Arizona GOP Takes Another Whack At Latinos

With midterm elections coming up, it appears as though the strategy for Arizona Republicans focuses on using race as the new wedge. With the ink not even dry on the controversial immigration law, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed yet another measure aimed squarely at the state’s significant Latino population. This measure bans ethnic studies programs and was inspired in large part by the successful Tuscon Unified School District’s Raza Studies programs, leading many civil rights activists to name the legislative efforts in Arizona the rise of “new Juan Crow”.

This particular measure prohibits any classes that advocate for ethnic solidarity, that are designed primarily for students of a particular race, or that, curiously enough, promote resentment toward a certain ethnic group. The ethnic studies programs in the state are open to all students, regardless of race. The ban was enacted despite quantitative data that shows students enrolled in these programs have a significantly higher graduation rate than there peers enrolled in the traditional history programs in Arizona.

Not surprisingly, the most vocal proponent of the measure, Arizona schools chief Tom Horne, is running for Attorney General as, you guessed it, a Republican. He applauded the measure as one that finally rids the state public schools of “ethnic chauvinism” and even had the audacity to compare ethnic studies pedagogy to the Old South.

Unlike the immigration law, which arguably can be viewed at attempting to a significant criminal justice issue, there can be no doubt that this latest move is a direct attack at the state’s ever-growing Latino presence. This is a reaction by a group of legislators that feel threatened–in number, in power, and in influence. And much like those who resisted early integration efforts in the South, the more backed in a corner they feel the more insidious their response.

Thankfully though it appears as though the rest of the country does not have the stomach for the kind of hate-mongering going on in the Arizona Republican party. The state has already reportedly lost millions from economic boycotts, and it appears that even the national Republican party is doing its best to distance itself from the state as early reports yesterday were that Florida, rather than Arizona, had been selected to host the 2010 Republican National Convention. Perhaps the strategy of demonizing an entire demographic won’t pan out the way Arizona conservatives bet it would. I know I hope it doesn’t.

photo courtesy of sohum via Flickr

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dynamite S.

6:29AM PDT on May 13, 2011

Shocking Excerpts Read at Tucson School Board Meeting From A Book Used In The Controversial Ethic Studies Curriculum For Grades 3rd - 12th (Content Warring)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZzovZasFms

AS you listen, keep in mind that this is read by/taught to 3rd GRADERS!

send a green star

robert p.

5:34AM PDT on Jun 28, 2010

people watch the video!!!!!!!!!!!!

JULIE C.

6:25PM PDT on Jun 27, 2010

Jessica, I've decided you do nothing better than promote IGNORANCE. Afterall, I have yet to see you print the TRUTH, you're more concerned w/ making an impact using LIES.

Check out the latest:
Arizona Parkland CLOSED TO AMERICANS!
This from FOX NEWS:

http://www.personalliberty.com/feature-video/mexicans-take-over-parts-of-arizona/

IF MEXICANS WANT OUT OF MEXICO SO BAD, WHY TRY SO HARD TO MAKE AMERICA JUST ANOTHER 'PIG-STY'?!
& WHEN IS OBUMMA GOING TO START SUPPORTING THE AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTEAD OF PLAYING PATTY-CAKE W/ THE MEXICAN GOV'T?!
I WANT MY STATE BACK!!!

4:45PM PDT on Jun 24, 2010

http://www.numbersusa.com/petition

Janice P.

4:34PM PDT on Jun 24, 2010

Pieklo, again? For heaven's sake, move on to some other topic. Truly, you are beginning to wear out your welcome.

9:50PM PDT on Jun 6, 2010

its not about latinos its about illegals being criminals, more of your propaganda
STOP ALREADY!!!!!!

9:48PM PDT on Jun 6, 2010

again 8 to 11 million illegals working, dry up those jobs through mandatory e-verify, larger fines and jail terms for employers who hire them, revoke their business licenses for multiple offenceses. 26 million out of work. this number down by more than 1/3. governments spend less on social services, unemployment, suppoting illegals because they start leaving on their own. this now creates state and federal reveue and less spending all this at very little cost pass a few bills. pass employee free choice act already give workers some rights back. now people have money they spend retail then grows, more jobs hence more revenue. this leaves the feds and states to better protect the border more jobs more revenue. less money spent on government programs. people open daycares more jobs more revenue.states and feds spend on roads and other projects. more people have more money retail grows more, so on and so forth. next stop out sourcing, remove tax credits and tax them for such actions. slow down legal immigration, train our own people, use the people we alredy have trained for jobs they take. unemployment not solved, but more than 1/2 way there. pull out of iraq and afganistan. save lots right there. use our military on the borders their already payed for. more of our countrymen home and they also spend, retail grows. this is a win win except for the criminal illegal. owe!!last but not least stop anchor babies for illegals.this is not rocket science.this is what america needs.

9:43PM PDT on Jun 6, 2010

Jessica Pieklo lady your so on this race card and discrimintory propaganda. what are practicing to be a politician? lies lies and more lies. enough lady you throw out 1/2 facts you can use and bull your way through the rest. praying some blind humanitarian will jump on your band wagon. hopefully i can deter as many as possible with the whole facts and the truth only 2% in agriculture over 30% in construction, they are job by job destroying this country, patriotism and humanity starts at home. americans for americans, simple as that. once we fix our own problems, them we can try to fix others, by being a true example and role model.

9:33PM PDT on Jun 6, 2010

2010 (THIS PAGE LAST UPDATED: March 11, 2010)

67% of U.S. voters say that "illegal immigrants are a significant strain on the U.S. budget." Of voters polled, two-out-of-three (66 percent) said the availability of government money and services draw illegal immigrants to the United States and 68 percent said gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already living in the United States. Of particular importance, 80 percent of voters said the issue of immigration will be somewhat important in determining how they will vote in the next congressional election; half (50 percent) said it will be very important to them. (Rasmussen Reports, March 3, 2010).

76% of Born-Again Protestants support immigration enforcement that pushes illegal aliens out of the country while only 12% support legalization. 64% of Mainline Protestants and Catholics prefer enforcement while only 24% support legalization or amnesty. 43% of American Jews prefer enforcement while 40% prefer legalization. ZOGBY POLL December 2009

59% of executives (e.g., CEOs, CFOs, etc.), 67% of small business owners, and 58% of union households support enforcement of our immigration laws over granting amnesty to illegal aliens. This is in stark contract to the push for Amnesty by the US Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, and the Service Employees International Union. ZOGBY Poll February, 2010

52% of Hispanics, 57% of Asian-Americans, and 50% of African-Americ