Arizona Moves to Curb Ethnic Studies

A bill has been approved by the Arizona Legislature that would ban ethnic studies programs in the state, a move that comes on the heels of passage of an extraordinarily controversial anti-immigrant law.

The bill, sent to Gov. Jan Brewer to sign (or possibly veto, but let’s not delude ourselves here), makes it illegal for a school district to teach courses that “promote resentment of a particular race or class of people”—like racist white folks?  —JCL

Fox News:

The new bill would make it illegal for a school district to teach any courses that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government, promote resentment of a particular race or class of people, are designed primarily for students of a particular ethnic group or “advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.”

The bill stipulates that courses can continue to be taught for Native American pupils in compliance with federal law and does not prohibit English as a second language classes. It also does not prohibit the teaching of the Holocaust or other cases of genocide.

Schools that fail to abide by the law would have state funds withheld.

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Ethnic studies programs are at risk if Gov. Jan Brewer signs a bill just passed by the Arizona Legislature.