So this past weekend KAMP had the pleasure of presenting a workshop at Andres Bonifacio Samahan’s High School Conference. For those not in the know of what a HSC is, an HSC is an event aimed to promote Fil-Am students in the San Diego area to come to SDSU. This conference is easily one of the largest at SDSU bringing in close to 1000 people. Due to budget cuts this year, however, they had to go back to Montezuma Hall reducing attendance. Still it was a very impressive turnout still.
Our workshop was one of our previous lesson plans on racism. This workshop was one which was just up front exposing the kids to prejudice with the Ates and Kuyas acting in the roles of discriminatory mentors. The group was pretty mixd with students from all over San Diego from 619 to the 951 area code in Murrieta. We managed to get the workshop set up before the students were let in the room. This included putting up racist signs and moving chairs disproportionately so that students could see that they were already priveledged and already getting screwed over. The student acted th way we thought they would. Happy that they were priviledged on the good side and pissed off that they were being mistreated. And honestly it is the latter that makes me truly happy. To see the students discuss about the issue of racism and discrimination was interesting too. This discussion came after we played a audio track we created full of racist and steretypical things we have heard in our lives. Myself and Allie held down one group and while I will admit it was hard to get some of the kids to talk or even get the idea that their racist jokes were something to think about. It was the fact that they were in open discourse with their peers and us that makes this workshop worthwhile.
Last but not least major shoutout and thanks to all the mentors who came out this past Saturday to conduct the workshop: Lily, Marc P, Marc A, Rose, Rhona, Allie, Janel, and high school student Scenerry. Held it down for the youth and kept the flow going despite hiccups during the flow. Super shout outs to Janel, Allie, and Scenerry for stepping up for their first teaching day. I know it was trial by fire but you three pulled it off gracefully.
Thank you to Andres Bonifacio Samahan and HSC Coordinator Patrick Langit for allowing us to be a part of your conference. It is truly a great and important event for our community.
