Raul A. Reyes: The Other Arizona Battle: A New Law Makes Ethnic Studies Classes Illegal
[Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and columnist in New York City.]
Growing up, I wouldn’t have been caught dead in a Chicano studies class. My high school had one, but I avoided it like the plague. Although my family background was Mexican, I considered ethnic studies “too Mexican.”
Besides, I thought I knew all about my heritage. I knew my ancestors had created two great civilizations. I knew about the Alamo. And that was about it. The high point of my study of the history and culture of my people came in fourth grade, when Greg Mosman and I teamed up to make the pyramids out of sugar cubes.
In hindsight, I could have benefited from a Chicano studies course. It would have filled in some critical gaps in my knowledge, and provided me with a better context for understanding American history. Still, although I regret that my immaturity kept me from exploring my Mexican roots, I appreciate that my school district made the option available.
Students in Arizona are not so lucky. A few weeks after signing the most stringent immigration law in the country, Gov. Jan Brewer signed another law banning ethnic studies. HB 2281 prohibits any school district from offering classes that “promote the overthrow of the US government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, or ... are designed for students of a particular ethnic group.”...
Read entire article at CS Monitor
Growing up, I wouldn’t have been caught dead in a Chicano studies class. My high school had one, but I avoided it like the plague. Although my family background was Mexican, I considered ethnic studies “too Mexican.”
Besides, I thought I knew all about my heritage. I knew my ancestors had created two great civilizations. I knew about the Alamo. And that was about it. The high point of my study of the history and culture of my people came in fourth grade, when Greg Mosman and I teamed up to make the pyramids out of sugar cubes.
In hindsight, I could have benefited from a Chicano studies course. It would have filled in some critical gaps in my knowledge, and provided me with a better context for understanding American history. Still, although I regret that my immaturity kept me from exploring my Mexican roots, I appreciate that my school district made the option available.
Students in Arizona are not so lucky. A few weeks after signing the most stringent immigration law in the country, Gov. Jan Brewer signed another law banning ethnic studies. HB 2281 prohibits any school district from offering classes that “promote the overthrow of the US government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, or ... are designed for students of a particular ethnic group.”...