Latino Studies curriculum will make CPS (Chicago Public Schools) a pioneer [edited]

Catalyst Chicago ^ | March 9, 2015 | Melissa Sanchez

[C19fan]

When CPS unveiled its interdisciplinary Latino and Latin American studies curriculum last week, there was one module that really jumped out at School Board member Jesse Ruiz.

Eighth grade students at district-run schools will learn about the World War II-era “bracero” program that brought Mexicans to the U.S. to fill labor shortages in agricultural fields. It’s a little-known bit of immigration history that’s more often taught in college ethnic studies courses or upper-level high school classes than in elementary schools.

“My father was a bracero,” says Ruiz, before recounting his father’s stories of brutal treatment by supervisors in the fields. “I’m so glad that students at CPS will learn about guys like my dad.”

[C19fan]

A jobs program for all the losers who majored in [Fill in Blank] Studies and are stuck working at Starbucks. You have a school system that is fundamentally failing to teach students basic skills like reading and writing and I bet vast majority could not identify the quarter century the Civil War occurred in but are now going to learn about more about Cesar Chavez than George Washington and count like the Mayans did even though they cannot do basic math. Looks like the CPS is going all in producing the next generation of McDonalds workers.

[Regulator]

The Bracero program was voluntary.

It was necessary since the white guys were drafted and had to go save the Planet.

They did.

But no one forced any Bracero into the program. Many didn’t go home - and became illegals in so doing - because being poor in America was better then being just about anything in Mexico, which was...and is...trapped in the 14th century.

They won’t teach that. This will be a new Grievance rant, designed to outrage and infuriate those who will then righteously demand compensation...money, power, control.

In other words, a political diatribe with one meme...”de Gringos is EVIL!...now let us rule you”.

[Will88]

Will they also be taught about Mexico’s contribution, or lack thereof, in supplying troops to fight in WWII? Mexico supplied one fighter squadron which finally got into action in 1945. - And Mexico did declare war on the Axis powers in 1942, but did next to nothing militarily to help win the war.

Having Mexicans come to the US for jobs, better paying jobs than available in Mexico, is hardly some great commitment or sacrifice to the war effort.