Ryan Chung 2017 Update

In mid-October of 2017 I caught up with Ryan Chung at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. Chung was relaxed and excited about work he is doing to help the Lady Clipper Barber Shop in D.C. with social media.

He is finishing his degree at American University, but his focus has changed. Having completed the minor in education, he is now majoring in American studies. Rather going directly into teaching after graduation, he is thinking about working for an NGO, or pursuing music, or doing something in film or photography.

He explained that the change in direction came from two sources. First, as he learned more about education theory and practice he was frustrated that the students and faculty were not sensitive to the realities of life for students of color or those from low-income communities .

Secondly, he wanted to focus on his own identity and ideology. As he said, “If you don't have an idea of who you are as a person, how can you foster identity formation in your students?”