There are four dimensions of ethnic studies (only two of which were covered today). The first is a critical perspective. As students of critical studies, we must learn to think critically (positively and constructively)of the dominant prospective. (individuals, insitutions, ideologies), which for the most part are Eurocentric, or centered on the European perspective or White, Anglo-Saxon perspectives.
The second is centered on community, serving the needy and that sort of thing, not the big guys (corporations, the rich, universities).
Also within that is the concept of Raza, which by simple definition means race, but in the broader sense means all races. The idea of a Raza Cosmica or cosmic race, as said by Jose Vasconcelos, is the incorporation and integration of all the races, such as it is seen in the Americas(US, mexico, central and south america). Here we have a mixture of Afro, Euro, Indio(native), and Asian ethicities and backgrounds that can help to improve the Raza Cosmica. The Mendelian priciple states that by the introduction of diversity into the gene pool, the entire pool gets "hybrid vigor" or the condition of being stronger.
The last point covered was the distinction between affirmative action and diversity. Affirmative action is community centered, while Diversity is upper level concerned (just to make the group photo multi colored).