After learning that some Tucson students may no longer be able to take part in ethnic studies programs, 17-year-old Abriana Romero was determined to take a stand.
The senior at St. Gregory College Preparatory School thought it was unfair and came up with a number of ideas on how to get the word out. She considered a march or a rally, but five months later, her work and planning is coming to life in the form of a community event that’s been dubbed Ethnic Extravaganza complete with snacks, music and speakers.
The extravaganza will kick off national ethnic studies week on a local level at Kennedy Park today from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
National Ethnic Studies week was inspired by the passage of House Bill 2281 in Arizona, which targeted TUSD’s program for elimination, as well as the passage of new social studies standards by the Texas State Board of Education.
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Romero, her classmate Jacob Valdez, and members of the Diversity Club at St. Gregory’s organized the entertainment and wrote letters to local businesses to raise $1,500.
Being that St. Gregory’s is an independent school, it will not be affected by HB 2281, which goes into effect Dec. 31, but that did not matter to Romero.
“I feel it’s important for my school to get involved because a lot of students don’t realize what’s happening with this law and what is being taken away,” Romero said. “I realized what a privilege I do have being able to learn what I want to at an independent school.”
Michelle Berry, a teacher who is in charge of the Diversity Club, said she is proud of her students who could have easily “shrugged their shoulders” to the controversy.
“At our independent school, we embrace open inquiry and intense dialog about historical and current conflicts of interest,” Berry said.
HB 2281 prohibits courses that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group, and advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals. Any school district found to be out of compliance will have state aid withheld.
State superintendent Tom Horne has long claimed TUSD’s program promotes ethnic chauvinism.
TUSD contends that it is in full compliance. Its governing board passed a resolution in support of the program and on Tuesday, the Board adopted another resolution declaring Oct. 1 through Oct. 7 Ethnic Studies Week in TUSD.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
