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Local school and college officials Wednesday blasted the passage of a new Arizona law that bans ethnic studies in public schools, calling it an attack on freedom of speech and minorities.
HB 2281 bans schools in the state from offering classes designed for students of a specific ethnic group or that promote ethnic solidarity.
The bill was signed into law Tuesday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer just three weeks after she approved a controversial anti-illegal immigration law that has prompted nationwide protests, including the Los Angeles City Council's decision Wednesday to boycott Arizona businesses.
Proponents of the school law said it will ensure that students are treated to value each other as individuals and prevent courses from promoting resentment. Opponents though said it only continues a trend of anti-Latino sentiment in Arizona.
"This law is understandable given the lynch mob mentality in Arizona," said Rodolfo Acuña, a California State University Northridge professor emeritus of Chicano studies.
Acuña is commonly referred to as one of the fathers of the Chicano studies movement in the United States, which grew out of Southern California state colleges.
Supporters of the ban, including Arizona schools chief Tom Horne, have specifically mentioned Acuña's book "Occupied America: A History of Chicanos," as one of the texts they want to see eliminated from classroom use because it promotes resentment.
Horne was not available for comment Wednesday.
"If anyone reads my books they would realize that ... this is not a question of being against white people but rather of documenting truth. ... This is history...this is learning," Acuña said.
While the text of the bill does not specifically ask for the elimination of books, local college officials said they know the ban will cut students' access to important and relevant texts like Acuña's.
"This law stifles free speech, it stifles critical information and the expression of a community that has experienced discrimination of all sorts," said David Rodriguez, professor of Chicano studies at CSUN.
All Arizona school districts are expected to comply with the new ban or see up to 10 percent of their state funds withheld.
Currently Tucson Unified has a nationally recognized Chicano studies program that is unique because it is offered to students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Los Angeles Unified officials said they also offer several ethnic studies courses, primarily at the high school level.
LAUSD spokeswoman Lydia Ramos said ethnic studies classes, like specialty math or science classes, are promoted at the district because they enrich basic curriculum and allow students to pursue specific areas of interest.
"Our instruction needs to be rigorous, responsive and culturally relevant," Ramos said.
