Posted on 05/25/2011 3:31:53 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
The Tucson Unified School District superintendent in the middle of a push to have a radical Mexican-American studies class changed to an elective, has now backed down from his position, even going as far as to issue an apology. The change follows two wild demonstrations at consecutive school board meetings, one in which students chained themselves to desks, and another in which the riot police were called in.
Superintendent John Pedicone told local station KOLD-TV that he sent a letter to UNIDOS — the radical student group opposing the change — and the Mexican American Studies Community Advisory Board saying he has now advised the TUSD governing board to “table and not consider the resolution to make Mexican American Studies an elective.” (Quote is not Pedicone’s, but rather KOLD’s.)
Also contained in at least one of the letters is a promise that he won’t recommend charges against those who were arrested during the rowdy protests.
“We simply have to kind of bring that level of anxiety down to where we can begin to talk reasonably about this program, which we, which I think the district has said from the very beginning it supports,” Pedicone told KOLD. He later added: “I can’t speak for individual board members or others, but from my perspective it’s more important to bring the tone to a level where we can have a conversation and begin to have levels of understanding for the sake of the district. That’s really my responsibility.”
In the letters, Pedicone told both groups that he is recommending the board refrain from voting on the plan until the State Department of Public Instruction rules whether the Mexican-American studies program is illegal.
“The intensity of the discussion has reached a point where it makes it difficult to consider any resolution at this time,” he writes in a letter to the Mexican-American Studies advisory board. “The deep-seated feelings surrounding this program, either as a result of a strong affiliation to its purpose or, in other cases, a rejection of the premise for its inclusion has created a counter-productive atmosphere that must be changed.”
He concludes the letter by asking the board to “please accept my apologies for my role in the situation.”
In his letter to the student group UNIDOS, he praises the students’ input as “valuable” and requests a meeting to establish “open dialogue.”
But as the Tucson Independent Daily points out, Pedicone’s sudden change-of-heart is curious, considering that just over two weeks ago he wrote an op-ed in the Arizona Star outraged over the protests and saying the students were being “exploited” and used as “pawns:”
My immediate concern focuses on the events that led up to the decision on the part of a number of adults and students who engaged in an action that interfered with the operation of government.
The manner in which it occurred was, to many people inside and outside of the organization, shocking and abhorrent.
[...]
Some would have you believe this action was taken by a group of students who just made a plan to express their dissent. That is not accurate.
It is clear adults both helped to plan and influence the outcome of that night.
If you take a moment to examine the resolution by the student group, Unidos, you will see the demands include issues involving the Mexican-American Ethnic Studies program, the repeal of state laws, school closures and turnaround schools, United Nations human rights and the removal of state governmental officials.
In my opinion, students have been led to believe their basic rights to an honest discussion of their heritage are at risk. Students have been convinced the school district is attempting to eliminate a program that simply tells the truth and this action is associated with concerns about immigration and a broad range of issues at the state and federal levels.
Students have been exploited and are being used as pawns to serve a political agenda that threatens this district and our community. Just as high school and university students led the charge to the Governing Board dais on Tuesday, they are being used to lead the charge for those who wish to make this a civil rights issue.
“None of these ideas are radical and are certainly worthy of consideration,” Pedicone added at the time. Radical, no. But unpopular, yes. And now, it seems, he’s caved in the face of that unpopularity.
Intimidation works - a truth older than Karl Marx himself.
What a gutless asshat. He needs to be fired.
Holy crap
If i hadn’t read this I would have never believed an American educator would cave in on Mexican flag waving illegals
we lose.
Hyphenation-separation is NOT the American way of life. Anything that hyphenates should be declared persona non grata in America. These hyphenates----balkanized separatists------put their loyalties to their homelands over and above the safety and security of US citizens.
We need to put this into law----that anything that hyphenates is considered a national security risk----they are persona non grata and should be ordered to leave the US.
All hyphenates should be outlawed......those whose allegiance lies with their ethnicity are mot welcome. Hyphenated should be ordered out. Their 'home countries' or continent will welcome them back with open arms.....especially with bags full of US tax dollars looted from the treasury (using multiple identities)
Those attempting to play both the Race Card and Oppressed Card at the same time should be advised that this is not the American Way of Life-----and it is against all the rules democracy demands for American citizenship.
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Hyphenates are always poor-mouthing----invariably inventing sob stories to get attention; constantly bleating about "victimization." Freud would have a field day with hyphenates' lack of self esteem.
What is "victimization"?
Victimization is a hyphenate's basic belief by which they blame, and find, others responsible for their own personal failures. For hyphenates, it "feels good" to be in the throes of victimization.
Hyphenates are always busy: A) causing victims, B) concocting victims, C) play-acting the victim, D) commiserating over victims, or E) creating other classes of victims to bleed over.
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PAY-ME-I'M-A-VICTIM Hyphenates constantly collude on ways to get taxpayers, and/or the courts, to subsidize them, to boost their lack of self-esteem.
THERE IS NOTHING IN THE US CONSTITUTION that compels US taxpayers to subsidize these people.
This is the United States of America.....a melting pot. Hyphenates should be banned.
Sounds like a planned take-down of the United States.
Yep. This stuff is connected.
I’m predicting that we’ll start seeing a renewed push for Puerto Rican statehood as well. I’ve been thinking about why Bammy plans a visit there and that’s what I come up with. Its a big bonus for democrats.
Interesting about Puerto Rico.
They’ve never voted majority to join the Union.
So what is Obama going to do? Shove statehood down their throats?
Wait!
I thought the whole reason Puerto Rico never wanted to join the Union was because of the special status granted to businesses on that island; that unions there aren’t a power with which to be reckoned.
Is PR heavily unionized? If so, I didn’t know that.
A simple equation. He knows it is going to be declared illegal by the State, so why should he stick his neck out? The State law is very clear on the subject, and it doesn’t matter what he does.
When the decision comes down, he can just shrug and say, “It doesn’t matter what you radicals think. It’s over.”
Oh there are plenty of unionistas in PR.
http://www.seiu521.org/SEIU_Convention_in_Puerto_Rico_a_Success.aspx
Now the Arizona Department of Education can do away with Ethnic Studies once and for all. Jokes on you, classroom commies.
I’m unfamiliar with this issue. From the article it sounds like he wanted to make this class an “elective”. Does that mean it is currently “mandatory” ? If so, how on earth did it get to be a required course in the first place ??
good lord
how come Mexicans in the southwest seem to have less in common with us?
is it numbers?
shame we can’t put them and thug kulture somewhere they enjoy one another’s bitchin
Yeah, communists and Muslims are everywhere nowadays.
It got me looking and it looks like all the worst unions have nested in PR. AFT, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, the SEIU.
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