Mexican American studies in Arizona have been accredited with increasing the graduation rates and improving students test scores on standardized tests in Arizona. The Tucson School District has aimed to ban ethnic studies under the guase that such course breed resentment in the students that took those specific classes against whites as well as hatred and that they also promoted division. Members of the state board view these classes not as educational, but as away to nurture future activist who might try to overthrow the us government.
While those who are in support of the laws passed that ban the teaching of Mexican American studies believe it’s essentially, a way to brainwash the youth, and indoctrinate it’s students the students and teachers …show more content…
In Henry Giroux’s essay, Insurgent Multiculturalism and the Promise of Pedagogy, he states that “Multiculturalism can be defined through a variety of idealogical constructs and signifies a terrain of struggle around the reformation of historical memory, national identity, self- and social representation, and the politics of difference” (35). Giroux is stating that embracing and teaching different cultures and their ancestral heritage 's will have a multitude of positive effects in the individual student and the community as a whole. It’s appropriate to teach the students of Arizona about their culture and heritage and it’s statically proven to be academically successful as well. Not only do Mexican American studies benefit chicano students to learn about their own history, but it can also be beneficial to their peers as well. Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education said, “While students of color must wrestle with the implications of race in their everyday lives, it’s also important for white students to understand how the exclusion of diverse perspectives and voices from the curriculum means that we do not yet have the society that we deserve,” Thomas …show more content…
Taking Mexican American studies out of schools in Arizona not only effects the students at schools such as Tucson High Magnet School, but also the surrounding community. “The collectivity of many different racial and ethnic groups that comprise the society does not threaten American culture or its identity” ( Issue Summary 3). Teaching students about where they come from does not have to be a bad thing. Historically the different races and cultures that are apart of America have not always been treated the same or as fair as the majority race. Having classes that teach Latin students about their culture dies nothing to dispel that
While those who are in support of the laws passed that ban the teaching of Mexican American studies believe it’s essentially, a way to brainwash the youth, and indoctrinate it’s students the students and teachers …show more content…
In Henry Giroux’s essay, Insurgent Multiculturalism and the Promise of Pedagogy, he states that “Multiculturalism can be defined through a variety of idealogical constructs and signifies a terrain of struggle around the reformation of historical memory, national identity, self- and social representation, and the politics of difference” (35). Giroux is stating that embracing and teaching different cultures and their ancestral heritage 's will have a multitude of positive effects in the individual student and the community as a whole. It’s appropriate to teach the students of Arizona about their culture and heritage and it’s statically proven to be academically successful as well. Not only do Mexican American studies benefit chicano students to learn about their own history, but it can also be beneficial to their peers as well. Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education said, “While students of color must wrestle with the implications of race in their everyday lives, it’s also important for white students to understand how the exclusion of diverse perspectives and voices from the curriculum means that we do not yet have the society that we deserve,” Thomas …show more content…
Taking Mexican American studies out of schools in Arizona not only effects the students at schools such as Tucson High Magnet School, but also the surrounding community. “The collectivity of many different racial and ethnic groups that comprise the society does not threaten American culture or its identity” ( Issue Summary 3). Teaching students about where they come from does not have to be a bad thing. Historically the different races and cultures that are apart of America have not always been treated the same or as fair as the majority race. Having classes that teach Latin students about their culture dies nothing to dispel that