Who Gets to Define Ethnic Studies?
By Kenneth P. Monteiro I recently read a piece of legislative hubris from Arizona that purports to ban ethnic studies in public schools. More disturbing than outlawing instruction in the histories, philosophies, literatures, and accomplishments of nonwhite peoples is the alarming effect the Arizona legislation has had on the news media—which has the social power to define reality for others and compel them to believe it. The legislation I am referring to is HB 2281. Now law, it prohibits four kinds of courses: those that promote the overthrow of the United States government, those that promote resentment toward a race or class of people, those designated primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group, and those that advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals. Nowhere does the legislation mention ethnic studies. But ethnic studies is, indeed, anchored in the histories, traditions, literatures, and philosophies of American people of color and their di
