It is being rumored that the Texas School Board of Education is meeting next month in November for a final decision on whether or not to go through with currently titled Proclamation 2017. Their claim before was that textbooks would be too expensive and take money away from school districts that really needed it. In the 12-1 vote to push back the implementation of Ethnic Studies in Texas schools, “the lone dissenting vote was Democrat Ruben Cortez, who has been a strong proponent for Ethnic Studies.” Diaz’s uproar consists of words like “Republican sabotage” and “Texas Republicans are adopting more sophisticated Arizona Republicans style tactics and Democrats are either in cahoots or gullible.” Whatever the case, Texas is in for a battle in the future.
Marisa Perez (D), an elected member of the TSBOE from San Antonio, has coordinated a meeting with representatives from local school districts, at the Education Service Center Region 20 located on Hines Ave.
On October 30th from 6:00 pm to 7:45 pm, these representatives will listen to members of the higher education community in San Antonio, as well as members of Somos MAS, project the importance of Mexican American Studies in primary and secondary education. According to an email sent on October 14th, “the major concern is how this subject can be implemented in the current curriculum.” Can this be the antithesis of the ideology that our struggle doesn’t belong in the U.S. History? Will Texas MAS programs meet the same demise as those in Arizona or, have the same support as those in California? The fact that there are school districts willing to listen to this important issue leaves me feeling optimistic and confident. It proves that a shift in thinking is needed in order to create change and equality for all.
The debate over the inclusion of Ethnic Studies has only grown larger thanks to social media websites like Facebook and Twitter. The advanced reach of technology has Chicano Activists coming together in the fight por La Causa. Building bridges has never had more importance than it has in this moment. Somos Raza pero mas importante … somos humanos.
En Solidaridad
Leonardo “El Leon” Treviño
