No doubt, there was some great testimony by supporters of Mexican American Studies, including DC-friend, Tony “Librotraficante” Diaz and Recognized author Dagoberto Gilb. Of course, Mexican American Studies was promoted and defended effectively, and it was made known that this would basically be a state-sanctioned elective whose curriculum would be developed and approved by the State and offered to the entire state. It’s a pretty simple proposal.
The discussions also likely will preview some of the coming clashes over the content of new social studies textbooks the board is set to approve for use in classrooms across Texas this fall. In 2010, then Democratic board member Mary Helen Berlanga even stormed out of a meeting on social studies curriculum after failing in her efforts to include more lessons on Hispanic leaders, declaring: “We can just pretend this is a white America and Hispanics don’t exist.”
The best question asked of the SBOE:
“Who will walk with us in this New America and who will turn their backs?” @Librotraficante at #SBOE hearing on #MASTexas
— Stace Medellin (@2centavos) April 8, 2014
Still, that did beg for some questions that didn’t make much sense, but do speak to any future clashes over what is taught in the course.
SBOE member Ken Mercer asks if Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio would be included in a Mexican American studies course #txlege
— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) April 8, 2014
As Diaz noted, the course would have to be approved first before any discussion of what is included could be had.
Obviously, Mercer was attempting to make things political in nature, rather than educational. But I agree with Diaz that if he wants to be a part of the discussion, what better way to get involved than by voting yes.
As far as Cruz’s inclusion, it could be said that maybe 65% of Mexican American voters chose the Anglo Democrat over Cruz and that Cruz constantly votes against Mexican American interests (health care, jobs, education/college aid). At least that’s what I’d contribute. That’s if Mercer really wants to get political. Otherwise, let’s make it about educating kids and move forward.
There was another question about whether indigenous Guatemalans were similar to indigenous Mexicans from SBOE member Hardy, whom I called out yesterday for basically saying Mexican American Studies came from Mexico. At least that’s what I think I heard. But that one would just be too easy to ridicule, considering she’s been a social studies teacher.
One thing is for sure. The naysayers effectively prove through their ignorance that Mexican American Studies is needed.
Filed under: Accion, Cultura, Elections, History, Texas Lege
