Associated Press / MSNBC wrote:Arizona gov. signs bill targeting ethnic studies
Measure prohibits classes that advocate ethnic solidarity
By JONATHAN J. COOPER
Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
updated 2:50 p.m. ET, Wed., May 12, 2010
PHOENIX - Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill targeting a school district's ethnic studies program, hours after a report by United Nations human rights experts condemned the measure.
State schools chief Tom Horne, who has pushed the bill for years, said he believes the Tucson school district's Mexican-American studies program teaches Latino students that they are oppressed by white people.
Public schools should not be encouraging students to resent a particular race, he said.
"It's just like the old South, and it's long past time that we prohibited it," Horne said.
Brewer's signature on the bill Tuesday comes less than a month after she signed the nation's toughest crackdown on illegal immigration — a move that ignited international backlash amid charges the measure would encourage racial profiling of Hispanics. The governor has said profiling will not be tolerated.
The measure signed Tuesday prohibits classes that advocate ethnic solidarity, that are designed primarily for students of a particular race or that promote resentment toward a certain ethnic group.
The Tucson Unified School District program offers specialized courses in African-American, Mexican-American and Native-American studies that focus on history and literature and include information about the influence of a particular ethnic group.
'Ethnic chauvinism'
For example, in the Mexican-American Studies program, an American history course explores the role of Hispanics in the Vietnam War, and a literature course emphasizes Latino authors.
Horne, a Republican running for attorney general, said the program promotes "ethnic chauvinism" and racial resentment toward whites while segregating students by race. He's been trying to restrict it ever since he learned that Hispanic civil rights activist Dolores Huerta told students in 2006 that "Republicans hate Latinos."
District officials said the program doesn't promote resentment, and they believe it would comply with the new law.
The measure doesn't prohibit classes that teach about the history of a particular ethnic group, as long as the course is open to all students and doesn't promote ethnic solidarity or resentment.
About 1,500 students at six high schools are enrolled in the Tucson district's program. Elementary and middle school students also are exposed to the ethnic studies curriculum. The district is 56 percent Hispanic, with nearly 31,000 Latino students.
Sean Arce, director of the district's Mexican-American Studies program, said last month that students perform better in school if they see in the curriculum people who look like them.
Censorship charged
"It's a highly engaging program that we have, and it's unfortunate that the state Legislature would go so far as to censor these classes," he said.
Six UN human rights experts released a statement earlier Tuesday saying all people have the right to learn about their own cultural and linguistic heritage, they said.
Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman didn't directly address the UN criticism, but said Brewer supports the bill's goal.
"The governor believes ... public school students should be taught to treat and value each other as individuals and not be taught to resent or hate other races or classes of people," Senseman said.
Arce could not immediately be reached after Brewer signed the bill late Tuesday.
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Racial Profiling!?
Kyouri Kai- Founder
- Knowledge :
KageSenko- go'dan
Arizona F'd up and they are going to suffer through that now... the money they made by being unified without segregation is now gone because of the racial backlash they started.
What are your views on this kyo?
What are your views on this kyo?
Kyouri Kai- Founder
- Knowledge :
I'm kind of up in the air on this. As for the money issue, the money they are losing from the protesters, they say they are also gaining by not spending out as much on the illegals. It's not really a call for me to make since 1) I don't live in Arizona and therefore have no idea about the state's budget, and 2) I'm not part of the Arizona government so again, I have no idea about the state's budget. On this, we can only go with what the Governor says, which is they aren't losing any more money than they are gaining from the enactment of this new law.
As for the law itself, I have not read it so therefor any input I would have would be solely based upon personal feelings and not on the Arizona issue directly.
My personal feelings relating to the racial profiling issue is that I found it sort of funny that everyone jumped on the Mexican bandwagon when we have immigrants filtering into the U.S. through Mexico (as well a plethora of other state borders via airplanes) from all over the world. Since the media is only showing the Hispanic communities in an uproar over this issue, it gives the appearance that Hispanics believe they have the right to enter the U.S. by any means they deem fit no matter the laws. Now I know that many immigrants do follow the procedure and enter legally, albeit not as many as illegally, but those that have entered legally and have obtained legal status will also be subject to questioning. Is that really racial profiling when the majority of illegal immigrants are Hispanic? If they are here legally, what's the problem if they are asked to prove it? Again, I'm torn on this because on the one hand I am a firm believer in right to privacy, yet on the other, if I don't have anything to hide then I have no problem sharing. But those are just my personal views.
On a realistic stance, one must consider the facts. Fact #1 - most illegals are Hispanic. Fact #2 - not only Hispanics are being looked at and questioned. Fact #3 - Who is it really that started calling this 'racial profiling'? I personally know several immigrants, who jumped through the hoops and obtained their citizenship legally, who are actually siding with the Arizona law. Why? Because if you are willing to break a law in order to obtain what you desire - getting out of Mexico and living in the U.S. - then you have already committed yourself to the status of a felon... a criminal. Criminals are to be punished according the law in any state. So again, it is a touchy subject because there are some that are legal citizens that will be asked to show proof. But I kinda doubt there will be as many as illegals asked. If that is the case... then I have no sympathy for the illegals and they really don't have any right to cry about it in the first place... that's why they are called 'illegal' immigrants.
As for the law itself, I have not read it so therefor any input I would have would be solely based upon personal feelings and not on the Arizona issue directly.
My personal feelings relating to the racial profiling issue is that I found it sort of funny that everyone jumped on the Mexican bandwagon when we have immigrants filtering into the U.S. through Mexico (as well a plethora of other state borders via airplanes) from all over the world. Since the media is only showing the Hispanic communities in an uproar over this issue, it gives the appearance that Hispanics believe they have the right to enter the U.S. by any means they deem fit no matter the laws. Now I know that many immigrants do follow the procedure and enter legally, albeit not as many as illegally, but those that have entered legally and have obtained legal status will also be subject to questioning. Is that really racial profiling when the majority of illegal immigrants are Hispanic? If they are here legally, what's the problem if they are asked to prove it? Again, I'm torn on this because on the one hand I am a firm believer in right to privacy, yet on the other, if I don't have anything to hide then I have no problem sharing. But those are just my personal views.
On a realistic stance, one must consider the facts. Fact #1 - most illegals are Hispanic. Fact #2 - not only Hispanics are being looked at and questioned. Fact #3 - Who is it really that started calling this 'racial profiling'? I personally know several immigrants, who jumped through the hoops and obtained their citizenship legally, who are actually siding with the Arizona law. Why? Because if you are willing to break a law in order to obtain what you desire - getting out of Mexico and living in the U.S. - then you have already committed yourself to the status of a felon... a criminal. Criminals are to be punished according the law in any state. So again, it is a touchy subject because there are some that are legal citizens that will be asked to show proof. But I kinda doubt there will be as many as illegals asked. If that is the case... then I have no sympathy for the illegals and they really don't have any right to cry about it in the first place... that's why they are called 'illegal' immigrants.
KageSenko- go'dan
i think it is pure bullshit, there is no need for this law. I believe that the governor of arizona is a racist that is basically using her power to bring that up. Arizona is losing money with everyday this law is in affect, I have watched the news on this issue and it has stated it many times. With this going on people will lose more jobs than the depression.
I also believe that the racial profiling aspect is retarded, if you look like a race than you get questioned? How is that equal? How is it a freedom? Someone walking down the street can get questioned on where their papers are? Where in the world does it give them the right to ask for that?
Most illegals are european... you just make it modern illegal crossing, if you went back 50 years most would be european. We are just the scapegoat in this because some redneck president doesn't know how to use his money.
I also believe that the racial profiling aspect is retarded, if you look like a race than you get questioned? How is that equal? How is it a freedom? Someone walking down the street can get questioned on where their papers are? Where in the world does it give them the right to ask for that?
Most illegals are european... you just make it modern illegal crossing, if you went back 50 years most would be european. We are just the scapegoat in this because some redneck president doesn't know how to use his money.
Kyouri Kai- Founder
- Knowledge :
KageSenko wrote:Someone walking down the street can get questioned on where their papers are? Where in the world does it give them the right to ask for that?
Most illegals are european... you just make it modern illegal crossing, if you went back 50 years most would be european. We are just the scapegoat in this because some redneck president doesn't know how to use his money.
I understand your anger on this issue... sort of. But to answer your questions... as to "[s]omeone walking down the street can get questioned on where their papers are?" Why yes... yes they can. Anyone that has gone through the civil process of becoming a naturalized citizen is fully aware of the fact that they are expected to carry their papers with them at all times just in case they are questioned, and they can be assured that they very well may be. Legals know this... illegals don't.
As to "[w]here in the world does it give them the right...?" Where in the world does it give someone the right to cross into another country illegally? We have a front door, yet more than not, people choose to use the back door then whine and cry and throw temper tantrums when those residing between the doors get pissed about the one-way back door that seems to be stuck open. No one that is illegal has the right to cry foul in this situation... none, zip, ziltch, nada! And personally, having been born and raised here, and having family that entered this country legally, I get kinda ticked off when people defend the criminals in any way whatsoever. By giving rights to those that are illegal, the rights of those that are legal are being quashed and squandered.
And sorry, this is not a President Bush ordeal. He is not the one that set up immigration. Assuming that is who you are referring to when you say "redneck president". Illegal immigration is a very long standing problem, as you mentioned, it stems back to Europeans, but not so much nowadays, or at least not as much.
You say that you have been watching the news, did you happen to hear the part where the day after Arizona enacted that new law they caught 120 illegals trying to cross the border? That's 120 American jobs out the window. That's 120 more people getting aid that could go to feed, clothe, house, and medicate LEGAL citizens of this country. Now if 120 Mexicans (Hispanics) were caught trying to cross in a single day in a single area, then how many made it through in one week all along the American-Mexican border? Even if you only say 120 a day times 7 days, you end up 840 people. Do you honestly believe that there are that many Europeans entering this country illegally in a week's time? I seriously doubt there are, hence why Hispanics are being looked at more than any other race. However, I remind you again, that not only Hispanics are being questioned, they just make up the majority of illegal immigrants.
I'm sorry for stressing the word 'illegal', but that is something that most people who are upset over this Arizona law and are dubbing it 'racial profiling' are forgetting. This is all about illegal immigration. Is it really the fault of the Arizona governor that the majority are Hispanic?
And for the record... my real time best friend happens to be exactly half black - half mexican... and he's a dude. Talk about being considered a minority. But even he agrees with the law. Why? Because he was born and raised here and has worked his ass off to make something of himself and he gets rather pissed when others can just waltz right in and start crying and get their way.
Again tho, I reiterate that I'm torn on this issue 'cause I'm not quite so sure I'd appreciate being pulled over just to have my license checked. Even tho the law states that you cannot simply pull someone over because you think they may be illegal, but can only pull them over for an actual infraction which gives the police the right to check at that time (which they do everyone no matter their race or gender), I'm sure it will be abused a bit anyway. But the best way to avoid it is to knock on the front door... where immigrants are welcomed with open arms, not climb through the back door like a criminal.
And some food for fodder:
Mexico's Immigration Laws wrote:
* Foreigners are admitted into Mexico "according to their possibilities of contributing to national progress." (Article 32)
* Immigration officials must "ensure" that "immigrants will be useful elements for the country and that they have the necessary funds for their sustenance" and for their dependents. (Article 34)
* Foreigners may be barred from the country if their presence upsets "the equilibrium of the national demographics," when foreigners are deemed detrimental to "economic or national interests," when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country, when they have broken Mexican laws, and when "they are not found to be physically or mentally healthy." (Article 37)
* The Secretary of Governance may "suspend or prohibit the admission of foreigners when he determines it to be in the national interest." (Article 38)
Mexican authorities must keep track of every single person in the country:
* Federal, local and municipal police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities upon request, i.e., to assist in the arrests of illegal immigrants. (Article 73)
* A National Population Registry keeps track of "every single individual who comprises the population of the country," and verifies each individual's identity. (Articles 85 and 86)
* A national Catalog of Foreigners tracks foreign tourists and immigrants (Article 87), and assigns each individual with a unique tracking number (Article 91).
Foreigners with fake papers, or who enter the country under false pretenses, may be imprisoned:
* Foreigners with fake immigration papers may be fined or imprisoned. (Article 116)
* Foreigners who sign government documents "with a signature that is false or different from that which he normally uses" are subject to fine and imprisonment. (Article 116)
Foreigners who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned as felons:
* Foreigners who fail to obey a deportation order are to be punished. (Article 117)
* Foreigners who are deported from Mexico and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. (Article 118)
* Foreigners who violate the terms of their visa may be sentenced to up to six years in prison (Articles 119, 120 and 121). Foreigners who misrepresent the terms of their visa while in Mexico -- such as working with out a permit -- can also be imprisoned.
Under Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony. The General Law on Population says,
* "A penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally." (Article 123)
* Foreigners with legal immigration problems may be deported from Mexico instead of being imprisoned. (Article 125)
* Foreigners who "attempt against national sovereignty or security" will be deported. (Article 126)
Mexicans who help illegal aliens enter the country are themselves considered criminals under the law:
* A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the sole objective of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison. (Article 127)
* Shipping and airline companies that bring undocumented foreigners into Mexico will be fined. (Article 132)