Submitted by Alex Birch on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 17:06.
Arizona schools whose courses “denigrate American values and the teachings of Western civilization” could lose state funding under the terms of legislation approved Wednesday by a House panel.
SB 1108 also would bar teaching practices that “overtly encourage dissent” from those values, including democracy, capitalism, pluralism and religious toleration. Schools would have to surrender teaching materials to the state school superintendent for review, who could withhold state aid of districts that broke the law.
Did anyone follow the logic here? "Your freedom offends my freedom, so I'm going to silence you." Maybe we're not so tolerant after all, if we force all people to apply to our value system? Wasn't state education supposed to be objective and fair for all? Wait, I think I know the truth: "freedom" is just a word and anyone can use it for any purpose. Democracy's duped us once more.
Thanks to Kalle J.
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Another argument for
Another argument for privatized education. The state can restrict what is taught because the state runs the schools.
What exactly were they
What exactly were they teaching?
The United States was
The United States was founded in 1776 on the principles of life, liberty, and the reckless pursuit of happines at any cost—even life and liberty.
Take action to help fight this racist bill
Help fight Ariz. bill to ban ethnic student groups like MEChA, Black Business Students Assoc.
Multiculturalism is a basic American concept. We value the beliefs, traditions, customs, arts, history and folklore of the diverse cultures reflected throughout our nation. All this is being put at risk in Arizona, where last week the Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to a routine homeland security bill, SB 1108 that would prohibit students at the state’s public universities and community colleges from organizing groups based on race (ie: groups such as MEChA, the Black Business Students Association, Native Americans United, etc.)
Please take action today. This bill could reach the Arizona House floor as early as this week. Go to: http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/sb1108
According to newspaper reports, Rep. John Kavanagh, (R-Scottsdale), a supporter of the measure called these campus organizations, "'self-defeating' and 'self-destructive' for students."
Self-defeating? Multiculturalism doesn't limit students. It gives them pride in who they are and enhances their being fuller people by fostering the concept of America being the land of opportunity. As Cesar Chavez said, "Preservation of one's culture doesn’t mean contempt for others'."
These student groups are like any other school club or fraternity. They bring students together so they can achieve academic success. They offer a place to meet, make friends and support one another. Their goal is to help students succeed. For example, the members of the University of Arizona's MEChA chapter visit high schools to encourage students to attend college. They hold events and fundraisers to spread the message that education is the key to success.
The bill goes one step further. It also would ban public schools or colleges from including race-based classes or school sponsored activities. Officially the language says it would ban any activity "deemed contradictory to the values of American democracy or Western civilization." However, the language is so broad, who knows what could be prohibited? Certainly Chicano studies, African-American studies & other ethnic studies programs would be put at risk.
Studies show that students who learn about their race and culture have a lower drop-out rate. In truth, if this bill passes it could cause a huge set back in our educational system.
Please take immediate action. If you live in Arizona, e-mail your representatives immediately as well as the Speaker of the House. If you live outside Arizona, please e-mail the Arizona Speaker of the House today and let him know the eyes of the nation are on Arizona.
Take Action at: http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/sb1108
What a disapointment.
I read about this a while ago and was repulsed. What a shame it is that we can learn about the heritage of Europeans and early American settlers, but when we begin to learn about the history of our own (I only say our own because I am Hispanic) we are told its racist. Its really enraging. This is why I will never trust public education, because what is taught to the masses is limited, and one sided. Democracy, what a joke it really did turn out to be.