Hello all this is my first diary post here on kos I'm a big fan of the site and a pretty diehard progressive. In any event with the passing of the Arizona Discrimination bill and abolishment of Ethnic studies and the arguments used by conservatives in support of the bill I felt it necessary to comment or at least post my take on the matter.
The supporters of this movement or whatever its called have repeatedly stated that the teaching of ethnic studies is somehow inherently dangerous or anti american in nature. That these students are learning to hate america, which is odd considering you have so many on the right promoting violence against the govt and even some who have. Like the man who flew the plane into the IRS building or the Right wing militia groups or whatever.
Anyway I suppose their fear is that when ethnic minorities learn of their contributions to american society somehow we will get so mad and so upset that we will riot causing all sorts of damage to the innocent whites who had nothing to do with slavery. I find that silly mainly because these conservative people think that if we aren't talking about them we are talking negatively of them. Fact is ethnic minorities want to learn about their contributions to american society that most history classes skim over. Sure we learn about MLK Rosa Parks George Washington carver, and other easily identifiable minorities from recent years. History mathematics science business economics medicine have all seen and felt the rewards of having ethnic minorities being involved.
Somehow these conservative groups mistake learning about ethnic minorities contributions in WW2 Vietnam Korea NASA the Armed Services is somehow crippling to our democracy when in fact it has shaped it. There is virtually no america without the contributions of asians hispanics blacks jews etc. From architecture and the building in Washington to the railroad system stretching throughout the nation minorities have been largely involved and largely unmentioned.
The hypocrisy I see comes with the sheer fact that many conservative whites primarily in southern states have no problem taking pride in their families role in the civil war. They say they arent proud of slavery but glad their families fought. Ok thats understandable but why then are you threatened by minorities doing the same? Its not about hating whites or talking about white oppression but celebrating minorities involvement in building America.
Maybe if they actually involved themselves they'd find out that white assisted in freeing slaves in getting Hispanics rights in the military moving towards womens rights all of these things whites did and is probably discussed. But they were too hasty and like they always are fearful. They are scared that the America they claim exists would be tainted by the information they so quickly gloss over. Information is power, knowledge is control and influence. The more information and knowledge anyone possess the more influence and power you can have.
It is imperative that we continue learning about American history which is largely learning about the contributions of ethnic minorities women and yes even you conservatives. We all posses unique situations that build onto the American narrative, dont hide from it Conservatives embrace that fact and we will be a better nation.