You have to be kidding me Arizona? This cannot be true. Your legalization of racial profiling has not even been enacted and you are already going after the non-white children of your state? Guess who those children are? YOUR future governors, senators, representatives, mayors, city councils!!! How can you exclude any ethnic group from your public school curriculums? Is it really what is best for your state? If you guys were not going down the drain; you definitely are now!
Let me tell you something. The History of the World is about oppression. The History of America's longest chapter is about OPPRESSION! From Christopher Columbus slaughtering Natives, Pilgrims murdering and infecting Natives with small pox, Africans being brought to America and forced into slavery, the descendants of those Africans being lynched for well over another century after they were set free, Western settlers raping and murdering Mexicans who were driven from the land that we now call California-Nevada-Colorado-New Mexico-Texas-ARIZONA, the descendants of those aforementioned slavea and lynched Africans being denied rights based on the color of their skin, women and gays being denied rights!!! Did I leave anyone out, I'm sure I did because that is how much oppression this land has seen.
But enough of this rant for now... Let us look at the newest racism to come from the state of Arizona... (Words in CAPS and Bold are actual text from the bill)
A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL IN THIS STATE SHALL NOT INCLUDE
IN ITS PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION ANY COURSES OR CLASSES THAT INCLUDE ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING:
1. PROMOTE THE OVERTHROW OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
Seriously? I have taken Ethnic culture classes at all levels of my education. I have taken "Black Thought", "Ethnic Thought" "Asian American Lit", "Native American Studies", "Latin American studies", "Gay Culture". Not one of these classes EVER promoted the overthrow of the US Government. These classes were at both High School and College level. Show me!
2. PROMOTE RESENTMENT TOWARD A RACE OR CLASS OF PEOPLE.
Never part of any curriculum I have ever studied. Opinions are going to be based on an individual basis on experiences and education... Something this bill is supposed to promote!
3. ARE DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR PUPILS OF A PARTICULAR ETHNIC GROUP. I, as a Latino, never felt that any Ethnic history or culture class was not for me. Nor did I ever feel excluded because of my race.
4. ADVOCATE ETHNIC SOLIDARITY INSTEAD OF THE TREATMENT OF PUPILS AS
INDIVIDUALS.
So, we should not identify with those who hold similar ideals? We should be on our own. I'm sorry Arizona, but I do not think I want to be a Latino individual in YOUR state. My American ass might end up in an ICE detention center for forgetting my "freedom papers".
THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO RESTRICT OR PROHIBIT: COURSES OR CLASSES THAT INCLUDE THE HISTORY OF ANY ETHNIC GROUP AND
THAT ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS, UNLESS THE COURSE OR CLASS VIOLATES
SUBSECTION A.
Again can someone please show me the curriculum or textbook that excluded other students from a public school curriculum? Doesn't this contradict the law banning ethnic studies anyways? Who writes this shit?
NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO RESTRICT OR PROHIBIT
THE INSTRUCTION OF THE HOLOCAUST, ANY OTHER INSTANCE OF GENOCIDE, OR THE
HISTORICAL OPPRESSION OF A PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE BASED ON ETHNICITY,
RACE, OR CLASS.
Okay, so you guys have not fully been influenced by the Police state of Iran (Yes, I just compared Arizona to Iran) at least you still recognize that the Holocaust still happened... for now. What about the genocide of the native Americans? The Mexicans? The African Americans? The assassinations of our Civil Rights leaders like Dr. King and Harvey Milk? Will these be part of the curriculum? I doubt it, I had to seek out this knowledge... often times paying expensive tuition to learn of these events. I want to see your curriculum... I doubt these events are portrayed very extensively or at all in your history books, Arizona.
Am I reading the rest of this bill right? Does this bill advocate corporal punishment and physical force against students? What do you think is going to happen in Arizona? WOW.
I cannot see how banning ethnic culture classes in Arizona is going to benefit anyone in that state. I want to see the history and culture books you are going to use that will be beneficial to the students of Arizona, white and non-white alike. You know what the people of Arizona are going to be like without learning about other cultures and having the state pick and choose its truths? Well... I guess... much like the people who are in charge now.
American history did not start when Columbus "discovered" America. Her history is richer than that. America's history dates back to Ancient Egyptians, European Kingdoms, Roman Empires, tribesman and kingdoms of Africa, Asian Dynasties, Spanish Conquistadors, Aztecs, Jesus Christ, Buddah, Muhammad, Abraham, Allah/God. All of these and many more are part of what makes America so great. None of the cultures in America are any better than the rest. We are all part of what makes America so great. We have a rich history and if YOU do not like it Arizona, go ahead and go away. We will not miss you.
Very well written. We can add the internment of the Japanese in the U.S. and so on. When you told me about this today I really thought you were joking. To see these words in print baffles my brain. What is this state doing????? I am so appalled that this is being supported let alone passed into law.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia... And you are right... How could I forget the Japanese American internment camps. Hell, I pass the Puyallup fair every single day!
ReplyDeleteAZcentral.com
ReplyDeleteThe Arizona Republic
Phoenix loses 2012 GOP convention to Tampa
by Jahna Berry, Michael Ferraresi and Ginger Rough
May 12, 2010
Phoenix loses 2012 GOP convention to Tampa
http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2010/05/12/20100512phoenix-GOP-convention-2012-tampa.html
CNN : Arizona Boycott gains Momentum - Los Angeles City Council overwhelmingly approved the Boycott on Wednesday May 12
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/12/los-angeles-passes-arizona-boycott-over-immigration-law/
In my site RACIALITY.COM I am keeping the scores of this game of the BOYCOTT.
I also keep track of all the Cities, City Councils, Education Boards, County Supervisors, etc ... that are boycotting Arizona.
And don't forget lost conventions and tourists.
Raciality.com
Vicente Duque
Thanks Vicente for posting the link and providing that information. I just hope that what is being done is enough to make those in charge realize this was a bad idea. I find it interesting that they say this is waht the citizens of Arizona want when there are cities that are against it. They should stop playing personal politics, and listen to the people instead of the constituents that donate to their campaigns. This is not only done out of hatred, but from a place of priviledge. Where they have always see power and history has represented the power they experience. We wouldn't deny families from sharing their own history and experiences why do it for history of the world, regardless of who it is directed to or from it is history it happened. What the hell is that history book going to look like and who will publish it? are they just going to rip out chapters that might evoke reaction from students that beleive in equality and justice?
ReplyDeleteWhat is next you can't express how things make you feell because you might question authority?
What the hell is going on in Arizona.... don't drink the water.
Arrowhead water to be exact , Thank you BOBCAT for your site and your well written statements , And Vicente Thank you as well.
ReplyDeletePlease REREAD what you wrote. Arizona is NOT banning ethnic studies. They are putting some restrictions on them yes, but if you were really aware of things, you'd realize that some Ethnic Studies classes in school districts in the area ARE teaching the studies improperly.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you have never taken a class that taught things this way, but it IS happening here.
I'm all for diversity and teaching students the topics of such, but totally against teaching it in the way these schools have done. It's a mess that many that live here don't understand.
Restrictions agaisnt any ethnic group to study anything is WRONG. Show some proof that it IS happening. I have yet to find it anywhere. Because a class about Chicano Americans taught that Chicanos are an oppressed group, the class is wrong???
ReplyDeleteLast I checked... Chicanos ARE an oppressed group... Where was the fault? Teaching the truth?
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, they ARE banning ethnic studies. And like I said in the post "can someone please show me the curriculum or textbook that excluded other students from a public school curriculum?" You can't because it was in all likelyhood an over exaggeration used to incite fear in the public... But no, that NEVER HAPPENS!!!
ReplyDeleteVideo : Big Riot in Arizona University as Professor Sandra Soto of Social Studies speaks against the Racist Laws
ReplyDeleteThis lady is protesting the intrusion of the Arizona Authorities on Ethnic Studies.
They are forbidding all Ethnic Studies.
The Nazis also silenced their enemies in German Universities of 193x - Brutal Hecklers - Only the followers of Hitler were allowed to speak
The New Racist Laws in Arizona have an eerie similarity to Germany being subjected to Nazism.
KatiePavlich — May 16, 2010 — Professor Soto gives a political speech at the May 2010 Commencement Ceremony for the University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Commencement Speech
See video here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSppVDbEZkg
Youth, Minorities, Demography and Politics :
Milenials.com
Vicente Duque
The Arizona Republic admits they are against the new laws, HOWEVER, this article, at the bottom tells what is being taught in the Tucson Ethnic Studies Classrooms. Several former teachers in Tucson's program have blown the whistle on what was being taught. Those teachers are Hispanic and have been called racists by their own people. These teachers began to fear the curriculum was taking a very radical left and teaching the children to revolt, not about their culture. There's a BIG difference.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2010/05/18/20100518tue1-18.html
was so very happy to see this blog - i am so very sad that americans seem to take this in stride like nothing is wrong - if new york thought it had too many illegal africans, would they let law enforcement ask all black people for their papers? would they ban all african american studies.....we cannot learn anything if it is not made available to us - these people are way out of control -
ReplyDeleteThank You Marie, please send your friends the link.
ReplyDeleteJust as I thought. I got busy for a few days, so I didn't have time to check back to see if you responded. You have no argument for my points? Keep spewing your crap that Arizona is doing something wrong. Have you looked into the laws of Oklahoma and Virginia and blasted them? I've heard through the grapevine that their laws are as strict as Arizona's new ones, but no one is boycotting them?
ReplyDeleteArizona doesn't want to get rid of Ethnic Studies...we want to make sure they aren't racist or promoting things like "La Raza" (One Race), a movement that says that Hispanics are the one true race and should take over. Does that sound like the Ethnic Studies that promotes diversity to you?
I'm all for learning about all different cultures and hope my children have a chance to learn as much as they can as well. I am, however, against people trying to tell me that I'm racist because I want GOOD ethic studies, not crap.
By the Marie, if you read the law, not just propaganda blogs that don't disclose the full story, you will see that no one is authorizing the police to question JUST latinos. If an officer suspects a white person from England or France of being here illegally, they can question them too. Just because the large portion of illegals here are latino or hispanic doesn't mean they will only question them. A higher population of those questioned I'm sure will be, but that's just because of the specifics to this area. (BTW, Obama is the one that started the "asking for papers" just because crap. It's NOT in the law, READ IT and show me where that is. Obama has stated that he hasn't even read the law.)
Oh don't forget, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1/3 (more in some communities) of the police force in Arizona has a Hispanic background. Many of them are very much for this law and have no plans to use it for racist means.
Okay Susan, my apologies... I have been busy as well. But here is your much needed response to your aforementioned post (and thank you for checking back for a response, it means a lot to me but I do not write this blog only for you).
ReplyDeleteFrom your article:
"But the ethnic-studies ban "targets" minorities only in the sense that it seeks to defend a vulnerable, largely immigrant population in Tucson against a band of politically radical opportunists that blatantly seeks to convert students into activists for their far-left cause.
These TUSD activists are the Russell Pearces of the political left. If the nation indeed has come to see Pearce as the personification of the mean-spirited, anti-immigrant right, then Augustine Romero, Sean Arce and the other self-identified "progressive" Marxists of TUSD's ethnic-studies program are his equally sinister mirror image."
So the STATE is going to step in and BAN ethnic studies based on ONE teacher's views? I have not seen his curriculum... I would be interested to see the book that he uses or hear a lecture.
I find it humorous (and a little scary) that all one needs to say is Marxism or Communism for an immediate uproar from the Conservative Right.
Your article, although a good read... says nothing specific about the studies or the curriculum. I believe that I asked for that (not only from you but others). So... again your posts... although intruiging... leave me wanting more.
Not once in the article did I see anything about "La Raza". I am sure you are probably ignorant to that term. If you are referring to the National Council of La Raza... I fail to see the racism behind their mission. What I see is an organization that is looking out for Latino civil rights. Not a bad thing in my book. And La Raza is a good term. It's a term of pride. A sense of community. The people. Educate yourself on the history of the term before you comment on it further.
A quote from the article: "Revolutionary violence can be justified."
That is true. Our country would be here if it were not for a revolution.
In fact, JFK once said "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable." Maybe that is what the racist state of Arizona is aiming for...
So now we are back to the original post and opinion that this law is RACIST.
Thoughts?
Oh yeah, I'm sure they will be pulling over a whole lot of white people and asking if they are from England.
How do you answer this:
ReplyDeleteThis is a two part question. BOTH ETHNICITY AND RACE MUST BE ANSWERED.
Respondents must answer a two-part question to indicate ethnicity and one or more of five races. Hispanic/Latino is considered an ethnicity, not a race. THE TWO-PART QUESTION-WITH THE ETHNICITY PART ASKED FIRST-IS REQUIRED.
1. Hispanic/Latino (Choose only one):
__No, not Hispanic/Latino
__Yes, Hispanic/Latino
2. Race (Choose one or more, regardless of ethnicity status selected above):
__American Indian or Alaskan Native
__Asian
__Black or African American
__Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
__White
THIS FORM IS MANDATORY TO COMPLETE YOUR STUDENT'S 2010/2011 ENROLLMENT REGISTRATION. ANY PORTIONS LEFT UNANSWERED WILL BE COMPLETED BY OBSERVATION.
I Obstruct. How else?
ReplyDeleteYour mandatory term is ridiculous because I have yet to see a form where you have to answer either... by law
So If I as a Chicano was forced to sign this... I would sign, "Yes, Hispanic/Latino" and "American Indian or Alaskan Native"
I sign the last part because although I think the term "Indian" is racist as hell... I Would rather sign THAT than "White" because I know what it implies. I am not white in the eyes of this country... so I am not white in the eyes of a piece of paper... after all, the SW is native ground for my people anyways... "Native" would be a better term for your racist form.