Singling it down to one particular culture is the problem, IMO. Usually you have someone teaching it that feels very strongly about the subject and this tends to have their view points and beliefs passed on. Having a cultural studies group or class which covers multiple cultures wouldnt be a problem.

Belly35 wrote: Is American enthic?
If we are Americans then why study what we are not? I'm Irish but I don't require someone to teach me about being Irish Coffee, Beer drinking and pot of gold.

Because the world isn't entirely made up of Americans? And it isn't just Americans who have done things worth studying?

Studying the cultures of other groups can be and is just as valuable as studying American history and culture.

Writerbuckeye wrote: I don't think most people have any problem with ethnic studies, per se. It's how the material is presented that makes all the difference, and that is obviously key in this case.

However, I do have a problem with creating an entire and separate school based on ethnicity that purposefully separates those students out from the rest of the district.

If you want to give kids a purpose and try to tap into things that make them go, how about magnet schools in math, science or fine arts as opposed to focusing on racial differences? Seems like a better use of school facilities to me.

Agreed. Hence my problem with Africentric.

Schools entirely geared towards a specific race are something i'm not fine with, but the teaching of courses dealing with specific cultures, when open to all students and the like, i am completely fine with.

I think we're in agreement on most of this, Writer, i'm just not able to explain it all that well.

And yes, how the material is presented is indeed key in this case.

I'm just afraid of painting a broad brush of all ethnic studies courses as being some sort of "anti-American" propaganda course. And i know you aren't saying that. Just a fear of mine.

I had the chance to take a Native American Literature elective in high school, it was one of my favorite classes. I'm just thankful this bill has nothing to do with the fate of those types of classes.

cbus4life wrote:

Belly35 wrote: Is American enthic?
If we are Americans then why study what we are not? I'm Irish but I don't require someone to teach me about being Irish Coffee, Beer drinking and pot of gold.

Because the world isn't entirely made up of Americans? And it isn't just Americans who have done things worth studying?

Studying the cultures of other groups can be and is just as valuable as studying American history and culture.

Where does the fine line of enthic studies cross over to the promotion of enthic?

cbus4life wrote:

Writerbuckeye wrote: I don't think most people have any problem with ethnic studies, per se. It's how the material is presented that makes all the difference, and that is obviously key in this case.

However, I do have a problem with creating an entire and separate school based on ethnicity that purposefully separates those students out from the rest of the district.

If you want to give kids a purpose and try to tap into things that make them go, how about magnet schools in math, science or fine arts as opposed to focusing on racial differences? Seems like a better use of school facilities to me.

Agreed. Hence my problem with Africentric.

Schools entirely geared towards a specific race are something i'm not fine with, but the teaching of courses dealing with specific cultures, when open to all students and the like, i am completely fine with.

I'm just afraid of painting a broad brush of all ethnic studies courses as being some sort of "anti-American" propaganda course. And i know you aren't saying that. Just a fear of mine.

Agree completely.

Belly35 wrote:

cbus4life wrote:

Belly35 wrote: Is American enthic?
If we are Americans then why study what we are not? I'm Irish but I don't require someone to teach me about being Irish Coffee, Beer drinking and pot of gold.

Because the world isn't entirely made up of Americans? And it isn't just Americans who have done things worth studying?

Studying the cultures of other groups can be and is just as valuable as studying American history and culture.

Where does the fine line of enthic studies cross over to the promotion of enthic?

As Writer has said, that is all in the way the course is taught, how it is structured, etc.

It is difficult.

But, it is completely, completely possible for myriad courses on a variety of different subjects to be taught without promoting one over the other.

Literature classes based around a certain ethnicity are completely fine and worthwhile, IMO. As are history classes when taught properly and honestly.

Never hurts to get a different view on things, so long as it isn't "pro this" or "pro that," but presents the historical facts in an unbiased manner.

I took a Native American Literature class in high school, and witnessed Native American history classes taught in high school as a part of my undergraduate work, and i know it can be done.

But, very good question my friend.