Luis Oswaldo Esparza is originally from Tototlán, Jalisco, Mexico, but raised in the Inland Empire region of California. He identifies as Queer, Joto, Xicano, Nepantlero, and, most importantly, a transnational activist.  He began his academic journey at San Bernardino Valley College in 2012.  Subsequently, he transferred to California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) where he graduated with a BA in Media Studies and an MA in Communication Studies. Now, he is honored to be part of the UNM Chicana and Chicano Studies PhD program.

Luis has also served as a graduate assistant and part-time faculty at CSUSB, UNM, and Central New Mexico Community College. He also currently serves as the advisor for UNM’s MEChA chapter. His pedagogy style is greatly influenced by de-colonial thinkers like Paulo Freire, Frantz Fanon, Gloria Anzaldúa, bell hooks, Enrique Dussel, and Ramón Grosfoguel.  With his research, activist work, and methods of teaching, he seeks to humanize and empower himself, his students, and our community in order to liberate and transform our world. He hopes to one day see a world free of eurocentrism, racism, hierarchization, homophobia, transphobia, machismo, patriarchy, and any other kind of system of oppression. Un mundo Trans-moderno (Dussel, 1993). Un mundo sin fronteras!

CV

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Research Interests

His experiences as a Joto of color have ultimately shaped the direction of his research. Much of his research is centered around de-colonial theories and methodologies. That is, de-centralizing European ways of knowing as 'universal knowledge' and centering subaltern and indigenous epistemologies. His primary areas of focus include centering the testimonios of rural Jotería de los ranchos y los pueblos, Queer Indigenous studies, and Queer subversive complicity. Luis’s most recent project involves his transnational activism in Mexico. Particularly, the organization of the first-ever Jotería Pride March in pueblo of Tototlán, Jalisco, Mexico. 

Research Topics

Jotería | Transnacional | Decolonial | Ranchos | Pueblos

Courses Offered

Introduction to CCS, Public Speaking (CNM), Interpersonal Communication (CNM), and Business Communication (CNM)