Debate Magazine

Tucson School District Bans Books

Posted on the 18 January 2012 by Mikeb302000
Tucson School District Bans Books
via Salon that Arizona's ban on ethnic studies proscribes Mexican-American history, local authors, even Shakespeare.
“By ordering teachers to remove ‘Rethinking Columbus,’ the Tucson school district has shown tremendous disrespect for teachers and students,” said the book’s editor Bill Bigelow. “This is a book that has sold over 300,000 copies and is used in school districts from Anchorage to Atlanta, and from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. It offers teaching strategies and readings that teachers can use to help students think about the perspectives that are too often silenced in the traditional curriculum.”
Another notable text removed from Tucson’s classrooms is Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest.” In a meeting this week, administrators informed Mexican-American studies teachers to stay away from any units where “race, ethnicity and oppression are central themes,” including the teaching of Shakespeare’s classic in Mexican-American literature courses.
Since Arizona falls way behind Florida in the proliferation of prescription drug clinics, it's searching for other ways to regain the crown.
What's your opinion? Do you think Arizona could actually overtake the Sunshine State as The Most Baneful State of the Union?
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