then the resources to carry out those decisions,” Tanya Bakhru said.
Bakhru is an assistant professor of social science and women’s studies at SJSU.

She held the lecture last Thursday afternoon in the Cultural Heritage Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

Bakhru said it isn’t just about abortions or contraception, but about if a woman has children, how is she sure she would be able to care for them in the way she would want to. [Read more →]

We had Professor Rue directing a play in Santa Cruz (The Rabbit Hole), and now we have a former WOMS student appearing in a burlesque/cabaret show, The Street, at the Pacific Cultural Center!  The amazing Rachelle Campillo writes:

Dear Friends and Family,
I will be appearing in THE STREET a cabaret/burlesque style show with a live 7 piece band, fun costumes and dancing.  The show will be at the Pacific Cultural Center at 1307 Seabright Ave (at Broadway) Santa Cruz , CA 95062.  Shows will be Saturdays September 25th, October 2nd, and October 9th with a 6:30 AND 9:00pm performance each night.

The regular ticket price is $19.00 which includes complimentary beverages and dessert during intermission.  Our producer is offering the cast and crew the ability to offer family and friends a special rate of $12.00 per person.  You can get this special rate by going online @ brownpapertickets.com or by contacting 800.838.3006 using the special discount code “Fox” for the $12.00 rate and click show additional prices.  You can also purchase tickets (cash only) 30 minutes prior to opening with a copy of this letter and get the discount price, however we are likely to sell out and therefore cannot guarantee there will be an available seat.  This rate is extended to your friends and family that you bring to the performance as well.  For more information you can facebook ArtAvant, email artavantlive@yahoo.com or call Fox Whole Productions @ 831.662.3691.  We look forward to playing with you!!!

Love,
Rachelle Campillo
Assistant Director

This is a helpful discussion from Rachel Maddow of the recent surge of anti-choice women candidates.  Includes an also excellent analysis by Princeton prof Melissa Harris-Lacewell

CCCAC has now opened a will call list for SJSU student who would like to attend the event. Student on the will call list will receive a free ticket to the event at the door.

Students looking have their names placed on the will call list should email cccac@as.sjsu.edu subject “Dolores Huerta Will Call” and include their name, phone number, and SJSU ID.

Update for students:  Maribel Martinez notes, “We will have discounted tickets for SJSU students who would like to attend but are unable to due to financial issues. Please contact me at cccac@as.sjsu.edu subject “Dolores Huerta Tickets” to have your name placed on the will call list . Be sure to include your name, email, and phone number. Thank you.”

Mark your Calendars!

The legendary activist Dolores Huerta will be in conversation on the SJSU campus to discuss current events and their impacts on the fight for Chicano equality in America. Joining her on the panel will be Thomas A Saenz, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s President and General Counsel, along with three members of the band Ozomatli, who have been designated official United States Cultural Ambassadors. Moderating the panel will be National Public Radio’s Richard Gonzalez.

The event, sponsored by the Student Union and hosted by Maribel Martinez of the Associated Students Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, will benefit the Center for Steinbeck Studies and the Mexican Heritage Corporation.

An Evening with Dolores Huerta, “By the Time We Got to Phoenix: SB 1070 and the New Chicano”
Thursday, September 23, 7:00pm
Morris Dailey Auditorium
Tickets: $15 General Admission, $10 Students (ID Required)