We Honor the Lisjan and Muwekma Ohlone People & Land
Berkeley schools are on unceded Huichin Lisjan Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone land. We honor the original stewards of these lands and their ongoing efforts to rematriate land back to Indigenous peoples. We encourage visitors to this website to support the work of Sogorea Te' Land Trust.
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What is Ethnic Studies?
Ethnic Studies is a movement, interdisciplinary curricula, and pedagogy (the art and way of teaching) that connects and strengthens all communities by centering and uplifting the historically marginalized peoples on these Indigenous lands we now call the United States. Specifically, the true histories and lived experiences of Indigenous, Black, Pacific Islander, Asian/Desi/Arab, and Chicanx/Latine/Latinx communities are taught and honored.
Ethnic Studies supports all learners in understanding and critically analyzing systems of oppression, power, and privilege both within ourselves, within our communities, between communities, and institutionally. By confronting the truth of what has happened and continues to happen to historically marginalized peoples, we begin to heal ourselves, our families, and our communities. Ethnic Studies is rooted in love for self and community by inspiring learners to take action from a place of knowledge and care in order to transform our present and future so that we may all be liberated from oppression and racism. Ultimately, Ethnic Studies is a movement of radical hope and a belief in the spirit of human resilience, creativity, and the collective capacity to change, heal, and love oneself and one-another.* *This definition of Ethnic Studies was informed by the definitions written by OUSD and SDUSD Ethnic Studies leaders. |
