IS ARIZONA IMPLEMENTING A RESTORATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES?
by Debra Mullins
(May 4, 2010) — On Thursday, April 29, 2010, the Arizona House of Representatives passed the Senate-amended version of HB2281, banning racial and ethnic studies from the curricula of state-funded K-12 schools. The bill passed the Senate on Wednesday, April 28, and is now awaiting Governor Jan Brewer’s signature.
This is the second bill passed in as many weeks which has raised the ire and derision of some Latinos and other racial and ethnic groups. On April 23, 2010, Governor Brewer signed into law SB1070, which requires Law Enforcement to detain anyone with whom it comes in contact if there is reasonable suspicion such person is unlawfully residing in the United States. The new law has sparked protests across the nation, and some states and special interests groups are advocating the boycott of Arizona and Arizona-produced products.
The purpose and scope of HB2281 is to remove racial and ethnic studies from public and charter school curricula and to teach pupils to treat and respect others as individuals rather than associating them with a particular race or ethnic group in such a way that it fosters resentment or discrimination on the part of other races and/or ethnic groups.
The bill prohibits instruction in courses which:
- Promote the overthrow of the United States government.
- Promote resentment toward a race or class of people.
- Are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group.
- Advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.
School districts that are found to be out of compliance and fail to comply within 60 days of notification will risk losing up to 10% of their appropriated state funding.
It is not the intent of HB2281 to completely cleanse the curriculum of references to various racial and ethnic groups and minority individuals who have been oppressed or who have made significant contributions during the course of the United States’ evolution; it should, however, be taught only in a historical context. Students still need to learn about the Civil War, the European migration that occurred during the Industrial Revolution, the extermination of millions of Jews during World War II, the Civil Rights movement, etc.
There are also ulterior motives at play when public schools include racial and ethnic studies in their curricula. The left’s indoctrination and propagation of its agenda begins in the public school system. It is politically motivated to create racial and ethnic divisions; a significant part of the Democrat Party’s platform is to perpetuate the myth that it is the only political party that stands for the rights of minorities. Thus, the inclusion of racial and ethnic studies in public school curricula may also be intended to shore up and increase the size of the left’s base.
The Arizona legislature, however, fell short of achieving the perfect trifecta with the sidelining of S1024, which would have required Presidential candidates to prove their eligibility prior to being allowed on the Arizona ballot. S1024 narrowly passed the AZ House of Representatives on April 21, 2010 and was forwarded to the Senate. The eligibility language included in the bill originated with HB2441, introduced by Representative Judy Burges.
The bill was set aside by Senate President Bob Burns, who cited that he questioned whether or not the legislature needed “the controversy it would create.” It has also been reported that the Senate did not have enough Republican votes to pass the bill. Rep. Burges intends to re-introduce the bill at the earliest opportunity and in advance of the 2012 Presidential election.
The bill has sparked other state legislatures such as Georgia to consider similar legislation. If enough states enact proof of eligibility laws, it may create a tipping point that will keep the “Usurper-In-Chief” off of the 2012 Presidential ballot.
The Arizona legislature should be commended for taking a stand against the left’s hijacking of the educational system with the primary aim of restoring and protecting the Constitution. If Governor Brewer signs the bill into law as expected, watch for a Congressional attempt to make a power play and withhold federal education appropriations from Arizona until it repeals the law or challenge the constitutionality of the law in federal court. It will also be interesting to see how AZ Senator John McCain and his Republican challenger, J.D. Hayworth, address this hot-button issue on the campaign trail.
We as a nation have become a sea of entrenched multiculturalism which only breeds contempt for other socio-economic, racial, ethnic, political, and religious groups rather than foster assimilation into the American way of life. While diversity should be honored, respected, and protected, encouraging pupils to honor and respect the individual will in itself create an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance. There was a time in which racial and ethnic groups migrating to the United States sought to assimilate themselves into American society without necessarily losing sight of their cultural or racial heritage. The responsibility for one’s education regarding heritage lies with the parents and the racial and ethnic community in which he or she resides, not the public school system. The government has no business meddling in such matters and it is primarily responsible for cultivating the racial and ethnic divisions which exist today.
Update, May 14, 2010: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed HB2281 into law on May 11, 2010.
Thanks for the interesting and informative post. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to more posts in the future.
Oh, and vis-a-vis the crap with “boycotting Arizona” –
There is no there there, no one would do this, the liberals have simply no traction in this – just a few dogs howling in an indifferent landscape –
Still, in order to add more to the noble contours of those who scream “Justice!” and “Murder, murder, bloody murder!” when it comes with the Arizona legislation –
One of them is Antonio Villaraigosa, the very mayor of Los Angeles who called for boycotting Arizona, and now is in hot water for grossly intervening for reduction of bail in the case of Esteban Nunez, son of his pal, former speaker Fabian Nunez (Esteban in charged with first degree murder) –
So these are those who call for boycotting Arizona –
Bellow is the LA Times link to this odious story, with just an evasive line about Villaraigosa’s intercession in it – however, his eggregious conduct has became public now, and I hope that this act will lead to the end of his, anyway, inglorious tenure as LA mayor –
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/05/jury-selection-began-today-
Also better coverage of this affair comes from LA WEEKLY:
http://www.laweekly.com/2009-05-28/news/esteban-nunez-case-bad-little-suburban-boys
[…] The bill was set aside by Senate President Bob Burns, who cited that he questioned whether or not the legislature needed “the controversy it would create.” It has also been reported that the Senate did not have enough Republican votes to pass the bill. Rep. Burges intends to re-introduce the bill at the earliest opportunity and in advance of the 2012 Presidential election. […]
Hmmm… I live in Los Angeles and I cannot but approve the actions of the Arizona legislators – but in the case of the Burgess bill, I am wondering what were the true reasons behind it being “sidelined”. Was it only lacl of Republican votes? Or other kind of pressures?
Just wondering –
I want to stay optimistic, but I think the Republicans lack the fortitude to do it and I’m not sure why. I don’t believe it’s a conspiracy. I just think they flat out are weak.
Vote them all out. They don’t lack any votes — all you need is a majority and it had clearly reached that in both houses (the HOUSE was the close vote, NOT the Senate).
Sharon, it appears the powers that be have stonewalled again.
For the life of me, I can’t understand why you people will not contact me about the idea.
IT IS THE ONLY WAY. Do you not realize this, Sharon? I see no other evidence that will elicit a big response and force the deceiver’s hand. Now Arizona is going to fail us.
What next?
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Mrs. Rondeau replies: Anyone is welcome to send any ideas, news tips, information, etc. to editor@thepostemail.com.
So, please tell me what you think. You can’t possibly have ideas of this caliber come across (if ever) all the time.
When is the Governor going to sign the eligibility bill? Any news on this front?
It is PERFECT time to sign it amidst all the furor over the immigration bill. They can’t possibly get more heat than now, and it will either stay the same or fly under the radar.
Any news, Sharon or John?
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Mrs. Rondeau replies: The Arizona state senate held up voting on the bill, and they have now finished their legislative session. Therefore, it will need to be introduced next session for it to have any chance of passing. State Sen. Robert Burns chickened out.
joe m.,
The story I read was that there are 18 r’s and 12 d’s in the arizona senate and that all 12 d’s are against it, (no surprise there), and that they couldn’t get enough of the 18 r’s to go along to pass the bill, so they shelved it.
Even when we have the majority vote and public opinion favors us we still can’t get it done.
Pretty bad, isn’t it?
But they passed it once, already, preliminarily …
What could they possibly fear a backlash from?
I knew this BS would happen. Just pass it, spineless #$*@s!
Wow. Tremendous disappointment. When is the next session?
Maybe bribery came into play? I found it very suspicious when BO was on Air Force One and stated he didn’t feel Congress had the “appetite” to address another controversial issue. “I’ve worked them pretty hard this past yr. with Heath Care”. My radar immediately shot up. Maybe some type of exchange was made. Perhaps BO agreed to back off & halt the threats on Arizona’s immigration bill if Burns would back off the eligibility issue. Time will tell if Burns reintroduces it. In addition I haven’t heard BO complaining or making public slams to Arizona’s educational changes. Hmm. You would think BO would really be in a narcissistic huff. Eliminate ethnic studies? How racist!
.
BRAVO Arizona!!!!
The people in Arizona accumulate more and more respect from me with every piece of legislation that is lawful and supportive of our American culture. Thank you Arizona for your patriotism.
For the record, I will try to buy as many products from Arizona manufacturers as possible in an effort to support Arizona’s pro-American way of life.
Notice is granted to the remaining predominantly progressive states – I will avoid traveling to your state, and I will not buy products I know come from your state. When you change back into pro-American free market states, then I will resume buying from companies located in your state.
“For the record, I will try to buy as many products from Arizona manufacturers as possible in an effort to support Arizona’s pro-American way of life.”
Make sure you don’t by stuff from, or spend money in, Tucson or Flagstaff, both cities are suing the state over the new illegal alien bill…or Phoenix, whose mayor has never met an illegal he didn’t like, and whose basketball team is calling themseves the “Los Suns” to protest the opposition to illegal aliens.
NUTN2SAY says: and I agree with him but those racial left wing nuts that hate America and true freedom are doing a better job of getting it their way than we are in getting it our way.
We have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time and with no true leader to get it done.
Sorry for looking on the dark side but we need to know while we think they are crazy they have done a better job than those that want true God given freedom; nothing more, nothing less.
Sanity at last!
I’m very proud of Arizona for doing what the Federal Gov’t has failed to do for decades. The Feds are a perfect example of what can happen when government is allowed to get too big and too powerful. The Feds are unwilling to come to the aid of America, even after the murder of the rancher in Arizona.
They have shown they have no interest in protecting & defending their own country. Filled with the self-destructive liberal propaganda that has gotten our country into this dangerous mess.
I’m also proud that the State of Georgia, and other states are introducing similar state immigration laws since the Feds are worthless, unless they are harassing their own tax paying citizens. Total lunacy!!!!
Way to go AZ but the one that went dowm made me sad. I was in hopes at least one state would make it a law to prove you are who you say you are for the office you seek.
I live in GA and know our RINO well. I have no hope at all that GA is going to ger her done.
If the Latinos don’t like it, let them leave. I am sure that CA would love to have them.
I love living in AZ
Let ethnic and racial studies be left up to the individual as advanced studies that can be learned on their own at the library! Ethnic and racial studies are just another way of allowing anti-conservative and anti-American teachings to be taught in public schools at tax payer expense! It amazes me has to why conservative republicans fail to put a stop to this nonsense at the national level! Kids in America today know more about hating the white male and all the different types of anti-heterosexual lifestyles from their school teachers than they know about American history and the Constitution!