by David Safier
The anti-Ethnic Studies bill just signed by the Accidental Guv would have gotten little more than passing notice in the national press if it didn't come on the heels of SB1070.
But the bill is getting plenty of negative attention (Arizona did it again!) and TUSD is getting positive attention for its Ethnic Studies program.
In a Washington Post blog:
If you think that Arizona state government officials would have something better to do with their time than to go after an ethnic studies program that they don’t like, you’d be wrong.
The governor, Jan Brewer, has signed into law a bill that was passed because the state superintendent of public instruction, Tom Horne, who happens to be running for attorney general, dislikes a Mexican-American studies program in Tucson Unified School District that allows students to learn in history and literature courses about how particular ethnic groups influenced history, the Associated Press reported.
And on Talking Points Memo:
Before Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) signed the state's now notorious immigration bill there seemed to be at least some question about whether she'd sign the bill. But she now seems to have decided to go all in with the anti-immigrant fervor sweeping the state. Brewer yesterday signed a new bill restricting 'ethnic studies' classes in state schools, particularly banning any curriculum which teaches students "to resent or hate other races or classes of people."
We're all the rage. And I don't mean that in a good way.
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A funny thing happened as this bill became a law. Notice that it does not go into effect until after Tom Horne is nolonger State Superintendent. Usually, bills become law within 90 days of the end of the session. Also, notice that the authority to determine a violation is split between the State Board and the Superintendent of Schools.
Don’t get caught up in the rhetoric. Read the situation, not the language. There are plenty of Republicans who don’t like Tom Horne. There are plenty of Republicans who believe in local control. But, Tom needs this bill to prop up his resume, as he runs for Attorny General. There’s a compromise here.
Unfortuately, the pro ethnic studies folks are helping to elect Tom Horne to a more dangerous office. Instead of protesting this law, they should be out campaigning for David Lujan, Vince Rabago, or Felecia Rotellini!