Powerful statement on Ethnic Studies by Carlos Alcala, Chair, Chicano Latino Caucus, California Democratic Party

Powerful statement on Ethnic Studies by Carlos Alcala, Chair, Chicano Latino Caucus, California Democratic Party:

"Latinos and Blacks want Ethnic Studies to stem the tide of racial hatred that threatens our nation now.  If children are taught tolerance there may not be another EL Paso Walmart shooting incident or another murderous attack on an African American church service. These two groups are protected because they have endured a "stigma of opprobrium" due to skin color.  You cannot convert to Black or Brown skin. Skin color is an indelible characteristic. There is an urgency to the plight of minority communities."

Education is inescapably linked to consciousness and how one views the world. Ethnic Studies holds promise for a better world.

-Angela Valenzuela

#EthnicStudiesNow 

  By Carlos Alcala, Chair Chicano Latino Caucus, California Democratic Party

      In a completely unexpected action, the California Governor joined Arizona as one of the few states where a Governor has vetoed Chicano Studies, but we may be the only state where a Governor vetoed both Black Studies and Chicano Studies bills.  The California Department of Education had designed programs that focus on the American civil rights movements. 

Latinos and Blacks want Ethnic Studies to stem the tide of racial hatred that threatens our nation now.  If children are taught tolerance there may not be another EL Paso Walmart shooting incident or another murderous attack on an African American church service. These two groups are protected because they have endured a "stigma of opprobrium" due to skin color.  You cannot convert to Black or Brown skin. Skin color is an indelible characteristic. There is an urgency to the plight of minority communities.

     When Ethnic Studies finally passed, the Governor vetoed it to because it was not inclusive enough.  The Governor received pressure from other groups who felt the model curriculum was not inclusive enough. So when California finally passed Ethnic Studies, critics decided Ethnic Studies should not be taught because it is not inclusive enough.  Critics miss the point.  This is a de ja vous of "white lives matter."  Telling the country that Black Lives Matter is not an attack on white people.  It is an urgent call for justice.  "White Lives Matter" would make it more inclusive but it misses the point that injustice to People of Color is a huge problem.

     Even notoriously conservative Texas now has Ethnic Studies in the curriculum.

     All people do matter, as do all groups, but teaching Black Studies and Chicano Studies in the curriculum needs to happen now.  If need be expand it in the future, but understand that Latinos are over 50% of the school kids and need positive teaching now. 

    The Governor will send staff to the California Department of Education to convince them of the error of their ways.  How long will that take?

     We would be even more upset if the Governor had vetoed a meaningful Ethnic Studies bill.  As it is the California Assemblyman who sponsored AB 331, Assemblyman Jose Medina gutted the bill, then the Governor vetoed the remaining shell.      

     The Legislature needs to get its act together.  The country is in the throes of racial unrest fueled by racial hatred. Ethnic studies offers a path to combating the toxic racial malady that erodes our national fabric. There is little reason for California to be following the lead of Texas on Ethnic Studies.  Many of us took our elected officials support for Ethnic Studies as a no brainer, but we were wrong to do so. In the coming elections we will have to demand to know candidate's positions before we decide to support them.  Too much trust does not go a long way.  

     We have enormous faith in the ability of Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, Chair of the Appropriations Committee to repair the damage,  The Governor is out of step with the Latino and Black communities on this issue. It detracts from his wonderful accomplishments elsewhere.  

     Vote today, make your voice heard. Your Democracy needs you.    

Melissa M. Moreno, Ph.D.

Ethnic Studies Educator 

Cultural Exhibit Designer