#sf state

This past month I got the opportunity to speak to undergrad and graduate students in “Ethnic Studies” and the “Department of Latino/a Studies” at San Francisco State University (SFSU) in California. Leticia Hernandez-Linares, a bad ass poet, professor, mama, activist, and my co-creator of “Alejandria Fights Back/ La Lucha de Alejandria” invited me to speak to a room full of students of all ages.

SFSU is the first college I went to straight out of high school. While there I took classes in design, fine art, and ethnic studies before transferring to an art school. I didn’t realize it then, but going to a school so rich in different types of people, and having access to so much knowledge about my culture was a gift. It was once I went to other schools that I realized what I took for granted. SFSU is the first college alongside UC Berkeley to fight for a curriculum that centered Black, Brown, indigenous, and Asian American history in the United States ever! Also know as Ethnic Studies which I talk about a lot here. Learn more about that college HERE.

Short videos about Ethnic Studies

PBS Origins video about the strike that led to Ethnic Studies in 1968 (10 min)

Danny Glover on 1968 student strike for Ethnic Studies-History of the Bay (1 min)

Theresa Montaño on why Pro Israeli groups want to censor Ethnic Studies (1 min)

Ethnic Studies is Anti White Supremacy not Anti White! (1 min)

Dr Allyson Tintiangco-Cabales giving a presentation about Ethnic Studies (25 min)

While there I spoke about:

A career in the arts

Benefits/ effects of Ethnic Studies courses at SFSU and how I incorporate it into art

Public Art

Freelance Illustration

Political Art

Children’s Books

Solidarity and coalition building

I had a great time speaking to the students and I’m trying to be honest, forthcoming, respectful, and open minded not only as a visiting speaker but as someone who answers questions about what its like to be a professional artist or to be multi-disciplinary in my work.

Dig this? Check out these other visits to colleges and libraries.

Modesto Jr College