By: Alexander Cain
New Year’s Day is often a time to reflect on the past and make new promises for the future. The state of Arizona used the opportunity to enact the end of ethnic studies in the state. The bill, HB 2281, bans schools in Arizona public schools from teaching classes that promote a specific ethnic group and resentment among groups. The bill also bans classes that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government. While the bill has been received to harsh reviews, the intentions are good and well-thought. Ethnic courses are often intended to show the plight and successes of ethnic groups; but in reality they cause unease and tension between minority groups and their white American counterparts.
The biggest drawback of ethnic classes is that these classes often don’t provide cohesion; but in fact, causes more separation between different ethnic groups. Ethnic classes are often focused towards the unfair treatment of ethnic minority groups by the United States government and white Americans. Rather than focusing on the ethnic community empowerment throughout the centuries, ethnic courses are more predicated to imparting horrifying details of America’s past. While government has made its fair share of mistakes, the American history is a very dynamic story of triumphs and struggles. To only focus on the tribulations of American government can only cause feelings of frustration towards the government for students in these ethnic courses.
While ethnic courses’ aim to impart knowledge of specific ethnic groups with those unfamiliar with their prospective plights, in reality many of the courses are filled with students of the similar ethnic group. The large majority of students majoring and participating in these ethnic courses are minorities who might already have previous knowledge. Because the courses are often optional for many students, and thus many white students aren’t taking advantage of the opportunity of learning another ethnic groups which could drive cohesion among different ethnic groups.
Students not only learn about their prospective history, but also gain understanding of other’s history as well if ethnic courses are taught in the right environment. Because ethnic courses aren’t requirements for all students, it only perpetuates ethnic isolation because many of the student participants are learning about their own ethnicity. With the right structure, ethnic courses can change from a segregating education to a rewarding experience which allows different people to understand many perspectives other than their own. Ethnic courses must be a requisite for all students and students must select courses outside their own ethnic group to allow for students to go outside their comfort zone and truly understand one another.
Banning of ethnic studies is a good thing because it will force ethnic studies professors to address these issues and school administrators to address why ethnic studies are an essential course in a student’s curriculum.
Why the Banning of Ethnic Studies Is A Good Thing,
Smike
6 Mar 2011First, I’d like to ask why does social cohesion deserve such a priority? If people are willing to waste their money on these classes (I know I did) then why not let them?
Ray Rife
7 Mar 2011I think I get your premise but it’s wrong. The only thing this bill does is continue fear and censorship.
I’ve never took an “ethnic studies” course where it just focused on being a certain ethnicity and how bad the big bad white man was to them. What academic growth comes out of that? Nope, they all DID discuss the plights of ethnic groups..and like it or not, most groups, even those who lack melanin in their skin experienced some sort of unfair treatment. This is called history.
What is wrong with people learning about their culture and ethnicity in an academic environment? One could argue, and they do, that without these classes all we do is learn the European perspective of the world. Now, is that inclusion or exclusion?
Again, it’s nothing but fear and censorship.
Ever heard of “if you don’t know your history you are doomed to repeat it.’
Raelea C. Phillips
9 Mar 2011Your arguement is valid and well spoken. However, I am not sure whether or not I agree with you. Truthfully I am on the fence about the whole issue.
It reminds me of Affirmative Action in the US. I agree with the original implementation of Affirmative Action in that the intent was to give the minority the chance of equal opportunity and job placement if that minority had an equal or better resume of education and experience. Unfortunately that has not been the case. Many unqualified minorities (ethnic as well as women as a political minority) have been chosen over qualified “white” males. Mostly I do not agree with Affirmative Action as it is practiced today. But like your arguement of banning ethnic studies, I am on the fence regarding Affirmative Action as well. Though it may be giving minorities a chance to better themselves it is actually a slap in the face to those minorities who HAVE received an honest education and worked hard to become qualified.
Affirmative Action like Ethnic Studies in schools looks good on paper, works in theory, but once in practice can become so distorted from its original intent.
Great article!