Mañana is now !
We need your letters insisting on the expansion of Mexican
American history. The closing date is
May 1, 2015. Mañana is now.
We have a unique opportunity to change the history books in
California K-12 to include
Chicano/Mexican American history- but we must act now. This is the time to get
that letter written and e mailed asking
that Mexican American history be included in the re write of the History/Social
Science Framework for California Schools.
Mexican American/ Chicano history is currently substantially
absent from public school textbooks and curriculum in California- and it has
been since 1986. See the prior post below. A guide to writing
such a letter is here. https://sites.google.com/site/democracyandeducationorg/Home/latino-students-and-civic-engagement/project-plan---mexican-american-history.
The following letter from historian Dr. Lorena Marquez
details some of the important Chicano history that is not covered in the
framework and not covered in California history textbooks.
To the History/Social Science Framework Committee
Dear History Social Science Framework Committee,
I strongly urge you to revise
the current draft of the History/Social Science Framework to include a
more adequate recording of the history of California and the nation by
including the significant contributions of ethnic Mexicans. Exclusion and
omission of this history is a great disservice to the generations of
Chicanas/os who have worked tirelessly to build this country. Latinos comprise
nearly 39% of the state population and now constitute over 52% of the students
in our schools. By hearing their histories in the larger rubric of United
States history, they will feel validated, but most importantly, they will be
empowered to make positive change in their communities.
I recommend extension of
the description of the Chicano movement to more adequately address this issue.
Recommended additions: Line 1959. Page 348.
