Majority Studies Only
Today Arizona legislators in their infinite wisdom passed legislation which would ban Ethnic Studies Courses (except those that pertain to Native Americans which are protected by the federal government). The logic behind this newly endorsed law is that it is in the best interest of the people of Arizona to not have students taking courses which seek to promote ethnic division and or ethnic chauvinism and which cause ethnic resentment.
It appears to me that this is not a very logically sound argument. One of the Republican senators who pushed the legislation said that in one Latino American Studies Course a speaker told the students that Republicans don’t like Latinos.
If we presume that the statement in question was actually spoken and that the Republicans would like to disprove what is expressed therein how is it that we find ourselves at a point where legislation is pushed by Republicans which denies courses in Latino American Studies (as well as African American Studies and other courses).
It would seem like in passing the legislation the Republicans are only proving the point of the speaker.
The fact is, much of what we learn about American History is taught through a Eurocentric lens. If one is ever looking for a more rich and dynamic explanation of America as it was formed it is essential that these courses exist.
We live in a country where African Americans get one month dedicated to their achievements (the shortest month as a matter of fact) despite the fact that we have fought and died in every war since before the states were united. Native Americans get a week and Latino Americans get the benefit of us using a holiday that they barely celebrate as a reason to get cheap specials on tacos and tequila (see cinco de mayo).
The passing of this new legislation in Arizona sets a dangerous precedent for our country. We are quickly approaching a time when the majority of the people in the country will be brown (skinned), and we can not afford to have students and professionals ill prepared to live in this new world without having the proper cultural knowledge.
From the time we are in kindergarten we take Ethnic Studies Courses (see almost every social studies course), they are just not courses which speak to or through our cultural frame work. We don’t even have a choice or chance to engage in deeper understandings of America through our cultural lens until we reach College, and shortly after graduation we are (in most cases) placed into a corporate world which has still yet to embrace the unique characteristics that people of color bring to an organization.
We often times have to pattern our mannerisms and hair styles after a corporate model which was formed without us in mind (see good hair).
We live in a country which undermines depth of our (people of color) story at every turn and in every aspect of the media.
Is it really so much to ask that little brown boys and girls have the opportunity to take a course which allows them to see themselves within the fabric of America?
If Arizona Republicans want to do something to stop the breeding of resentment, they can start by not being so insensitive.
By denying ethnic studies they are making a bold statement which seems to say that the only things worth studying are those things that the majority approve of, and that is setting a dangerous precedent.
After all in just under 40 years, that very train of thought may come back to bite them when they (Caucasian males) are no longer the dominant cultural influence in America.
