The Arizona law that bans ethnic studies classes in grades K-12 does not comply with the purpose of offering ethnic studies courses: to educate students in developing deeper understanding and respect toward multiple cultures. 

The law, also known as HB 2281, took effect at the start of the year, and is still heartily protested by many.

The bill was enacted because, as the bill states in its Declaration of Policy, it wants people to be treated as individuals, not to be “taught to resent or hate other races or classes of people.” That statement is appalling because the goals of ethnic studies courses are to create knowledge about the powerful history and people of other countries, to instill compassion toward people of different cultures, and in many cases, to develop a deeper sense of worth to people who belong to that culture. 

This is why the purpose of banning ethnic studies as an educational benefit for students is incomprehensible. Another thing the law determines is that people receiving an education about their native country or any other country will try to overthrow the American government. Why would learning about the unique and intricate qualities of another culture create an upheaval against the American government? 

Learning about other cultures creates the opposite effect and promotes understanding and respect among groups. Protesting, standing up for our beliefs, and trying to improve the way our society runs are all healthy for humans, and as America advocates, is our right.

Marc Coronado, the club advisor for ¡LEAD! (Latina/o Empowerment at De Anza), shared her experiences with ethnic studies classes, which helped her appreciate other countries as well as the U.S. better: 

“I found myself empowered by knowing the history of my own people as well as the histories of other people,” said Coronado.

 These histories made America seem like a richer place. They helped give me a fuller idea of what this country is, what it offers to people, and what its history has been.”

Another result the law points to as a reaction of taking ethnic studies classes is the prejudice that would somehow grow from learning about the multifaceted histories and cultures of people. This is unlikely because gaining an education about different cultures will expand a person’s mind and diminish ignorance and prejudice. As Coronado said, “Nothing I learned encouraged feelings of superiority or segregation; it simply made me more educated and proud to be a part of the human family.”

Ethnic studies classes produce positive effects on students. The Arizona law is trying to stop our progress of moving forward as people surrounded by multiple, unique, important cultures and from becoming more intelligent, compassionate, and knowledgeable human beings. By eradicating the ethnic studies classes, the state of Arizona is promoting stagnancy and dead dogma.