Mexican American Studies

CUNY To Open New Mexican-American Institute

Posted 05.11.2012

The City University of New York (CUNY) is starting an institute devoted to the study of Mexican and Mexican-American studies, with a focus specificall...

Tucson High School Blocks Renowned Author Ana Castillo's Visit: Community Hosts Events/Fundraiser

Jeff Biggers | Posted 04.27.2012

Jeff Biggers

In a stunning rejection of celebrated author Ana Castillo's offer to read and speak with Tucson high school students next week, Tucson Unified School District administrators added a new chapter to the nation's most troubling censorship crackdown.

Tucson's Mexican American Studies Director Sean Arce Wins National Zinn Education Award

Jeff Biggers | Posted 04.03.2012

Jeff Biggers

While the Daily Show brilliantly reminded millions of viewers last night of the disgraceful racist elements behind the attack on Tucson's acclaimed and now outlawed Mexican American Studies program, educators across the nation recalled a teaching moment.

Does Tucson Need Three Poet Laureates to Bring It Back from the Brink of Censorship?

Jeff Biggers | Posted 06.02.2012

Jeff Biggers

Facing an unprecedented wave of censorship, Tucson has unabashedly staked out its claim as ground zero in the defense of poetry and literary arts.

VL Field Organizer Joins the Librotraficante Caravan in Arizona

Voto Latino | Posted 05.28.2012

Voto Latino

The room was filled with veteran Chicanos, authors, activistas, filmmakers, artists, and reporters who gathered to meet the students that literally had their school books pried away from them during class

Banned in Tucson

Emily Lutenski | Posted 05.15.2012

Emily Lutenski

As the fate of Tucson's MAS program lies within the slowly grinding gears of the court system, the protest-performance of the librotraficantes -- their call for direct action -- deserves the support of all who believe in justice.

It Gets Better, Dear Tucson Students (VIDEO)

Jeff Biggers | Posted 05.08.2012

Jeff Biggers

The trauma and stress over the dismantling of the Mexican American Studies program, including the confiscation of books in front of young middle school and high school students, has never been addressed by Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) officials.

Request To Reinstate Mexican American Studies Program Denied

The Huffington Post | Laura Steiner | Posted 03.06.2012

Back in January hundreds of students walked out to the streets of downtown Tucson to protest against the cancellation of the Mexican American Studies ...

As Arizona Moves Bills for Guns and Bibles in Classroom, Tucson Teacher Calls for Return of Banished Books: Interview With Norma Gonzalez

Jeff Biggers | Posted 04.10.2012

Jeff Biggers

Thousands of teachers across the country are now using books and texts from Tucson's Mexican American Studies curricula in a special "No History is Illegal" campaign.

Teaching Tucson: More National Groups Demand Release of Detained Books, As Teachers Adopt Banned Mexican American Studies

Jeff Biggers | Posted 04.02.2012

Jeff Biggers

Hundreds of schools launched a historic teach-in movement today to incorporate lesson plans from the banished Mexican American Studies program in Tucson in their own classrooms.

Arizona Unbound: National Actions on Mexican American Studies Banishment

Jeff Biggers | Posted 03.26.2012

Jeff Biggers

A remarkably diverse array of librarians, educators, writers, civil rights activists and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is mounting a series of national actions to call attention to educational and civil right violations and to support local Tucson efforts.

Tucson School Walk Outs Grow: Protest School District's Folly and Mexican American Studies Banishment

Jeff Biggers | Posted 03.24.2012

Jeff Biggers

As the nation watches the Tucson Unified School District's spiral into disarray, hundreds of students have walked out of their Tucson schools today in a coordinated protest against the banishment of the district's acclaimed Mexican American Studies program.

School District Axes Ethnic Studies Program

AP | Posted 01.11.2012

TUCSON, Ariz. -- A school district in Tucson voted to dismantle its ethnic studies program after more than $1 million of monthly state funding was to ...

Tucson School Board To Decide On Controversial Mexican American Studies Program

Pamela Powers Hannley | Posted 03.11.2012

Pamela Powers Hannley

Members of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board are expected to vote tonight on the fate of a controversial Mexican American Studies program. Will they accept the state's ruling that MAS violates the law? Will they vote to dismantle or modify MAS? Or will they further appeal the findings and accept the multi-million-dollar fines?

Arizona 2012: New Leaders With Ethnic Studies Caravan Will Move On and Flourish, Barking Dogs Will Fade

Jeff Biggers | Posted 02.29.2012

Jeff Biggers

"After taking Raza Studies in high school, I felt like it was my obligation to make sure to stay connected with the community and search for solutions in improving our local environment."

Arizona Schools' Ethnic Studies Program Ruled Illegal

AP | By JACQUES BILLEAUD | Posted 12.28.2011

PHOENIX -- An administrative law judge ruled Tuesday that a Tucson school district's ethnic studies program violates state law, agreeing with the find...

Ethnic Studies Court Emergency in Arizona: Only an Injunction Can Prevent Irreparable Harm

Jeff Biggers | Posted 01.15.2012

Jeff Biggers

In a stunning breakdown of the Arizona's obsessive witch hunt, a motion filed by plaintiffs for the acclaimed Ethnic Studies/Mexican American Studies program delineates several areas of discrimination against Tucson's Latino community.

AZ School Chief Compares Mexican-American Studies to Hitler Jugend (As He Endorses White Supremacist-Backed Candidate)

Jeff Biggers | Posted 11.28.2011

Jeff Biggers

Have the extremist Arizona politicians and their Tea Party supporters gone too far in their witch hunt of the Ethnic Studies Program?

Arizona's Attorney General Says Ethnic/Mexican American Studies "Must Be Destroyed," Quoting Cato's Call for War

Jeff Biggers | Posted 11.12.2011

Jeff Biggers

Speaking on a public panel in Phoenix on Saturday, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne invoked the infamous words of warfare by Roman statesman Cato and called for the destruction of Tucson's Ethnic Studies/Mexican American Studies Program.

Groundswell Calls for School Board President Resignation in Arizona Ethnic Studies Debacle

Jeff Biggers | Posted 10.22.2011

Jeff Biggers

As Tucson's largest school district battles against the state's Ethnic Studies witch hunt at an appeal hearing, a groundswell of students, parents and community members is calling for the resignation of the district's school board president.

Profile in Courage: On Frontlines of Arizona Crisis, Mexican American Studies Director Sean Arce Teaches Nation an Enduring Lesson

Jeff Biggers | Posted 10.15.2011

Jeff Biggers

As Tucson Unified School District students returned to the classroom yesterday, the towering role of one education innovator is being championed by a broad spectrum of local students, parents, teachers, community members and national scholars.

Arizona's Dirty Lessons: Is Tucson School District Dismantling Ethnic Studies to Appease Tea Party?

Jeff Biggers | Posted 10.08.2011

Jeff Biggers

Tucson education advocates are wondering if the TUSD administration has placed the largely unfounded demands of the Tea Party-driven state politicians over the needs of its own students, teachers and district.

Did Arizona Education Chief Huppenthal Commit a Felony in Growing Ethnic Studies Scandal?

Jeff Biggers | Posted 08.17.2011

Jeff Biggers

While the occasional spasm of extremist rhetoric and legislative initiative are often dismissed as nutty episodes in Arizona Gone Wild politics, some observers are wondering if John Huppenthal crossed the line of lawlessness.

Arizona's Next Scandal? Tea Party State Official Says Ethnic Studies Violates Ban

Jeff Biggers | Posted 08.16.2011

Jeff Biggers

At a press conference Wednesday, John Huppenthal declared the Ethnic Studies/MAS Program to be out of compliance with the state's controversial ban. Just one glitch: On closer review, the audit ultimately finds the program to be in compliance.

College-Bound Students Defy Arizona's Witch Hunt with Boycott: Exclusive Interview with Ethnic Studies Students

Jeff Biggers | Posted 06.12.2011

Jeff Biggers

There will be a row of empty seats at tonight's Tucson Unified School District board meeting. Outraged by the lack of consideration of student concerns, the "UNIDOS" coalition has called for a boycott of the school district's meeting.