Black & Brown a Historical Journey to Familiar Roots
Professor Stephanie Johnshon of (VPA) taught a First Year Seminar course this fall working with Luz Nunez, a Service Learning Student Leader. The course was comprised of CAMP students and focused on the overarching theme of Mexican American and African American unity.
During the semester, they investigated Mexico's Third (African) root, Afro-Mexican history, and contemporary examples of successful cross-cultural alliances. Having learned the facts that African Americans were involved in the Mexican Revolution, that there are a number of Afro-Mexican political figures, and that Mexico had a policy of accepting African Americans who crossed the border to escape from slavery, students went out into the community to interview friends and family members.
For their final project, students asked questions about Brown and Black unity then posed the questions again after educating the interviewees about these historical connections.
The FYS students created a Facebook page that presents a sampling from their data.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unity-Between-African-Americans-and-Mexicans/168978469866993
100 Campus Center
