Ethnic Studies Haiku

 

Ethnic Studies is

just like therapy, but for

people of color.

 

 

On the first day of my Asian American Studies course this semester, I almost started to cry, because I was suddenly in a safe space.  Not only was I surrounded by other people who looked like me, but more importantly, by people who thought like me, who recognize white supremacy and racism in our society and want to end it.  Being allowed the space to name the trauma we deal with daily (racism), and to challenge it, can be healing and transformative, much like therapy.  Just like in traditional therapy, you get to know yourself better, you delve into the history and root causes of the pain you are feeling, and find language to name it, process it, and hopefully change it.  Being in an Ethnic Studies class makes me feel less crazy, because I know I am not alone in the struggle.  Though it can be painful to revisit the traumatic history of our country, it is ultimately a healing process.

In Arizona, Ethnic Studies was banned with HB 2281, and in many other schools, Ethnic Studies is being threatened.  Currently students at California State University are demanding that Ethnic Studies be a general education requirement for all students.  From my own personal experience, I know how powerful and life changing these courses are for people of color.  Furthermore, for students of all races, Ethnic Studies courses are essential in understanding this country.  We must fight to not only maintain to keep these programs, but to grow and spread them to high schools and beyond.