Ethnic Studies in the Classroom:

From watching a CNN debate "Anderson Cooper 360: Ethnic Studies Ban Racist?" it seems that ethnic studies are highly discouraged by policy makers and educational administrators. Arizona Superintendent Tom Home and Sociologist Michael Eric Dyson debated whether ethnic history and culture should be included in the classroom, and what it would mean for the American system of education. This debate represents a dialectic struggle between those who recognize the importance of race in history and education, and those who refuse to acknowledge it.

Critics of ethnic studies, like Tom Homes, typically argue that emphasizing race over traditional history would separate students in the process of learning, while proponents like Michael Eric Dyson argue that racial education would instead enlighten students on the significance of a multiethnic America. Indeed, Home defines ethnic studies as a race-obsessed philosophy, while Dyson presents it as a racially-conscious philosophy. Home believes that Latino studies, in particular, would promote a separatist agenda. Home also argues that allowing students to learn about their racial history provokes cynical rather than critical thinking. He concludes that ethnic studies encourage a racially divisive mentality by capitalizing on the history of oppression in America and emphasizing race.

Dyson adamantly disagrees. He counter-argues that ethnic studies would diversify our curriculum and perspectives on American society. It would also provide a comprehensive and inclusive education in our schools, rather than confine our curriculum to the current standards propagated by Homes. According to Dyson, ethnic studies would be an effective tool in helping students to understand why certain ethnic groups follow a distinctive historical path in American society. In essence, ethnic studies can be designed to raise student consciousness on the role of ethnicity in our history and culture.

Introducing ethnic studies into the curriculum (whether in Arizona or New York schools) would be an inclusive rather than a divisive approach to education. Ethnic studies can broaden our perspective on racial American history, rather than narrow our point of view. In agreement with Dyson, it seems that ethnic studies are not just educational in their own right, but historically authentic and culturally empowering for all students, regardless of race or creed.