MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Teresa Carrillo, Ph.D.
¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to the Department of Raza Studies.
In the midst of the worst budget crisis in the history of California’s public education system, the Department of Raza Studies continues to grow and thrive. In May, 2009 our department graduated 32 Raza majors and minors – one of the largest graduating classes in our department’s history. Each of the 32 graduates developed something unique and remarkable to offer their community. Jessica Aguilar, a Raza Studies major, was chosen as the hood recipient to represent all undergraduate students at the 2009 graduation ceremony. Her rousing speech had a stadium full of students, parents, family members, faculty and administrators on the edge of their seats as she called upon all of us to give life to the core principles of Raza Studies: community empowerment and social justice. After her speech it was a joy to see the long list of Raza graduates step forward one by one to receive their diplomas. We have confidence that each of these hard-working students will find their own way to put their education to work in the service of their community. To this outstanding graduating class, we say ¡Felicidades! - we can’t wait to see what you will do.
As Fall 2009 started, students and faculty alike were thrown into a whirlwind of a class schedule cut to the bone and long lists of students trying their best to get into the classes they need. By the end of the add period, 33 Raza classes were packed to the brim (many over-enrolled) as we embarked upon a tumultuous semester punctuated by furloughs, protests, and one beautiful week of celebration and commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Department of Raza Studies and the College of Ethnic Studies. Ana Montes, a Raza Studies alum and former instructor in Raza Studies, was among the three individuals honored for exemplary leadership in the formation of the College of Ethnic Studies. Ana Montes stood up for all the Chicanas, Latinas, and women of color who steadily worked over the years and decades to build a strong Department of Raza Studies with a relevant curriculum and a commitment to community empowerment and social justice. In her award acceptance speech she said, “My experience at SFSU was the beginning of a lifetime of activism, which would not have been possible without the Department of Raza Studies.” For this and many reasons, we need to pull together in this time of budget cuts to strengthen and grow the Department of Raza Studies. I, for one, look forward to the challenge and I hope all of you will join me and stay connected to Raza Studies.
Sinceremente yours,
Teresa Carrillo, Ph.D.
Chair, Raza Studies
