Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News

UC Berkeley professor Ron Takaki spoke on the effect of immigration on education this morning. [Click to enlarge]

Cal Poly's Provocative Perspective series continued with the 2006-07 theme of California by hosting a discussion by author and University of California, Berkeley ethnic studies professor Ron Takaki entitled "The Current Dialog and Crisis in Immigration: Its Effect on Education." Takaki explored a variety of topics dealing with racial diversity in America during a breakfast on campus Thursday morning.

Each year the Provocative Perspective series takes on a different theme to present various points of view from experts on a similar subject. This year's California theme was chosen by Cornel Morton, vice president of Student Affairs, who also serves as the sponsor.

Takaki, the grandson of a Japanese immigrant, has written 11 books, including "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America," a comparative history of diverse Americans that asks the question how can education reflect all voices in our history? The professor has given speeches on diversity all over the world and helped former President Bill Clinton write a major speech on race in 1997.

"California is a racially diverse state; we have 10 million unauthorized Mexican immigrants. Congress is currently wrestling with a comprehensive immigration bill, but what would that be? My speech will address the issue why is this happening," Takaki said. "It is not just a question of what to do when they get here, but why are they coming by the millions."

Takaki's research has dealt extensively with the subject of the Mexican migration into the U.S., linking some of the immigration increases to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the deployment of the National Guard to the borders.

After NAFTA became official in 1994, a majority of the Mexican corn farmers could not compete with the low prices of the U.S., became bankrupt and traveled north to find work.

"We chose Ron Takaki because he is well-renowned for his expertise in Asian American history and diversity. He brings a unique contribution to our series," said Joy Pedersen, program coordinator of Cal Poly Community Center.

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