Message from the Chair, ETHN Senior Spotlight Sarah Gueno, ETHN Senior Spotlight Gabe Fallis, ETHN Senior Spotlight Michaela Tyus, Faculty updates, Dr. Josen Diaz: Puppy Fashion & Online Joys, Dr. Gail Perez: Food, Labor & Disaster Capitalism, ETHN Students Stand in Solidarity with the Protect Mauna Kea Movementhttps://digital.sandiego.edu/ethn-newsletters/1002/thumbnail.jp

Department of Ethnic Studies

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University of San Diego

University of San Diego Digital USD Ethnic Studies Department Newsletters Department of Ethnic Studies Spring 4-3-2020 Ethnic Studies in the Time of COVID-19 Department of Ethnic Studies Follow this and additional works at: https://digital.sandiego.edu/ethn-newsletters  Part of the Ethnic Studies Commons Digital USD Citation Department of Ethnic Studies, "Ethnic Studies in the Time of COVID-19" (2020). Ethnic Studies Department Newsletters. 3. https://digital.sandiego.edu/ethn-newsletters/3 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Ethnic Studies at Digital USD. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ethnic Studies Department Newsletters by an authorized administrator of Digital USD. For more information, please contact digital@sandiego.edu. View in browserEthnic Studies in the Time of COVID-19Message from the ChairDear Friends,In her stunning book Crowns of Glory, Tears of Bloodabout the 1823 Demerara slave rebellion, theindomitable historian Emília Viotti da Costa, writes:“Crises are moments of truth. They bring to light theconflicts that in daily life are buried beneath the rulesand routines of social protocol, behind the gesturesthat people make automatically, without thinking oftheir meanings and purposes. In such moments the contradictions that lay behind therhetoric of social harmony, consensus, hegemony, or control are exposed."As the vicious cracks and devastating incompetencies of our economic and politicalstructures are laid even more bare, I am moved by the emergence of mutual aid as aradical act of love and solidarity in our communities. I am comforted by our willingnessto feed, support, listen, reach out, and hold each other. I am thankful for my students'generosity and patience as I navigate the techno-maze that is remote teaching. And I aminspired by the Asian American community's capacity to combat anti-Asian racism andxenophobia in such fierce and creative ways, such as this incredible zine assembled byAsian American and queer feminists.I am especially tickled by the unexpected activities that me and my ETHN colleagues areengaging. We could be exploring the dazzling collections of 1,200+ internationalmuseums and archives or enrolling in 450+ free online courses offered by Ivy Leagueuniversities. NAH. In addition to consuming way too much daily news, we are trapped ina Gothic literature vortex, snacking on ungodly amounts of avocados and cottagecheese, watching teary episodes of This Is Us, experimenting with an embarrassingnumber of Zoom backgrounds, and homeschooling our little ones. We are also celebrating our graduating seniors, so enjoy this semester's newsletterswhich will feature them in all of their gorgeous and shiny goodness. Make sure to scrolldown, too, and peep the mini report-back from students who recently participated in theProtect Mauna Kea movement.    All the best, wise, and joyous to you,May FuAssociate Professor & ChairDepartment of Ethnic StudiesETHN Senior SpotlightSarah GuenoAs a graduating senior, I have constantlybeen reflecting on the past four years ofmy life. As cliché as it is, they truly havebeen some of the best years of my life sofar, but not only because I’ve made someof the best friends I’ll ever have or anyother basic reasoning for why college is soamazing, but because I have experiencedthese four years as an Ethnic Studiesmajor. This major has taught me moreabout myself than I ever could havelearned having studied anything else. It isgrounding and humbling to be a part of this department. It challenged me in ways I’venever been before, it helped me find more value in my voice as a woman of color and hasinspired me to be an ally and an activist every day. After graduation, I will be studying forthe LSAT in hopes of attending law school.In light of what’s happening in the world today, and with so much uncertainty circulating,I just want to extend as much love and support as I can to everyone. I hope everyone andtheir families are able to stay healthy and as happy as possible during this time. Takecare of yourselves and each other. ETHN Senior SpotlightGabe FallisHello! My name is Gabe Fallis. I am a seniorand first-generation student at USD. I amalso in the NROTC program awaiting mycommission as a 2nd Lieutenant in theMarine Corps in late May as well as theChair for the American Indian StudentOrganization (AISO). Ethnic Studies alongwith all of the members of the EthnicStudies department have given me thenecessary tools and guidance towardssuccess in college. From student resourcesto life lessons, from open door policies tomentorship, the faculty has really gone outof their way to set their students up for success. My most memorable experiences withEthnic Studies have been made through connecting with activists and grassrootsorganizers. From Chicano Park to Mauna Kea to local Native reservations to Black-ownedbusinesses and non-profits, I now know what change looks like and how it can beaccomplished, all thanks to my professors and fellow ES majors/minors who I considerfamily. My tip for newer students is to identify who you are, what is your story, and how can youuse your life experiences and knowledge to bring about meaningful change for those lessprivileged than us. A quote I hold dear to me is, "Never forget where you came from, butnever let that hold you back from where you want to go." - Anonymous.ETHN Senior SpotlightMichaela TyusHi! My name is Michaela Tyus, and I’m agraduating senior majoring in Ethnic Studieswith political science and Spanish minors.I’m originally from Upland, CA, a small townDr. Josen Diaz: PuppyFashion & Online JoysMy days generally look like this:coffee, yelling and crying and yell-crying at the news, work, searchingDr. Gail Perez: Food, Labor& Disaster CapitalismI am trapped with myself as headchef, and it is not good. Since I amvulnerable, I have been aided bydear friends and colleagues withfood and household items. So a lot40 miles east of LA. After the spread ofCOVID-19 caused the closure of USD, I havesince relocated back home where I havecontinued with my studies while practicingsocial distancing. Although life at themoment is very intense and fearful, it isextremely important to remember how thispandemic has affected already marginalizedcommunities, such as people of color,immigrants, and the working class. From thelack of access to adequate healthcare toundocumented workers receiving nogovernment aid while still employed, thispandemic is detrimental to the lives of thosegroups who already have beendisenfranchised by US capitalist society. It is for their health, lives, and continuation offuture generations that I practice social distancing and highly encourage everyone withprivilege to do the same. Staying home for 30 days can mean saving 30 lives.Faculty Updatesfor dog memes, searching for newzoom virtual backgrounds, morecoffee, more work, gardening,washing my hands, dressing up mydog for pretend fashion shows,holding said fashion shows, readingJia Tolentino’s collection of essays(highly recommend), baking, andGoogling other skills I can learn andcultivate to share with others. It’s easy to feel helpless right now,so I want to find ways to be useful— in whatever small or big formsthat takes. To that end, I’ve alsobeen trying to connect with folks tomake sure that social distancingdoesn’t mean social isolation. Thishas meant brainstorming withcolleagues and friends aboutteaching and other projects. But it’salso meant zoom dinner parties,dance parties, family reunions, andgame nights.* Thanks to Josen's dog Mona forposing for this column!of time is spent scrambling aroundfor deliveries and then figuring outwhat to do with said deliveries. Thiswould also include time spent notinhaling around the Instacartdelivery folks, wiping downpackages, putting them in 3-daypiles, so I know when I can touchthem and so on. I am now in deep awe of ourgrocery workers, our Amazonworkers, and all the truck driversout there. I became interested in theInstacart strikers and the uglyexploitation of their labor. Mywriting has consisted of a fieryletter to the Instacart CEO and oneto Jeff Bezos. Aside from constantcomforting texts to and fromfriends, labor and disastercapitalism occupy my thoughts.And, if anyone has a good recipe forspinach, pinto beans, and a can ofcorn, I'm all ears!ETHN Students Stand inSolidarity with the ProtectMauna Kea MovementDuring spring break, a group of EthnicStudies majors and Professor May Futraveled to the island of Hawai''i to standin solidarity with the kia’i (protectors withresponsibility to preserve a person, place,or thing) of Mauna a Wakea. The KanakaMaoli (Native Hawaiian) led movement had organized an encampment along the accessroad to the mountain for well over 200 consecutive days to stop the construction of theThirty Meter Telescope (TMT) at the summit of sacred land. With their permission, wejoined the kia'i camp.Prior to our departure, we prepared to join the movement by engaging in readings,researching, communicating with people on the mauna, and overnight camping in theCuyamaca Forest to prepare ourselves for cold weather conditions. We arrived onHawai'i Island on the first day of spring break after pulling an all-nighter and missing ourconnecting flight. Our weeklong experience included traditional Hawaiian farming,activist printmaking, visiting the Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hamakua, and singing "Ain'tNo Mountain High Enough" in our packed minivan. On the mauna, we participated in adaily sunrise ceremony and a’ha (protocol) three times a day in the morning, noon, andevening, rebuilt tent structures that were recently destroyed in a wind storm, cleanedequipment, moved and reorganized supplies, washed dishes in the freezing rain, servedfood to the kia'i, and shared stories and songs through the night (see our photos below!).While we feel that the scope and depth of our experiences  could fill an entire book,some of our favorite mauna moments were building relationships with the kia'icommunity and reflecting on ourselves and our intentions for how to hold space as allies.Ku Kia’i Mauna! - Emily Beck and Gianna PrayUniversity of San DiegoDepartment of Ethnic Studies5998 Alcala Park, Maher Hall 210San Diego, CA 92110(619) 260-4132https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/ethnicstudiesUnsubscribe

Ethnic Studies in the Time of COVID-19. 1:3

https://digital.sandiego.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&amp;context=ethn-newsletters

Ethnic Studies in the Time of COVID-19. 1:3

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