Schedule of Events

This project explores the experiences of immigration on young children, and how these experience affects their learning in education in the U.S. The project is focused on how immigration process informs their lives, specifically in their education experiences.  Particularly, the project highlights how U.S. migration process shapes the experiences of young children in relation to education assimilation processes into U.S. mainstream culture. We do so by examining secondary scholarship focused on English Language Learners in public schools and U.S. migration policies that shape the migration experiences of children. 
 

Throughout many years, numerous studies on disproportionate rates of STI infections among Latinx individuals in the United States has produced a deeper understanding of the significant challenges to implementation of culturally appropriate sexual health services primarily among the Latinx male population. This study aims to explore the significant barriers to implementation of culturally appropriate sexual health services to treat and prevent STI infections among Latinx, cisgender males throughout Ventura County. In addition, the implications gathered from the study provide the means to change existing healthcare policies that allow healthcare professionals to be equipped with training and knowledge in cultural humility and implicit bias to adequately care for and meet the health needs of Latinx male patients. In this study, a mixed-methods approach was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the barriers and challenges Latinx males encounter in improving their overall health and well-being in healthcare clinics. By expanding on the findings from both this study and past literature, we can use the implications from Latinx males living in Ventura County to help draw into the larger Latinx male community across the entire U.S.

Boyle Heights was once a book desert; with the close of the local library, there were limited places to attain accessible books. Therefore, Libros Schmibros jumped to action by providing free books and also educational opportunities that were lacking in the community. Through researching the impacts of literacy and education, Libros Schmibros is a great example of how culture and language barriers can be dismantled through the power of books. Education scholars have argued that lending libraries in communities of color demonstrate the positivity and vibrancy and build education bridges in communities like Boyle Heights. Schmibros, a Yiddish word, represents the original mixed race community of Boyle Heights, thus a tribute to the Jewish origins of the community and the founder of Libros Schmibros.  This presentation, through secondary research and participant observation, explores the role of Libros Schmibros lending library in building education and community bridges in a now predominantly Latinx community in East Los Angeles. 

There is a significant divide within the judicial system. This systemic injustice has prosecuted many African-Americans and Latinos for crimes that police would otherwise ignore in more white communities. Specifically, I want to target criminals in jail for crimes that have been legalized or otherwise have an aspect that changes them from traditional cases. To compare this difference, this study will use cases with similar accusations and look at their results to analyze their differences on a case-by-case basis. I will use records of similar cases in the past in conjunction with any possible live interviews I can retrieve to supplement this information and draw further conclusions.

I focus on gentrification and how it impacts communities, culture, housing, and jobs. in addition, I pull examples in real time from my hometown, Oxnard. With the ongoing construction of new jobs, high-income housing, and more in Oxnard it is my goal to capture the reality of what is happening not only in Oxnard but in many cities and towns in the United States. The deconstruction and rebuilding of gentrified cities are not only in physical buildings or homes but also towards the people who lived in those areas affected, making people who lived during the deconstruction either survivors or victims of this wave. Being one of the affected people, it is essential to share what we've lost and what we go through dealing with this social issue and display what was and is now. 

This project on the Armenian Genocide provides background information about the struggles Armenians faced and the aftermath of how their lives were impacted. The goal of this project is to inform others about how the genocide began, the impact it had on Armenians, and the way it shapes our understanding today. It’s essential to understand why the Armenian Genocide is an event that has changed the lives of many, and how it relates to modern-day history. Methods used for this project include research and descriptive methodologies. We will be demonstrating this research through the use of three poster boards: the main one will include a detailed map of the trails the Armenians were forced to travel through and the important locations of where the mass murder happened.

The issue of urban displacement and environmental racism is one that has plagued California for decades now. There is constant exposure of pollutants and toxins to Latino/a farmworkers and low-income people in agricultural communities like the Central Valley of California and cities like Oxnard, California. This process is eerily similar to the exposure of said pollutants to low-income communities in industrial or highly-transited areas like the communities of East Los Angeles. The construction of freeways, industries, factories and power plants are all examples of environmentally racist projects that almost always affect communities of Color and low-income neighborhoods. These racial projects “differentially affect the health outcome or living conditions of people and communities based on race or color”(Golash-Boza 398). The racial projects at work are attempting to reinforce a racial hierarchy by affecting these communities at a disproportionate rate both in their workspaces, mainly agricultural and industrial areas, as well as the places they call home, which typically are highly industrialized and urban areas.  In this study, through the framework of racial capitalism this project brings attention to the issues of environmental racism in low income Latino/a communities in Southern California.

Forced displacement from increased property value, discriminatory behavior of people in power towards the minority community, and an increased cost for local services are all negative impacts from gentrification. Some may argue that gentrification is a positive thing because of the new businesses it brings into the community, while others live as anti-gentrification activists. Many of the businesses that are being brought in are art galleries. The act of evicting local art galleries because of raised rent prices is called artwashing, a threat of gentrification. Local artists make the community creative and bring in interest for the property, for example in Boyle Heights. Boyle Heights is a predominantly Latinx, working class neighborhood in Los Angeles, California that faces several commercial art galleries opening up and raising rent prices, which creates a displacement of residents who have lived in the community for some time (Hamidi, E. 2020). The objective of this study is to bring awareness to the artwashing displacing local artists in Boyle Heights, LA. This paper will consider artwashing in Boyle Heights and how it may both positively and negatively affect the locals.

Critical Race Theory highlights and explains aspects of American history that emphasizes racist elements. It has been criticized in the education system as some feel that it should be outlawed where others see its importance. Teaching this theory ultimately has positive benefits towards eliminating racial injustice and biases within the education system and beyond. Our presentation highlights the importance of teaching Critical Race Theory in schools, especially when considering the drastic impacts it will have on society as a whole. Critical Race Theory gives students a raw and eye-opening perspective on life that will promote a growing mindset. Using scholarly literature and real educators, we plan on creating a visual that encases the differences the knowledge of Critical Race Theory can have on a young person’s mind. 

For many immigrants, discrimination has become part of their everyday life. Xenophobia which is defined as prejudice or discrimination against immigrants has planted deep roots in American societies globally. My project will dive deep into the systems that establish inequality for those who come seeking 'The American Dream'. Some aspects that I will discuss are injustices in one's workplace, healthcare discrimination, in addition to violence and abuse they face in society. I believe it's important to acknowledge and advocate for what immigrants face while even still continuing to contribute to their communties. Discrimination ties in closely with that of racial equity and equality. Many come seeking better opportunities than what their country can offer, but unjustified systems knock them down and wipe them of believing in 'The American Dream'. 

New Latinx owned eateries are popping up in Boyle Heights unknowingly and unintentionally contributing to the gentrification of this neighborhood, composed mainly of Latinx residents. Gentefication is a people-led urban revitalization process that has affected many Latinx neighborhoods.  The process of Gentefication is portrayed in media through the TV shows, Gentefied and Vida, highlighting fictional Latinx owned businesses that teeter the line of selling out through pandering to profitable, white friendly consumerism. This project will specifically focus on Boyle Heights. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight how new Latinx owned eateries can contribute to gentrification and racial capitalism within Boyle Heights. Through a field study process, this project will showcase two newly opened, Latinx owned eateries, La Monarca Bakery and Pink and Boujee LA,  that are located in Boyle Heights and cross comparison to  the fictional Latinx owned business portrayed in Gentefied and Vida.
 

The presentation explores how people of color experience racism within the healthcare system. Particularly, we explore how race and quality of healthcare shape the experiences of people of color accessing healthcare. This presentation is based on personal experiences, and second hand academic scholarly research. The outcome is a creative poster board that explains what we learned and furthers understandings on the question of how racism is experienced by people of color while accessing healthcare.

Gang violence has been a social issue that has significantly affected communities across the United States. This has been a constant for decades in a city like Boyle Heights in Los Angeles. The city has made notable efforts of reconciliation and intervention, with the development of non-profit and community-based organizations, like Homeboy Industries. This organization  provides services for gang members that are seeking to transition out of gang life. Although Homeboy Industries has shown great success in the Boyle Heights community, as well as several communities throughout the Los Angeles area, it has opened an unforeseen path for the uprising issue of gentrification. Through secondary research, this presentation will focus on the successes of Homeboy Industries, founded and located in the Boyle Heights, and how making the community safer has attracted investment and development to enter neighborhoods that were once overlooked.

This presentation explores the role of restaurants in the gentrification process in Boyle Heights. The process of gentrification puts at risk of displacement popular Latinx owned buildings, convenience stores, retail stores, and restaurants. The restaurants in this community have provided a variety of benefits for the locals, such as claiming rights to the community, belonging and cultural citizenship.  The project explores how some restaurants in Boyle Heights have served as ways for community members to claim a sense of belonging and sense of place. I analyze which restaurants have made it through the process of gentrification and those who have not and their impacts on community belonging and displacement.  I do so by analyzing secondary hand academic research, the television show, Gentefied and community members lived experiences.