English Class: Arizona’s state ban on ethnic studies

Courtesy of DIVANEE

The thing that truly makes the United States a democracy is the ability for us as citizen to question the government and learn about different cultures and uprising against the government. Currently in Arizona there has been a ban of books and classes that teach Native American history. What does that mean for me as an African American? A lot because when one minority in the U.S. is been threated all are in trouble. Once any state says that an ethnicity is not worth being taught are talked about it deletes what make the U.S. such a diverse and multicultural place to leave. The band of Native Americans classes and books in Arizona sets the lead way for all things pertaining to minorities such as African Americans, and Latino Americans to be banned.

The two disciplines I will be using are history and political science. I will use history to show how important it is that different cultures are taught in schools. Also I will use history to show how if cultures are ignored they are normally destroyed and we all lose a piece of our selves. Political Science will show the government perspective on learning about different cultures and people. I will also show how different cultures in events have shaped the modern government we have today.

“Arizona’s state ban on ethnic studies—in HB 2281—took effect January 1, and states that no classes can be taught that “promote the overthrow of the United States government; promote resentment toward a race or class of people; are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group; advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.”( ICTMN Staff) This quote shows how they are taking out classes that represent minorities in the United States. History shows that to truly destroy resentment our hate toward a certain ethnicity is to teach their culture. Currently in Arizona they are creating ethnic solidarity. They are saying one culture is more important than another. This does not only affect Native Americans but also African Americans because soon they will begin to ban are studies in schools.

This is a local state government passing this ridicules bill, so what is the national government saying? In my opinion this is an issue that needs to be taken to the Supreme Court because it only has rational outcomes that could threaten and jeopardize all people of color. “Multicultural education helps students understand and affirm their community cultures and helps to free them from cultural boundaries, allowing them to create and maintain a civic community that works for the common good. Multicultural education seeks to actualize the idea of e pluribus Unum within our nation and to create a society that recognizes and respects the cultures of its diverse people, people united within a framework of overarching democratic values. A unified and cohesive democratic society can be created only when the rights of its diverse people are reflected in its institutions, within its national culture, and within its schools, colleges, and universities.” (ncss.org) This quote shows that by teaching about people’s culture it helps others to relate to one another.

The fact is what is currently going on in Arizona is hidden racism. It threatens all people and the country. When we allow ethnicity to stop being taught in schools we lose what are nation was built on. The only way to stop what is happening in Arizona is for us to come together and fight.