La Plaza Central

Here’s the title to the story:

Arizona schools superintendent pushes ban on ethnic studies.

What? So…teaching by withholding information is the preferred methodology. This brand of racism is baffling, as evidenced by the quotes drawn in the story, e.g. “The job of the public schools is to develop the student’s identity as Americans and as strong individuals. It’s not the job of the public schools to promote ethnic chauvinism.” Right, since this whole thing isn’t chauvinistically American…

Here’s the bill itself, which was passed by the Arizona State Legislature.  Yet another hole in reasoning: an exception will be made for classes for Native American pupils.

Nice afterthought.

This Saturday, AZ Governor Jan Brewer will pass or veto a new (anti-) immigration bill. Among other things, the bill would allow police officers to determine the legal status of whomever strikes them as suspicious, which will be 1 out of 3 people. For the record, Gov. Brewer has “worked with the legislature to make sure that no public services are being offered to anyone who is in this state illegally,” so I’m a bit worried.

Already, nine university students have been arrested for protesting outside the capitol, as reported by the Arizona Republic. And of all days it has to be Earth Day! At least Reid/Pelosi want to make immigration the next box on the big To-Do List.

As for immigrants in Arizona, I hope they can find a way to support their families without going outside. Oh wait — the bill also gives a free ride to your country of origin (let’s say Mexico) if you are harboring illegals (let’s say your own grandma). Let’s pray Brewer sees the light come Saturday.

UPDATE: Friday was a sad day in America.

There’s a nice posting from Stop Big Media here, via the National Institute for Latino Policy, about the NBC/Comcast merger and how it would negatively affect Latino media and its constituents. I’ve been passively following the net neutrality issue and until now haven’t seen an argument involving the implications for our Latino population. Even more reason to get behind the issue and break up the telecoms monopoly!

For readers who aren’t up to speed on this, here’s and example of part of this monopoly: graphical history of the AT&T break-up (and “get back together”).

Do you love that Red Map vs. Blue Map ad campaign or what?

Registration is now open for our newest program, Golden Warriors, a Latino youth prevention and intervention program for young men ages 14 to 18. The ever-steady tandem of Erick and Irene Saavedra have  a core vision involving the ancient rites of passage of Aztec, Maya, and Inca warriors, and the current state of our Latino youth. The fact that Latino males are over-represented in the Justice System implies that our youth lack the rites of passage that gave warriors clarity and purpose in their civilizations. The “warrior’s path” will connect participants to their cultural roots and they will realize the trajectory from warrior to peaceful warrior — the state at which the warrior transcends violence and embraces the battle against himself and ultimately flowers into a soulful being.

The 12-session curriculum revolves around knowledge, responsibility, family, and education, and will teach participants the ancient Toltec message: We are the Sun’s children and our nature is to shine.

Golden Warriors enrollment information

Golden Warriors registration form

Photos from the opening session: