Make ‘Ethnic Studies’ optional in Californian public schools

Mandatory “Ethnic Studies” has been a very divisive issue. The recent debate at the Palo Alto Unified School District Board regarding the mandatory adoption of an “Ethnic Studies” course for 9^th graders, and the consequent demotion of the Chinese American member of the Board, who voted for making “Ethnic Studies” an elective, should be a wake-up call for all.

It is often suggested – in support of having an “Ethnic Studies” course – that teaching high-risk minority students their history, culture and heritage can have a positive impact on them, and on their chances of graduation. If so, it does not make sense to force all students, irrespective of their background, to take the “Ethnic Studies” course. Many students – if given the option – would prefer to add STEM courses instead.

The reality is that “Ethnic Studies” courses already exist for many years, without generating any divisiveness: They have been traditionally held outside the formal framework of public K12 schools. These are courses taught at various minority-supported schools: This is what Jewish and Chinese schools, and others, do, in California (and without the US taxpayer having to foot the bill.)

However, I do not mind State-funded “Ethnic Studies” in K12 public schools in support of some specially afflicted minorities, like Black and Native Americans, if these “Ethnic Studies” courses are held as elective courses. After all, a somewhat similar purpose is being historically played by teaching elective languages at K12 schools: Teaching, for example, Spanish at public K12 schools gives students of all backgrounds – if they so wish – the opportunity to learn and understand other cultures in a positive atmosphere, devoid of forced imposition.

I urge you to have the courage to revise the AB-101 (2021) Bill, and redefine “Ethnic Studies” as an elective course in California public schools.

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The above is a letter I sent to Californian Legislators. If you live in California, and agree with the content of this letter, “copy and paste” and send the letter to the Legislator(s) on your behalf. You can find your Legislator at:

https://www.assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers

There is a form in the above link to send the letter online. The message should be limited to no more than 2,000 characters long (my letter satisfies this requirement: 1,936 characters). The caveat is that only the Legislator that directly represents your district will accept a message sent online. However, you can print the letter and send it by standard mail to any number of Legislators you want (you will find their addresses in the above website).