Written by Irene SanchezNovember 24, 2017November 24, 2017

November 25: International Day to End Violence Against Women/16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

By: Irene Sanchez Xicana Ph.D. Originally posted on The Southwest Political Report November 25, 1960 This was the day the Mirabal sisters-Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa-were brutally murdered in the Dominican Republic after they fought against the dictator-U.S. installed and supported dictator-Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabal sisters, also known as “Las Mariposas”, story was depicted in […]

Written by Irene SanchezNovember 2, 2017

Latina Equal Pay

Latina Equal Pay Latinas are among the lowest paid workers in the U.S. at 54 cents to the dollar. Today marks the day Latinas catch up to white men and their earnings from last year. http://www.latinaequalpay.org/ Wages determine (unfortunately) whether people have enough to eat and a place to live. According to the National Partnership, […]

Written by Irene SanchezOctober 27, 2017October 30, 2017

From Community College to Ph.D., It Doesn’t Matter How Long it Takes You

It doesn’t matter how long it takes you. I told this to my students recently. I often give extra words of encouragement to the students who don’t even think they can go to college because they find themselves short on credits, in a continuation school, or in general feel as if they are incapable of […]

Written by Irene SanchezAugust 24, 2017December 11, 2017

If it’s Inaccessible to the Poor, Then What Is It?

If it’s Inaccessible to the Poor, Then What Is It? By: Xicana Ph.D. I have seen the quote many times, “If it’s accessible to the poor, it is neither radical nor revolutionary”. I agreed with this phrase, but then something happened that made me question how easy it is to call something out as not […]

Written by Irene SanchezAugust 10, 2017

Redefining Success

Degrees will not guarantee jobs. If degrees don’t guarentee jobs then what does this mean for our larger society? What then becomes the purpose of higher education? As I read through the comments reacting to my latest blog post, I have a Ph.D. and I’m on Welfare, I remember all the reasons why we cannot […]

Written by Irene SanchezAugust 2, 2017August 2, 2017

I Have a Ph.D. and I am on Welfare

I thought the real challenge would be finishing the Ph.D. as a single mother who overcome so many obstacles to be where I was walking across a stage with my son in my arms to have a doctoral hood placed over my head was one of my proudest moments. I thought I had overcome the […]

Written by Irene SanchezJune 16, 2017June 16, 2017

Creating Places to Stand: On Dismantling Oppressive Behaviors in Academia

“You can’t sit with us” There is a long list of reasons some people in academia will make up for justification as to why they won’t let you “sit” (interact) with them. For example, You can’t sit with them unless: You went to this elite school like they are all alums from (oh you didn’t […]