The Crisis of the Public University

Back in 1996, I left my home in East Oakland and made the big move just a few miles up the road to UC Berkeley.  I was a student at Cal from 1996-1999 and was quickly drawn to the vibrant activism that surrounded the campus—these were the years of Prop 209, which eliminated affirmative action in California’s public schools and effectively undermined any efforts at increasing student of color representation in the UC system. (Above: A recent poster I designed for an event on Mon.Oct 26)

As a student, I lived at Casa Joaquin Murrieta, which back then was a Chicana/o co-op, where other children of immigrants and I created a home based in community and activism. It was there that many protests, takeovers, sit-ins, and actions were organized. It was there that I met the people I would work with for years to come to build institutions and to fight for our people. It was also there that I learned desktop publishing and design, thanks to my hermano, Jesus Barraza, who I continue to collaborate with today (Tumis, Taller Tupac Amaru). Actually, I also learned how to code at Cal as well, but not because I took a class, but because two techie Chicanos, jose d lopez and Marco Palma, showed me the wonders of the world wide web (which back then had just been introduced to us). These guys would also later become my partners in crime. (Here is a pic of me talking at a rally at Sproul Plaza)

In 1999, I participated as an artist, designer, and organizer in the third world Liberation Front (twLF) Hunger Strike with students who protested outside California Hall to keep Ethnic Studies alive on campus. For weeks, we organized actions targeting the Chancellor and even disrupted Gov. Gray Davis' Charter Day speech. As soon as Davis took to the podium, six students jumped to their feet and displayed banners! Even back then, art and activism were always intricately linked for me. Below is a poster designed by Jesus Barraza of Ten12 using my image. Ten12 was the name of our Chicano techie collective, which would later morph into what is known today as TUMIS. Check out Jesus’ reflections on the twLF here. (Right: Photo of banner hanging outside of California Hall)

I have been fortunate enough to stay connected with student activists at Cal and have continued to develop posters for the next generation of movement builders. The design below was done for a March 09 Event, Activism Right There.

 

The upcoming event on Monday, October 26^th follows the recent student walkouts on September 24^th when students, faculty, and staff protested State budget cuts that are placing a public education out of the reach of students.  Read more about it here.

The Crisis of the Public University
Monday, October 26, 2009, 4-7 pm
Pauley Ballroom, Martin Luther King, Jr. Building, UC Berkeley

Speakers:
Ariel Boone, ASUC Senator
Jayna Brown, UC Riverside
Stan Glantz, UC San Francisco
George Lakoff, UC Berkeley
Ananya Roy, UC Berkeley
Nancy Skinner, California State Assembly
Phil Ting, San Francisco City Assessor-Recorder
Alberto Torrico, California State Assembly