Daniel Cearley is a well-known professor who teaches anthropology at Las Positas College But the enthusiasm and passion he’s known for reach far beyond the classroom.
Cearley’s nonlinear life has given him extensive experience working as an anthropologist. He’s taken part in several projects, including immigration, refugee and genocide cases. He has worked closely with human rights organizations, religious representatives, lawyers, community organizers, local law enforcement and the United Nations.
His experiences in the field have prepared him to teach in the classroom, where he offers insight into the world beyond LPC.
Cearley studied aerospace engineering at San Jose State University. But like many college students, he struggled to discern what his future might hold. That uncertainty pushed him to pause and reflect on what he truly wanted in life.
He scoured the SJSU catalog, searching for a path in life. Something to keep him stimulated, something enjoyable.
Anthropology.
After talking with his professor, reassured that this field would lead to a profitable career, he jumped headfirst into anthropology research projects.
His first undergrad project focused on transnational immigration between Guatemala, Mexico and the U.S., interviewing families in California and Guatemala.
As a grad student, Cearley examined displaced populations in South Mexico and the Chiapas. A conflict over land rights led to military groups, such as the Mascara Roja, targeting Indigenous Mayan people. Humans rights organizations, which Cearley worked with, estimated more than 500 Indigenous deaths over a seven-year period.
Cearley lived in Mexico for three years, where he worked closely with human rights organizations to hold the Mexican government accountable for its crimes.
In another project, Cearley found himself in Guatemala, studying the after effects of the Guatemalan Civil War on refugees. While living abroad, Cearley encountered spiritual practices that were foreign to him. His observations served to be important learning experiences.
“I try to communicate my own experiences with students,” Cearley said. “I think that that’s allowed me to be very flexible and very open to everyone’s take on it.”
Constantly surrounded by spiritual and religious individuals, he learned to observe — and respect — different cultures and religions.
“If that’s the way that they are interacting and having a conversation with their religion, boom, let it happen. I’m not witnessing, I’m not experiencing it, but I’m definitely seeing what the result is,” Cearley said.
In a small rural town in Guatemala, Cearley was presented with the job of excavating, identifying and burying bodies left in a cave. However, a family debate was taking place outside the cave — religious concerns on whether or not the remains should be removed.
“I recognized that I have to be very cautious about thinking that what I want is what everyone else wants, and there’s different ways of seeing things,” Cearley said. “There’s different opinions, there’s different perspectives, and that was very humbling to me.”
It’s this experience, this understanding, that Cearley brings back to the classroom. To highlight the more delicate aspects of anthropology for his students.
There’s a special type of sensitivity that comes with a job that handles human remains. Being an anthropologist might mean working with communities that were wronged.
Cearley said you have to remember why you’re there, to stay professional.
Often, wronged communities were happy to see anthropologists. Identifying the bodies offers closure to the family and community. That, Cearley said, is where he pulls his energy from while working.
“Yeah, humans can do some really awful things, but we’re much better at cooperating and working in groups, compromising, forgiving and being empathetic,” Cearley said. “That’s how I see humanity.”
Cearley encourages his students to explore, to not be afraid to experiment and try new classes.
“It’s a great place to do so. Talk to professors, leverage their experience,” Cearley said. “Just know that it’s understandable that your future is not clear right now. Why would it (be)? It’s only the beginning.”
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TOP PHOTO: Daniel Cearley as a grad student, exposing a grave in Guatemala in 1999, as a part of an part of an investigation into the Guatemalan Genocide. The Guatemalan Genocide took place from 1960 to 1996 and killed over 200,000 civilians, mainly ones of Mayan origin.
Sophia Sucato is the Photo Editor for The Express. Find her on Instagram @sophia_sucato.
