- Mr. Gonzales was born and raised in Berkeley. He grew up in the 1970’s with the community products of the Third World Liberation Front and ethnic studies movements. Specifically, his schooling was a product of the Chicano movement and he went to school with a mix of Black, White, LatinX, Chicano, and Asian immigrants. Growing up in the Bay Area was a unique experience because there was a mix of people. However, there was also an understanding that there is a genealogy of struggle. He went through the Berkeley school system and eventually went to UC Berkeley, majoring in Chicano Studies. He now saw and understood these movements at a much grander scale. Seeing and learning about this activist work influenced him to pursue his PhD in anthropology at the University of Texas. His focuses were on the U.S.-Mexico border, the question of Chicano identity, and social movements in Latin America. Then, he came back to Cal, where he has been teaching Chicano studies and ethnic studies ever since.
- Social movements and social struggles are a product of wanting to make things more equitable and open up spaces for nontraditional students.
- The ethnic studies department is the only department created through human struggle.
- Ethnic studies should be available to students because it not only gives voice to communities that were historically oppressed in the United States, but also sheds light on the study of life. This department provides pathways to study ways of life. Different communities have cultures and identities that are unique. It is important to have an understanding of the similarities and differences between your own culture in comparison to other cultures.