This is one antidote to racism in California

Dear Governor Gavin Newsom,

I write to urge you to sign Assembly Bill 1460, which will establish a three-unit ethnic studies graduation requirement for undergraduate students in the California State University system. Supporters of the bill have provided evidence of the countless benefits of ethnic studies in K-12 and higher education. I am an associate professor and director of the Ethnic Studies Program at CSU Stanislaus, but today I write as someone who was recently a target of racism, to advocate why ethnic studies is more important than ever.

On the hot evening of July 7, I went on a bike ride in Turlock. Earlier in the day, my real estate agent recommended a house that was for sale in town, so I decided to pass by the property to get a look from the outside during my bike ride. When I arrived at the cul-de-sac where the house is located, I saw an older white man standing on the street with two young children. What a great opportunity, I thought, to not only see the property but also get a feel for the neighborhood.

I smiled and proceeded to look at the house that was for sale, snapping a photo of it on my smartphone while listening to music through my earbuds. Less than two minutes had gone by before I heard a muffled “Hey!”

I turned and saw the man gesturing with his hands. I removed my earbuds to find out what was the matter. “What are you doing here? You need to leave!” he commanded, pointing toward the cul-de-sac’s exit.

“Excuse me?” I replied, clearly perplexed. With hostility, he demanded to know if I knew “someone in the neighborhood,” which left me doubly perplexed. I thought, since when are prospective home buyers required to know “someone in the neighborhood”? Who is this man? What entitles him to speak to me in that way? What assumptions is he making of me?

With racing thoughts, I responded, “This is a public street; I don’t have to know anyone here.” “You don’t belong here. You need to get out!” he ordered as the children, now panicked, ran behind him.

I certainly didn’t feel I owed this man any explanation, especially given the way he was treating me, but I decided to clarify that I was a prospective home buyer, interested in the property for sale, hoping this would put an end to the harassment and clear up any possible misunderstandings. “I don’t know who you are and I have to protect the children; you need to get out!” was his angry, escalating response.

Although I hadn’t violated any laws and had a right to be there, I knew it was time to leave when he threatened to call the police. As the Black Lives Matter movement and viral videos have demonstrated, summoning law enforcement can have dire consequences for minoritized populations, and I wasn’t ready to take that risk.

Racism prevented this man from recognizing my humanity. My skin color made it impossible for him to see me as a regular person, let alone a potential home buyer. Never mind that I am an award-winning scholar who has dedicated their life to teaching, mentoring, research, and service. In the eyes of this man, I was a suspect, a threat.

The racism I experienced is not an isolated incident but part of the global right turn and resurgence of white supremacy in the U.S. and abroad. As an antidote to oppression, ethnic studies is a powerful way to dispel harmful racial stereotypes, paving a path to racial equity. Furthermore, ethnic studies bridges differences and transcends racism to move us toward the co-liberation of society.

Many are counting on you, Governor Newsom, to continue your tradition of being a social justice warrior by signing AB 1460. This historical move will demonstrate what a progressive and inclusive government can achieve. Your support of ethnic studies will validate your commitment to future generations and help shape an anti-racist world.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM.