Ethnic Studies Classes Banned in Arizona

The controversial ban on ethnic studies classes in Arizona public schools goes into effect today, after much outcry from critics who claim that the law openly discriminates against minorities. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the law bans classes that “promote the overthrow of the United States government and resentment toward a race or class of people.” It also prohibits courses designed “primarily for students of a particular ethnic group and those that advocate ethnic solidarity rather than treat students as individuals.”

The concern, according to the law’s proponents, is that ethnic studies classes divide students; the ban was proposed in response to a Mexican-American history program in Tucson. The law is fairly obviously politically motivated, however, since as educators have pointed out, the classes are open to all.

The district says that it will retain the program, despite risking losing state funding. The newly hired superintendent pointed out that the program has clear benefits: 70 to 75 percent of the students that go through the program go on to college, compared with 20 to 25 percent of a similar group.

The current climate in Arizona, as other Care2 writers have eloquently pointed out over the past year, is unspeakably hostile to immigrants and minorities, and it seems clear that this is a similar attack. Educators are concerned that these restrictions could resurface in other states (as in Virginia, which enabled police to ask about immigration status on routine stops).

The district is right to stand up to this horrible new ban – it’s not without reason that some critics have started referring to Arizona as the “new South.”

Photo from Flickr.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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MarilynBusy F.

6:10AM PDT on May 25, 2012

Mary T.....maybe your classes were not geared toward the overthrow of the white race and maybe your textbook wasn't a HOW TO book ...but the La Raza classes in the crosshairs in this article are geared that way.
That's what makes it wrong.

Anything that can bridge the gap or make ethnicities blend peacefully is a good thing...but the classes here are fueling a very bad fire.

send a green star

mary t.

11:24AM PDT on May 24, 2012

I am half Japanese half Scottish-Irish, and this semester I took an African American Art History class. Not only was it the most enjoyable out of the four classes I took this semester, but it really was enlightening. And NO: it did not promote the "overthrow" of the white race, and it does not cause separation between the races. If anything it brings them together.
Something no one takes into consideration is that just because you belong to a different ethnic group from someone else does not mean that the two cultures don't influence each other. Different races and different cultures make America what it is, it's who we are even if our ancestors belonged to a different race, so it's kind of important that we learn about it.

bob m.

8:22AM PDT on May 11, 2011

All that Raz.

Michael C.

1:15PM PDT on Mar 18, 2011

"White Europeans stole this land, savaging the original inhabitants, and developed it with imported slaves. History has taught these folks nothing. Or has it?"

You understanding of history is biased, & incorrect, or at least incorrect.

Ramona K.

5:35AM PDT on Mar 18, 2011

White Europeans stole this land, savaging the original inhabitants, and developed it with imported slaves. History has taught these folks nothing. Or has it?

3:14PM PST on Feb 17, 2011

Redux from AZ thread!
The regressive (Progressive) Party of No (individual .. ) is mean-spirited, thuggish, religiously fanatical, scientifically ignorant, corrupt, hypocritical, xenophobic, racist, sexist, homophobic, evolution and global warming denying, authoritarian, selfish, greedy, lacking compassion, warmongering, and otherwise dangerous.

NEVER vote for Progressives.

Dan B.

1:05PM PST on Feb 16, 2011

The regressive Republican Party of No is mean-spirited, thuggish, religiously fanatical, scientifically ignorant, corrupt, hypocritical, xenophobic, racist, sexist, homophobic, evolution and global warming denying, authoritarian, selfish, greedy, lacking compassion, warmongering, and otherwise dangerous.

NEVER vote for Republicans.

Rosemary C.

11:19PM PST on Jan 16, 2011

Smell the coffee...lol
Case of old magoo eyes and fumble fingers.

11:15PM PST on Jan 16, 2011

This is one planet...we divide ourselves because the elite make the laws(he who has the gold makes the rules)the poorest always pay with their lives if need be;)
Untill we grow up(not holding my breath)things will continue as they always have.
We should be educating our children in many
cultures and teaching them multiple languages in preschool;0
Oh I forgot we have to have slaves right!
Wake up and small the coffee people,soon we will be a third world country.

If we want them to compete and be productive in the global economy this has to be our first priority.