The newly introduced bill – which seeks to build on an existing GOP-backed law that banned a Mexican American studies class
–marks the latest attack in academia on activism and research centered
on marginalized groups. Some opponents said the proposal is part of a
national trend, tied to the election of Donald Trump, of lawmakers
working to suppress progressive organizations and protests.
The bill, from state representative Bob Thorpe, would prohibit
“courses, classes, events and activities” in public schools that promote
“social justice toward a race, gender, religion, political affiliation,
social class or other class of people”. Courses and events that are
“designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group” or advocate
“solidarity” based on ethnicity, race, religion or gender would also be
banned.
[mod note] I actually found out about this bill personally from a friend of mine who lives in AZ, and has already been subjected to several antisemitic and homophobic incidents of harassment in the wake of current unfortunate events. I’ve already read the text of the bill itself, and it’s…well, it’s bad.
What they are proposing to ban is what I do. The stuff you learn here. The already neglected and marginalized people and events of history. How these marginalized histories are immediately relevant to you and me, and how they relate to social justice. That’s what being banned.
I’m personally terrified for myself and my loved ones, and for everyone who is interested in learning about history in or outside of institutions. There’s a lot of “we’ll survive,” and “It’s not that bad,” going around, and I am seriously asking how bad exactly does it need to get before it actually IS “That Bad”??
You can also bring up that the Arizona school boards association is strongly against this bill (which also reduces funding for districts that don’t comply), since they oppose the state trying to dictate what local areas do. Wording opposition in terms of the bill being a drastic example of government overreach might have more influence on Republicans.
Tweeting won’t have much impact, btw – legislators don’t really care about it. Contact them at their office. Emails are decent, but calling or writing a physical letter (especially if you’re an Arizona resident).
Yes, thank you for reminding me:
bob@thorpe4az.com
bthorpe@azleg.gov
CAPITOL: (602) 926-5219
TOLL FREE: 1(800) 352-8404
~~There’s a lot of “we’ll survive,” and “It’s not that bad,” going around, and I am seriously asking how bad exactly does it need to get before it actually IS “That Bad”?? ~~
If you’re not sure what to write, here’s the content of the email I just sent to Bob Thorpe. In the interest of getting him to actually read and listen, I tried to avoid accusing him of bigotry or making overly-emotional appeals. It’s far from perfect, but it’s something. Feel free to copy, alter, do with as you will.
“Mr. Thorpe,
I am writing to you as a citizen of Arizona, after having read AZ House Bill 2120. I understand that the spirit of the law may be designed to try to bring students together, but I am concerned by the inclusion of the phrase ‘social justice’ in section A.2. of Section 15-112.
Social justice does not necessitate division or resentment. Social justice is the recognition that there are groups within American society who have been systematically put down throughout history, groups which are still not fully equal in America. Racism did not end with the March on Washington. Sexism did not end with women’s suffrage. These forces are still at work in society, and social justice is the effort to lessen those forces and raise everyone to equality together.
I notice that in the text of the proposed bill, the word following ‘social justice’ is not ‘against,’ but ‘for’. This portion of the bill is clearly not meant to protect groups from a force used against them, but to prevent marginalized groups from advocating for themselves. The motivation here is far from opaque.
This bill seeks to deny the rights of teachers to teach their students the truth by allowing dissenters to accuse them of ‘social justice’. Under this law, anything those in power don’t want teachers saying could be categorized under the huge umbrella of ‘social justice’. This is a dangerously vague bill that could easily result in its misuse to silence the voices of those who are still oppressed within American society.
As a citizen of Arizona, I urge you to rethink this bill.
Sincerely,
[name]”
Less than a minute after sending this email, I received an autoreply that reads as follows:
Did….did he just seriously quote Rodney King’s “Can’t we all just get along”? And some randomly anonymous supposed “student” from England talking about how “the crazies” are “infecting a large portion of the student body” with social justice in Britain…?
Mooncustafer 