A boomerang is someone that returns to it’s point of origin much like Mr. Jr a new Ethnic Studies teachers that is trying to change the way youths see themselves and our ancestors history. Mr. Jr grew up in Stockton until he was accepted into San Francisco State University to study photography. Jr came back in June 2019 to start teaching at a different school and to try to make a difference.

When Mr. Jr went to college, his Ethnic Studies class had a huge impact on his life. It impacted his life so much that he came back to Stockton to help grow the new high school Ethnic Studies classes in the district. When he was 17 years old he left Stockton to go to college in San Francisco. He was a teacher in East Oakland for 4 years before he came to CCHS. In June 2019, he came to Stockton, so he could start his first year teaching at Chavez.

Mr. Jr is passionate about Ethnic Studies, because the class had such a profound impact on his life in college.  Being able to learn about yourself, your people, why you’re in this country (especially as someone of color), as well as connect to current struggles as people of color. Mr. Jr explains, “So much of the negative things going on in Stockton can be understood when you have an Ethnic Studies lens.  The class helps students better understand who they are, how power is used in this country, how the media is used as a tool, how people of color have changed this country, and also empowers young people to take charge of their own lives and change the world.” He wants all his students to learn about themselves, understand why we are in this country, and understand why the world is what it is. Mr. Jr added, “I also want students to feel like they can use their knowledge to transform our school, city, and world into something better than it is now.” 

He concluded with an inspiring thought, “People of color had a huge part in building this country into what it is today. We wouldn’t be the richest country in the world today without the back-breaking work that so many people of color did–many times for free or severely underpaid.  I think people you know that they have the power to change the world. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We don’t need someone else to “save” us. If you have a dream and you’re willing to put in the hard work to make it a reality, nothing can stop you.”