Thread: Guest opinion: Raza studies gives rise to racial hostility

Does anyone know how to stop this Gijalva guy? This is sedition and we need to do something about it. What does it take to impeach a Representative?

Grijalva has such a safe seat, that the only thing that would befall him is ill health. He is 60 years old and overweight...

He also has his successors picked out already and they are just like him...

Listen to the school Superintendent talking on a local radio station about this subject. (I hope it works)

http://www.1041thetruth.com/Portals/57/0522%

Also, this article was run in the same paper today by a guy who embraces the "Raza Studies Program" at the Tucson Unified School District.


Guest Opinion: Raza studies and the legislation of thought control
ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ
Tucson Citizen
For the past generation, those who have been clamoring for walling the U.S./Mexico border like to portray the immigration debate as a war over American values and Western civilization.
Some even link it to the "war on terror."
While some who specialize in scapegoating do not bother to code their dislike of brown peoples, others are quick to emphasize that they are anti-illegal immigrant, not anti-immigrant.
And yet many of their proposals - which call for a national language and the elimination of ethnic studies, while encouraging massive racial profiling - have little to do with illegal immigration.
For example, Arizona state Rep. Russell Pearce's proposal to amend SB 1108 would prohibit tax dollars to be spent on public schools that "denigrate American values and the teaching of Western civilization."
It also would prohibit race-based organizations in public schools.
Clearly, his proposal has nothing to do with "illegal immigration" as his primary target is the elimination of Raza Studies at Tucson Unified School District - a national leader in K-12 curriculum development - and MEChA - Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano De Aztlan.
Neither of these exemplary educational organizations needs defending. Rather, it is those who are attempting to legislate censorship and thought control who need defending.
Incidentally, Pearce's proposal would target not just the above-named educational groups, but any or all that are "race-based." This potentially also includes groups or organizations that focus on American Indian, African-American, Asian-American, Jewish and Catholic issues, etc.
Pearce's amendment states: "A public school in this state shall not include within the program of instruction any courses, classes or school-sponsored activities that promote, assert as truth or feature as an exclusive focus any political, religious, ideological or cultural beliefs or values that denigrate, disparage or overtly encourage dissent from the values of American Democracy and Western civilization, including democracy, capitalism, pluralism and religious toleration."
Because there's no consensus on these topics, or on their definitions, it would be impossible to enforce such amendments.
For instance, would teachers be able to teach that torture and the U.S. "right" to wage permanent war against any nation - regardless if there is a moral justification - constitute American values?
Or would they teach that they are aberrations of American values?
Would they teach that favoring corporate profits at the expense of workers and the environment is an American value - or an aberration?
Truthfully, Americans have faced similar dilemmas since this nation's founding. In fact, it is a dilemma since the arrival of Europeans to this continent.
Did indigenous and African peoples have souls and were they fully human? Were they entitled to full human rights, including the right to their own spiritual beliefs and cultures?
Such questions led to land theft, genocide and forced conversions and assimilation. It also led to slavery, even close to 100 years after the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It also led to unjustified and continued U.S. military interventions throughout the Americas.
Not forgotten is that African- Americans, American Indians and women were deprived of full citizenship and their full humanity - including the right to vote - for at least the first 100 years of the republic.
Asians and Mexicans (who also suffered massive land theft) also were subject to exclusion and mass repatriations. All these groups were subject to defacto and dejure segregation and discrimination.
What is the American value: the right of all to be treated fully human or the maintenance of that racial and gender pecking order?
Taken to its logical conclusion, under Pearce's proposal, teachers and students wouldn't be permitted to study these topics and ask these questions. This points to what is wrong with education in America: politicians, not educators, are now in control of the classroom.
U.S. history has been well-served by a struggle over what constitutes "American" and human values (the two have not always been synonymous). Without that struggle, slavery, legalized segregation, discrimination and dehumanization would still be in effect today.
Fortunately, the march of history (and human rights) is always forward. Apparently, not in Pearce's America.
Roberto Rodriguez, Ph.D., is a research associate in Mexican-American Studies at the University of Arizona. E-mail: XColumn @gmail.com
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Comments on this Story Write a letter to the Editor142 Total Comments — See All Comments
1. Comment by 1broken 1. (1broKen1) — May 23,2008 @ 12:20AM

Nice try, you POS..Try being an AMERICAN FIRST...Oh well, I guess it's easier to put America down than try to be a part of it..


2. Comment by Steve H. (#4002) — May 23,2008 @ 3:20AM

Not allowing ourselves to be badgered into accepting someone else's point of view and not accepting being told what to think are extremely American traits.

Speaking up is also extremely American -- so much so that we cherish it as our First Amendment.

Calling people names and shouting them down is just embarrassing. For you.


3. Comment by Jon J. (jmjustice) — May 23,2008 @ 3:52AM

This is classic:

"his primary target is the elimination of Raza Studies at Tucson Unified School District - a national leader in K-12 curriculum development - and MEChA - Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano De Aztlan. Neither of these exemplary educational organizations needs defending. "

Just completely ingnore the realities of what is being taught in the Raza Studies.

Keep the pressure up on the issue.

http://www.1041thetruth.com/TheTruthLin ... fault.aspx

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/opinion/86099.php

I have read that Tucson, Arizona is visioned as the "tip of the spear" in regards to illegal immigration issues. What I did not know before I read these articles is which way the spear tip was pointing!

Measure backs 'American values' in state schools

April 16, 2008 - 9:51PM

Howard Fischer,
Capitol Media Services
(Comments 13)

Arizona schools whose courses "denigrate American values and the teachings of Western civilization" could lose state funding under the terms of legislation approved Wednesday by a House panel.

SB1108 also would bar teaching practices that "overtly encourage dissent" from those values, including democracy, capitalism, pluralism and religious tolerance. Schools would have to surrender teaching materials to the state superintendent of public instruction, who could withhold state aid from districts that broke the law.

Another section of the bill would bar public schools, community colleges and universities from allowing organizations to operate on campus if it is "based in whole or in part on race-based criteria," a provision Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said is aimed at MEChA, the Moviemiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, a student group.

The 9-6 vote by the Appropriations Committee sends the measure to the full House.

The legislation appears aimed largely at the Tucson Unified School District, whose "Raza Studies" program has annoyed some people. Tucson resident Laura Leighton read lawmakers sections of some books used in classrooms which she said promote hatred.

If the proposal becomes law, however, it would have a statewide reach. And that concerned even some lawmakers who voted for it, saying the language of what would and would not be prohibited is "vague."

Tucson school officials have said the program under fire has helped Hispanic students improve their academic achievement by building pride and focusing on their cultural heritage.

But Pearce, who crafted the measure, said the program doesn't stop there. He said taxpayers are funding "hate speech paid for by tax dollars."

And Pearce said some of the teachings amount to "sedition" by suggesting that the current border between the United States and Mexico disappear, with Mexico - and Hispanics - taking over the American Southwest.

Leighton had specific problems with a text called "Occupied America," a book touted by its publisher as examining Chicano history from the coming of the Spanish in 1519.

She read one line which said "kill the gringos." Another talked about a plan to take back the U.S. Southwest and deport all the Europeans.

A closer look, at the book, though, showed the line about the gringos was a quote from someone referenced. And that the plan to take back the area was not urging current action but instead detailing one pushed by Mexico in 1915.

Leighton, however, said she and others who reviewed the course work believe it is unacceptable.

"We find hate and revolution is being taught in their books," she testified. "We found a denigration and disparagement of American values and a subversion of our history."

Anna Graves said she believes schools are promoting a double standard with such programs.

"If we were to have a group of white citizens teaching white culture only for the white children, it would be totally and absolutely inappropriate in a country that is a country of diversity," said Graves, a Mexican immigrant now a U.S. citizen.

"I absolute deplore people who come from another country and do not want anything to do with the culture, the language or anything that has to do with the government," Graves said. She said they are in this country to send back money to relatives elsewhere and "are not here to provide loyalty."

Rep. Peter Rios, D-Dudleyville, said that kind of attitude ignores the United States as a "culture of diversity."

"What is the downside of students learning about their culture along with the American culture, value and mores?" he asked. Graves said nothing - as long as it's not just Hispanic culture being taught.

More to the point, Graves said it's the job of parents to teach children about their own ethnic background and culture.

"Not everybody had what you had," Rios responded. "So some of these children have to pick up some of this positive self-image building at the school because they're not getting it at home, they're not getting it in the barrios of the neighborhood."

And Rios suggested there was a reason to have programs aimed at teaching Hispanic youngsters about their heritage.

"At the end of the day, we all know the history books are written by the victors," he said. "And we didn't win too many of our battles coming from a Hispanic culture."

Pearce said nothing in the Legislature precludes teaching about various cultures. What he opposes, he said, are the "hateful, despicable comments" becoming part of public education. What would be illegal, Pearce said, are "race-based" classes.

"Nobody would stand here, I suspect, and try to defend the KKK teachings at a Tucson school or anywhere else," he said.

House Minority Leader Phil Lopes, D-Tucson, said lawmakers should butt out of the controversy. He said decisions of curriculum should be left to local school boards.

But Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, said lawmakers are entitled to regulate the use of tax dollars taken from Arizonans and "demand that our publicly funded education teach and inculcate our youth, our children with the values that make America what it is, the greatest and most free nation in the world."

Biggs, however, conceded the language of what would be prohibited is "somewhat vague" and probably needs work.

Rep. David Schapira, D-Tempe, said it is more than vague. He questioned what it means to "overtly encourage dissent" from the values of American democracy and Western civilization.

School board and superintendents' lobbyists signed in as opposed to the measure but did not speak. Nor did Sam Polito, Tempe schools lobbyist, saying it made no sense to try to derail Pearce's bill in a committee he chairs.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/114048

As someone suggested, this teacher does deserve a medal.

I am completely disgusted after reading this account of raw anti-Americanism, racism and despicable behavior.

Clearly, La Raza is a criminal organization and should be treated as such. I will be compiling a list of all contributors and post it around the web - encouraging boycott. This kind of racism inflicted upon white Americans by ungrateful, opportunistic, racist, radical, minorities and migrants is undeserved and it is high time for Americans to stand up for America. Advocating for Americans, even white Americans, should be completely justified as long as every other contingency is advocating on their own behalf. I'm sick of the dishonesty, double standards, anti-Americanism - and will not participate in the pervasive political correctness that tolerates the kind of reverse-discrimination and reverse racism we see evidence of in this teacher's story.

Please join me in doing everything humanly and legally possible to shut La Raza and the like down, and put those behind them in prison if possible.

Originally Posted by AmericanMe

Welcome to ALIPAC, "DonaldH"!!! Great article!

This is America...why is the racist, Marxist, separatist organization, LaRaza, even ALLOWED to interfere with our school system? Why are ALL of the corporate Elites funding them....
The Razas are the RACISTS and the Corporations are funding them! Get them out of our schools, our lives, and our country!

This is not all the elitists are funding to promote WORLD GOVERNMENT. They fund the eco-terrorism groups (yes that's right, big Oilman Rockefeller and his foundations) and they fund all other sorts of radical stuff to break down our culture and make people go against the constitution.

If you don't like this, consider the IB program... it's the UN that basically is taking over our schools, since Goals 2000 didn't work. This program is anti-constitution and pro -world government and anti-national sovereignty.

If your schools have www.ibo.org program they should be kicked out. This is how the UN gets to brainwash your kids and take our tax money at the same time.

www.truthaboutib.com

PS - I was a teacher for 40 years so I know -- it's all about global government and ALLEGIANCE TO THE WORLDVIEW OF THE UN.

I am now a crusader against using our children in the schools as political pawns.... education has been coopted for this purpose.

Even in 1946, this is what the NEA said:

"In the struggle to establish an adequate world government, the teacher has many parts to play... He can do much to prepare the hearts and minds of children for global understanding and cooperation... At the very top of all the agencies which will assure the coming of world government must stand the school, the teacher, and the organized profession."

-- National Education Association Journal, 1946

For anyone that is interested, this story can probably be found in the archives because it has been posted on ALIPAC before.

Welcome to ALIPAC, Donald. I hope to see you become active on the forums.

I'm trying to add this as my sig line but it keeps telling me I'm using illegal HTML. There is no HTML that I can see.

In the struggle to establish an adequate world government, the teacher has many parts to play. He can do much to prepare the hearts and minds of children for global understanding and cooperation. At the very top of all the agencies which will assure the coming of world government must stand the school, the teacher, and the organized profession. Quote in the National Education Association Journal, 1946

Anyone know what is wrong?