Save Ethnic Studies_ Arizona

Dear Chicana/o scholar and supporter. We want to send out the following letter (see attachment) in support for La Raza Studies Program in Tucson. It comes down to "if we do not support our own who will support us." We would like you to be one of the endorsers. We have to act immediately. If you could get other signers please let us know and we'll contact them. Please include institutional affiliation. Send response toracuna@csun.edu<mailto:racuna@csun.edu>.

For the Committee On Save Ethnic Studies,

Rodolfo F. Acuna
David Sandoval
Mary Pardo
Save Ethnic Studies, Inc.

Dear Colleagues and Supporters:
  On January 1, 2011, HB 2281 became effective in Arizona, a law passed in April 2010 that attacks La Raza Studies. The law's supporters claim that we are unpatriotic and unAmerican, a statement that we take great exception to. Books such as Occupied America and Pedagogy of the Oppressed are cited as proof of their opinions. At present the future looks grim. The Board of Education that was supposed to defend the program has bailed out. The teachers of Raza Studies have filed a suit defending the right of the program to teach the history of our people.

  We feel that if the xenophobes are successful, the entire area of Ethnic Studies is threatened. It enables similar attacks on programs outside of Arizona and sanctions censorship. We feel that we must stand together and are appealing to you for support. It takes money to mount a legal challenge. The pool of available money is small in the Tucson area. It is a poor community and the hundreds of thousands of dollars that this suit will take is beyond our means.

  The discovery process alone will run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is the political core of the case that will show the motivation of the framers of this legislation and point to who is financing this libelous campaign.

  Please take time to view
1-http://vimeo.com/15062646  (Precious Knowledge Trailer)
2-http://www.saveethnicstudies.org/index.shtml  (Tucson campaign)
3-http://www.saveethnicstudies.org/news.shtml
4-http://www.saveethnicstudies.org/meet_us.shtml 

 

 Would you please help by sending a donation? You can also help arrange fundraisers in your area. We need transportation costs and would greatly appreciate honorariums. Concerts and the like featuring local artists, musicians and poets are a fantastic way of getting people together.

  Please go online to donate and for more information:
http://www.saveethnicstudies.org/save_ethnic_studies.shtml.
Deyanina Nevarez is the point person. You can reach her at (520) 975-1485 or via email atinfo@saveethnicstudies.org<mailto:info@saveethnicstudies.org>.

Make payable to: Save Ethnic Studies Defense Fund Mail to:

Save Ethnic Studies
        307 S. Convent Ave
       Tucson, AZ 85701
Or donate by Credit Card:http://www.saveethnicstudies.org/donate.shtml

Venceremos,

Save Ethnic Studies Defense Committee

Save Ethnic Studies is filed with the Arizona Corporation
Commission as a non-profit corporation. We are seeking recognition of
exemption from the IRS under section 501 (c) 4. Contributions to Save Ethnic
Studies are non-tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Please contact
your tax advisor for further information. Printed In-House Labor Donated.