Horne simply refuses to tell a story straight

by David Safier

This should be an easy one for Horne. Going after Ethnic Studies in the state that gave you SB1070 shouldn't take any messing around with the facts. Enough people will be shocked and horrified and frightened simply because the courses discuss how Hispanics have been treated historically, how they are being treated today and how people might react when faced with prejudice and injustice.

But that's not enough for Horne. As always, he needs to put his finger on the scales.

Thanks to Alexis Huicochea for pointing this out in her story in this morning's Star.

Horne is basing his arguments against Ethnic Studies on its alleged violation of one part of HB2281: that it is "designed primarily for students of a particular ethnic group." To "prove" his contention, he pulls a few sentences from the TUSD website which make it sound like the program is designed only with Hispanics in mind, and he ignores what follows, which talks about the value to non-Hispanics who take the courses.

As evidence, Horne points to TUSD's website, which states the components for the model under which the program was developed are: "For Latino students, each of these components creates both a Latino academic identity and an enhanced level of academic proficiency. The end result is an elevated state of Latino academic achievement."

What Horne fails to include in his findings is that the description goes on to say: "For Latino students, the model serves as a mirror; for non-Latino students, the model serves as a window into cultural, historical and social understanding."

Horne's written statement about his objections to Ethnic Studies will come out today. Huppenthal hasn't chimed in yet. My guess is, he and Horne have talked extensively about their tag team match against Ethnic Studies as Ed Supe and A.G., and Hupp is sitting quietly on the sidelines taking notes, figuring out exactly what he should say once he takes office.