Let's Race

Cultural Centers and Latinx Representation with Dr. Ramos

In today's episode, Dr. Cesar Ramos will discuss his experiences with cultural centers as well as Latinx representation and race advocacy. Dr. Ramos has a bachelor’s degree in politics, a master’s degree in public administration, and a doctorate in education for social justice, with a focus on inclusivity of Black and Brown students in Catholic higher education. He currently has thirteen years of professional experience in higher education, and recently joined the UC Irvine Cross Cultural Center as the director.

Indigenous Representation in BIPOC with Cedar Schaeffer

In today's episode, Cedar Schaeffer will be speaking on his experiences as an indigenous student at UCI who is also involved with the university’s cultural organizations. In his time at UCI, he has worked to undo the lack of Native representation on campus through involvement with the Cross Cultural Center and the American Indian Student Association. It is through these organizations that he hopes to decolonize higher education and address the social injustices experienced by Native peoples. Cedar is planning to pursue a career in public health and has spent his first year of university fostering relationships with various Native-serving organizations and campus-based centers that will ultimately help recenter equity in higher education. A fun fact about Cedar is that he is a Cali. Native through-and-through, with heritage from the Pala Band of Mission Indians of southern California and the Round Valley Indian Tribes of northern California.

AAPI Advocacy and Intersectionality with Dr. Wu

In today's episode, Dr. Wu discusses her experiences and wisdom as a current professor for History and Asian-American studies at UCI, the writer of various works highlighting the intersection between race and gender, and a racial equity advocate. Dr. Wu received her Ph.D. in US History from Stanford University. She previously taught at Ohio State University and the University of Chicago and currently teaches at UC Irvine. Dr. Wu is an associate dean at the School of Humanities, a director of the Humanities Center, a director of the Center for Liberation, Anti-Racism, and Belonging, and a professor in the departments of History and Asian-American studies. Her research interests include Asian-American History, Comparative Racialization and Immigration, Empire and Decolonization, and Gender and Sexuality. Dr. Wu has written three books: Dr. Mom Chung of the Fair-Hair Bastards: A Life of a Wartime Celebrity, Radicals on the Road: Internationalism, Orientalism, and Feminism during the Vietnam Era, and her most recent Fierce and Fearless: Patsy Takemoto Mink, First Woman of Color in Congress. Currently, Dr. Wu is researching the Asian-American and Pacific Islander women who participated in the 1977 National Women’s Conference.

Activism as a Latinx Student with Norma Vidal

Today's episode features UCI graduate Norma Vidal as she discusses her experiences as a Latinx individual heavily involved with race and ethnic advocacy with the UCI Cross Cultural Center. Norma Vidal was involved with the Cross Cultural Center, MEChA, and the Latinx Resource Center (LRC) at UCI. Through these organizations, her activism has focused on educating others on social issues impacting the Latinx community, including Colorism, Racism, Anti-Blackness, Anti-indigenous rhetoric, Machismo/Marianismo, and more.  She is pursuing a career in education and has worked closely with many non-profit college preparatory programs that support students from under-resourced communities in getting into college. A fun fact about Norma is that she is from East LA, a historically Mexican-American sub city that is known for its activism in the Chicano Movement, specifically the East LA walkouts.

Race in Higher Education with Dr. Nevin

Today's episode features Dr. Miles Nevin, who discusses the role and impacts of systemic racial constructs in higher education. Dr. Nevin is the first member of his family to attend college and received a doctorate of education in educational leadership and administration, a master’s degree in public policy and administration, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He currently works closely alongside students as an associate vice president and executive director of the auxiliary enterprises at Cal State Long Beach and as a member of the adjunct faculty at Kansas State University.