Matt de la Péna comments about TUSD visit, NY Times story

by David Safier

(h/t to Debbie Reese. I think she should consider herself an honorary, esteemed citizen of Tucson — if she would take that as a compliment.)

I wrote this morning about the NY Times article on author Matt de la Peña's visit to TUSD. I just learned he wrote about it himself. He does lots of speaking appearances, but he commented:

This was the most powerful speaking event I’ve ever done in my life. The students were motivated and intelligent. The teachers were passionate. The librarians were supportive.

Great praise for the caliber of students and staff in the district. And special kudos to Ana Verdugo who loved de la Péna's novels enough to contact him and arrange for the speaking engagement — a first for him.

De la Péna commented on the reasons state officials went to so much trouble to ban the MAS courses and the books used in the curriculum.

It didn’t take long for me to piece together where this was coming from. The folks in charge are scared to death of the growing Mexican population. And letting Mexican kids learn about themselves and their history threatens the security of these folks in charge.

Here are the inspirational words he wrote at the end, which I send out to all the students and teachers who are fighting so hard to regain the classes and the books they love:

It’s truly despicable what they’re attempting to do in Arizona. But the plaintiffs are fighting to get the program back. And in the end, all state officials will have done is create a generation of activists. I met hundreds of these kids. They’re planning to change the world. And believe me, it’s only a matter of time before they do. And I got to hang with them back when! (boldface added)