Arizona ethnic studies ban reignites discrimination battle
TUCSON - The ethnic-studies program targeted for elimination under a new state law was itself created to help resolve a race-discrimination lawsuit against Tucson public schools.
The program has long drawn fire from critics, most significantly state Superintendent Tom Horne, who says it provokes racism and wants it shut down. Backers of House Bill 2281, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer last week, say it is intended to do that.
But when the Mexican-American studies program began in 1997, it was meant to appease families who had sued the district, alleging segregation and racial inequity across the school system.
The origins of the courses further complicate an issue that has divided the school system and thrust Arizona, yet again, into the national spotlight on issues of race and immigration.
Students and others who defend the program argue that their classes teach students history from a multicultural perspective, and help them analyze public services to find evidence of discrimination. They say the classes have been unfairly demonized.
The result has been several public protests in Tucson, but no agreement yet on whether
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/05/19/20100519arizona-ethnic-studies-lawsuit.html#ixzz0oa0gPD9k