Students who were suspended from Wakefield Middle School in Tucson for walking out earlier this week spent the day attending MAS classes at the UA. So did a suspended Pueblo H.S. student. In the second class, they were treated to the words of world=renowned writer poet, Simon Ortiz. No sooner had they finished attending the last class of the day did the Wakefield students receive word that their suspensions had been lifted. They walked out to protest the dismantling of the Mexican American Studies program.
Thanks to all who showed support for these courageous students.
Separate from attending classes, they also presented at the Centro on campus, explaining why they walked out.
Another and bigger event is being planned on the UA campus to further educate the campus community re the dismantling of the MAS-TUSD program.
It's a small victory, though a victory nonetheless. Oddly, the board member (Michael Hicks) who introduced the resolution to dismantle the MAS prorgam, but kept playing hide and go seek, not introducing himself to the students or anyone else. He would have been welcomed to speak to the students as they are powerful and would have been able to answer any of his questions.
*** If you have not signed the petition re the TUSD book banning, please do so. Go to: https://www.change.org/petitions/tucson-school-board-dont-lock-up-knowledge-return-books-to-students-now
The thing to remember is that they have actually dismantled a program, thrashed a discipline and banned not just the 7 boxed books. The actual number of books in the curriculum number more than 50. For a list, go to: http://drcintli.blogspot.com/2012/01/undocumented-mas-books.html
Thanks & Sincerely
Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez
PO BOX 3812
Tucson, AZ 85722
520-626-0824
COLUMN: http://drcintli.blogspot.com/
ARCHIVED COLUMN OF THE AMERICAS
http://web.me.com/columnoftheamericas
Cintli don't tweet, text, facebook and is not linked... neither do I own a TV... but you can still email or call me.
