Post reading for week 1

Reading the three articles by Whitson, State of Arizona, and Monteiro, I was able to understand why ethnic studies are a big fuss all over the world. Many people, the government mostly believe that by having ethnic studies taught in school, it can somehow overthrow the current government. That’s why Arizona created the House of Bill 2281; because they saw ethnic studies as a threat to their power. They believed that by writing out a law that stated all of the consequences if ethnic studies still continued, it can scare them. I don’t know if this is exactly right but I think the problems that the 1968 strikers wanted ethnic studies to address was like the racial tension between like the white people and the black people. For example, the editor of the gater was attacked by a group of black people because he wrote an article stating that he and other people were not comfortable having a Black Student Union. Another example would be George Murray. He wanted black students to carry guns at school to protect themselves from anyone who was racist against them. I also believe that one of the problems that the 1968 strikers wanted ethnic studies to address was like the promotion of diversity. They wanted to voice out their opinion and thoughts on how maybe society can be changed. If a conversation between an HB 2281 and a 1986 striker happened, it would probably go with the striker saying that ethnic studies is not a promotion of resentment toward a race or class of people nor will it ever be the promotion of the overthrow of the United States government. Then the HB 2281 will retaliate by maybe saying that by teaching ethnic studies you are creating another racial tension between this group and another group just like during the 1968 strike at San Francisco State University.  The arguments Tom Horne is making against teaching Ethnic studies in the Tuscon Unified School District is that by teaching ethnic studies, they are separating different individuals or races as to oppose to teaching every single different culture in social studies as a unity. He also goes on by arguing that most people come to America because it’s the land of opportunity and that these people trust the schools to teach their kids about how America is the land of opportunity and that if they work hard, they can reach their dream instead of oppressing it. Although this is very true, I disagree with this argument. I believe that learning ethnic studies is not going to oppress anyone. I mean sure it might bring some feelings and emotions, but not to the point where they will take action and go on strike. Like I don’t believe that being oppressed will stop students from reaching their goal. In fact, it depends on the individual and how determined they are to reaching their goal. It has nothing to do ethnic studies and how it can affect their learning. The arguments Dyson is making in favor of ethnic studies is that by teaching ethnic studies, anyone from different backgrounds or color can learn ethnic study classes. He believes that white Americans can benefit from all of the different ethnic study classes that are being taught. I totally agree with this statement because by taking different classes other than your heritage, you are basically getting out of your comfort zone. You are able to learn about the different foods, traditions, beliefs, etc that they have. You will be able to realize the history and the hardship that they had to go through. If one of my family members asked me about opinion about this controversy, I would tell them that ethnic studies should be taught in school. That having ethnic studies will not oppress anyone’s feelings and if it does, it all depends on the individual and how they take it. Just because someone feels that way doesn’t mean everyone will.

 

 

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