3/31 Weekly Newsletter
the PVUSD ethnic studies contract debate, upcoming town halls, and how local students are organizing to defend culturally relevant education.
Hola Amigos!
This week, I want to speak from the heart about something deeply personal and vital to our community: ethnic studies and the power of knowing our history.
Growing up in Watsonville, I was made to feel ashamed of speaking Spanish. Like many here, I internalized that shame and distanced myself from my roots. Our community knows this struggle too well—the tension of existing between cultures, never fully accepted by either. The brilliant Chicana scholar Gloria Anzaldúa called this a "borderland identity," a reality our students still navigate today.
It wasn’t until I learned our true history—of community, organizing, and resistance—that I found my voice. Ethnic studies isn’t just a subject; it’s a lifeline. Our students deserve to see themselves in their education, to understand their place in a history shaped by struggle and solidarity.
Look at Watsonville’s legacy: the Cannery Strikes, student marches against violence, Black Lives Matter protests, and the recent Day Without an Immigrant. These movements define us. They remind us we are powerful, even when systems try to erase us.
The attacks on ethnic studies nationwide—including here—are part of a long tradition of silencing communities of color. When we fight for these programs, we fight for our children’s right to their history and the tools to challenge oppression.
As your trustee, I’ll keep advocating fiercely for curriculum that honors all our stories. Join me at the upcoming town halls (details below) to stand together for our truth!
Special Board Meetings
PVUSD Town Hall on Ethnic Studies Contracts 1
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Aptos High Cafeteria (100 Mariner Way)
Details: Bilingual event with Board President Olivia Flores and Trustees Flynn/Navarro.
PVUSD Town Hall on Ethnic Studies Contracts 2
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Watsonville High Mello Center (250 E. Beach St.)
Details: Bilingual event with Trustees Turley, Carrasco, and Medina. Please note that I may be very late or not be in attendance due to a prior commitment which I have listed below.
Town halls are community conversations where PVUSD families directly shape district decisions. These open forums prioritize your voice over formal presentations, creating space for real dialogue between trustees, students, educators, and community members. Unlike regular meetings, town halls center accountability and amplify perspectives that are often left out of decision-making. These events are designed to build grassroots power through collective input - your participation turns concerns into action!
Why Ethnic Studies Matters for Watsonville's Future
The current debate over ethnic studies in our schools echoes a powerful moment in educational history - the 1968 Chicano Student Walkouts ("Blowouts") in East Los Angeles. Just as those students fought for curriculum that reflected their community's history and needs, today's Watsonville families are advocating for educational justice in the face of similar challenges.
The parallels are striking:
Then: Students walked out of schools that ignored Mexican-American history
Now: Students advocate for ethnic studies amid transportation cuts and environmental injustices
Then & Now: The core demand remains the same - education that empowers rather than erases
Research confirms what those 1968 students knew intuitively:
Stanford studies show ethnic studies increases attendance and achievement
PVUSD data demonstrates improved student engagement
UCLA research reveals reduced disciplinary disparities
Like the Blowout generation, today's students are applying critical thinking to connect historical patterns with present challenges. When they examine:
Cancelled bus routes in North County
Disparities in school resources
Environmental burdens on our community
...they're continuing the tradition of using education as a tool for civic understanding. This isn't about rewriting history - it's about completing the record.
As we honor the 55th anniversary of the Chicano Blowouts, we're reminded that quality education must:
Reflect community experiences
Develop critical analysis skills
Prepare students to engage with real-world issues
The Watsonville of tomorrow needs citizens who can think deeply about our challenges and opportunities. Ethnic studies provides that foundation - not as a political statement, but as an academic necessity for a well-rounded education.
On Saturday, I had the honor of joining an incredible panel alongside some movers and shakers who are fighting for a government that truly serves the people. It was both exciting and a little intimidating to share a stage with Guy Christian, Butch Ware, and Jen Perelman! I spoke about our community, highlighting the economic disparities our area faces and the work we’re doing to address them.
Upcoming Events
Green Livestream Podcast
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. PT
Location: YouTube - Green Livestream
Host: Eyde Arndell & Scott Free
Details: I’ll be joining the Green Livestream – an Illinois Green Party Podcast to talk about my path to becoming the first Green elected to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. We’ll get into the importance of grassroots political power, how local organizing can shift real outcomes, and why storytelling matters in movements for transparency, education equity, and justice.
🟢 Subscribe to the Green Livestream channel
Rally Against Lithium Fires
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz
Details: Join the fight against the Vistra Corp battery storage facility and the fire risks it presents to Santa Cruz and Watsonville.
Register for event
Virtual Town Hall
Date: Sundays (& some Thursdays!)
Time: 8:00PM
Location: @medina4pvusd on Instagram
Details: Tune in on Sundays for a live Q&A on Instagram, where Trustee Gabriel Medina will answer questions and discuss issues that matter to the community. All perspectives are welcome—let’s have a conversation!
Add to google calendarWant to be a guest? Email me at gabriel_medina@pvusd.net with the topic you would like to discuss.
The Green Party of Monterey County
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Details: Join the Green Party of Monterey County for our first meeting of the year. Meet other Greens, help determine our county priorities, and learn about what Greens are doing in our area.
Add to google calendar
Did you know:
Latinos weren’t always strong Democratic supporters. In fact, prior to the 1960s, many Latino voters leaned Republican. It was only after President Lyndon B. Johnson’s civil rights initiatives, farmworker activism led by César Chávez, and active organizing within Latino communities that the Democratic Party gained significant Latino support. Today, Latinos represent one of the party’s fastest-growing voting blocs—but that alliance is still evolving.
Reflections from the Empower Youth Panel
I attended the Empower Watsonville Event this past weekend as a panelist on mental health and substance abuse. It was inspiring to see how deeply engaged our students, parents, and community members were throughout the event. The students, in particular, impressed me with their thoughtful and well-crafted questions. They created a space where we could openly share ideas and strategies for addressing mental health and substance abuse issues affecting our community.
One standout moment was hearing from the student panelists. One current student provided incredible insight from their perspective, bringing genuine clarity and depth to our conversation. Another panelist, currently studying at CSUMB and an Empower Youth Program graduate, highlighted how impactful the program has been in shaping their values and skills in planning and organizing.
What I valued most was the openness and bravery students displayed when discussing mental health. As a millennial, many of us grew up hearing dismissive comments like "it's all in your head" or "walk it off." Witnessing this generation openly confront and discuss challenges like social pressure, body dysmorphia linked to social media, and the roots of substance abuse gives me immense hope for our future. There's no doubt that many of these students will become the next generation of community leaders, continuing this critical conversation and creating meaningful change.
My appreciation goes out to Empower Watsonville and everyone involved for nurturing these important dialogues and supporting the growth of future leaders.
News
PVUSD Board Weighs Future of Ethnic Studies Contract as Community Rallies Behind Program
The PVUSD board debates renewing its ethnic studies contract amid strong community support.
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Residents receive warnings about planned pesticide spraying in agricultural areas.
Read MoreLithium Battery Storage Expansion Faces Regulatory and Safety Hurdles
Local push for renewable energy storage confronts challenges in permitting and fire risks.
Read MoreYouth Soccer Leader Gina Castañeda Named Hero Award Finalist
The founder of Watsonville’s youth soccer program is honored for her community impact.
Read MoreAptos High Meeting Leaves Parents and Teachers Frustrated Over Lack of Clarity
School leaders face criticism for vague answers about campus issues.
Read MoreCeiba School to Remain at Current Site After City Council and PVUSD Waive Zoning Rules
Watsonville leaders approve an exemption to keep the alternative school in place.
Read MorePV High Students Protest Unequal Treatment in School Policies
Students demand fairness in disciplinary and resource distribution.
Read MoreCalifornia Teachers Lack Trauma Response Training Despite Growing Need
Educators call for more support in handling student trauma and crises.
Read More
Watsonville’s legacy of resistance inspires me daily. From ethnic studies to environmental justice, our struggles are interconnected. They’re about dignity, celebration of difference, and shared humanity.
As your trustee, I bring my full self: Chicano identity, academic rigor, Green Party values, and love for this community. Join me at the town hall and rally—your presence matters!
In unity,
Trustee Medina
Pajaro Valley Unified, Area III
Feel free to email me at gabriel_medina@pvusd.net or leave a voicemail at (831) 331-4208.