Episode #279: Ethnic Studies in the South with Jonathan Peraza Campos

In this episode of District 3 Podcast, hosts Irvin and Miggs sit down with educator, organizer, and scholar Jonathan Peraza Campos. A passionate advocate for Latinx education, Jonathan is an educator Teaching Central America—an initiative aimed at empowering Latinx students through a deeper understanding of their Central American heritage and history. Jonathan’s educational journey spans from his undergraduate degree at Emory University to his Master’s in Social Foundations of Education from Georgia State University, and now, as he pursues a second Master’s in History and Latinx/Latin American Studies. His academic work intersects with his activism, focusing on the connections between racism, imperialism, militarism, immigration, incarceration, and education, particularly in the context of the US South and Central America. In this conversation, Jonathan shares how his work with Teaching Central America is not just about teaching history—it’s about connecting Latinx youth to their cultural roots, fostering pride and resilience, and addressing systemic issues that impact their communities. Jonathan discusses how education can be a tool for social justice, with a focus on Latinx and migrant youth in the Atlanta area. He explores the ways that history, identity, and resistance are intertwined, and how teaching these subjects can spark courage and activism in the classroom and beyond. Join Irvin and Miggs as they discuss the transformative power of education, the importance of reclaiming Central American history, and how Jonathan’s work is helping to build a generation of brave, empowered Latinx leaders.