César Chávez is celebrated with a state holiday in California, but in Arizona the state legislature banned teaching about him.
Arizona’s incendiary anti-immigration and anti-Latino culture laws include a ban on the teaching of ethnic studies in public schools. Written and spearheaded by Republican Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, the bill blocks “La Raza Studies” and Mexican American Studies.” Horne said that ethnic studies divide students based on race teaches them that they have been oppressed and instill hate into students that may promote an overthrow of the U.S. government. Eleven Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) teachers, administrators and students are suing Arizona to overturn the bill.
A powerful documentary called “Precious Knowledge” makes the case that conservatives in Arizona are attempting to roll back civil rights. “Precious Knowledge” is being screened across the country to illustrate Arizona’s plight while asking for donations to help in the legal battle.
Southwestern College’s MEChA club screened the film this month for an emotional gathering.
MEChA Adviser Brandon Luna said he felt important to film the screen here to raise awareness to the situation.
“We are fortunate that we have not faced the same type of intimidation and, quite frankly, highly-flawed logic and fallacious arguments used to end the program. But we do face the challenges of major budget cuts and the pattern at other colleges and universities has been to target the “non-essential” programs such as ethnic studies or other culturally-based studies and disciplines.”
Luna said he feels that the community can do a lot for “la causa” in Arizona by spreading the word, notifying elected officials, donating to the cause
“I think the students and faculty of Southwestern College, the community and other concerned citizens should not take for granted our opportunities to continue having ethnic studies-based course on our campus,” he said. “If we do, we may run the risk of being eliminated as well.”
Miguel Camacho, 26, a political science major, said that showing “Precious Knowledge” is important to the community of Chula Vista to promote awareness.
“I thought it was really inspiring and really interesting,” said Camacho. “It’s bringing the truth out into the light. This truth comes with a treatment to a specific culture. They call it racism when we’re teaching children but when we’re being targeted that’s what is racist.”
SWC Counselor Norma Cazares said she felt the documentary was powerful.
“It’s unfortunate that here we are in 2012 and we’re still struggling with issues that I personally struggled with in 1968,” said Cazares. “It looks like things haven’t changed much.”
Pricilla Ortiz, one of the students who appeared in the film, said if the community stands together and fights for their rights, it can make a difference.
“Don’t look at Arizona as the only place this is occurring, it is also occurring in other states,” said Ortiz. “We are stronger together than what we are apart.”
Cazares said it was important to bring light to these issues because that is the only way it can lead to solutions.
“It can happen in any city, any state, in the nation,” she said. “Being neighbors to Arizona, that could no doubt carry over into California. If it’s not stopped it could go to the university system.”
The SWC community needs to get involved, said Cazares.
“I think we need to continue to call attention to this issue,” she said. “Not only for our college but for our whole community.”
Luna said that the situation in Arizona is something that needs to be discussed everywhere to help further the goals of “Precious Knowledge.”
“I believe that bills such as SB1070 and the elimination of TUSD’s MAS program are essentially debates about identity, history, and what it means to be of Mexican origin in the United States,” he said. “The history of this country is not without its warts, nor is it wholly negative but failing to acknowledge the successes, mistakes, controversies and failures of our past does a major disservice to the story as a whole.”
“Precious Knowledge” will be airing in PBS on May 17.