Lately, I've been discussing the draconian law being forced upon Latinos in Arizona by a far-right governor and state legislature. Also, perhaps less discussed but no less significant, is a movement in Arizona to ban ethnic studies courses (black history, Latino history, etc.). Tonyaa Weathersbee, writing for Black America Web, has a very compelling commentary that discusses both of the issues and really gets to the heart of what I've been attempting to tell people for some time now. What is happening in Arizona is related to the movement in Texas to (forgive the expression) whitewash history and put it through a conservative filter so it doesn't make conservative whites feel so bad about what has happened in the past in this country (and, to some extent, what is happening in the present).
Specifically, the misguided attempt to ban ethnic studies courses is a way to distract from the realities of what some people refer to as white privilege.
Here is part of what Weathersbee wrote:
In other words, any courses in which the facts are too inconvenient for white folks to deal with.The thought that such ethnic studies courses may make white Americans who take them uncomfortable is precisely why we need them and why white students should take them.
The arrogance here is staggering.
First of all, it’s no secret that black people and Latinos have, throughout their history, struggled against the subjugation of a U.S. government that was run by whites. For us, it was slavery and Jim Crow, and years of being legally barred from opportunities that would have enabled us to build wealth and to create new opportunities. Latinos have also struggled with displacement, segregation and other forms of discrimination.
Yet the Texas education board and Arizona lawmakers care more about protecting the feelings of white conservatives – who never experienced the pain of legal segregation – than telling the stories of the black and Latino people who are, in many ways, still struggling with the aftereffects.
That logic only makes sense in White Privilege Land.
These movements in Arizona and Texas are the product of fear. The fear is that this country is a changing one that is becoming more diverse by the day.
For many conservative white Americans, this is scary. What is taking place in Arizona and Texas is just the beginning of the lashing back we will increasingly see in this country as, in 40 years or so, whites are expected to no longer be the racial majority.
Black America Web:
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/baw_commentary_news/18802
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