Tucson, Arizona—In another controversial move, Arizona governor Jan Brewer signed a bill this week that bans ethnic studies in public schools. This comes just weeks after she signed an immigration bill that has already led to boycotts of the state.

The new law bans classes that are designed for a specific ethnic group, foster resentment toward a specific race or class, or promote overthrow of the U.S. government. The bill targets a Chicano studies program in Tucson’s school system, according to state superintendent Tom Horne.

Horne said they’re “teaching kids that the United States is oppressive; they were making them angry.” He added that the new law is “designed to get schools to teach kids to treat each other as individuals,” calling individuality a “fundamental American value.”

Democratic state legislator Kyrsten Sinema disagreed that the classes are divisive. “These courses all open to all students,” she said. “I think it is important for students to learn about their own cultural heritage and to have the opportunity to learn about our cultures and ethnicities” in Arizona.

State standards require kids to learn about all different cultures, Horne noted. Students “shouldn’t be ghettoized into certain cultures where they learn only about the culture of the race they have been born into.”

Only two percent of Tucson’s 55,000 students are enrolled in the Mexican-American program in question. Judy Burns, president of the district’s governing board, said she doesn’t intend to end the program. Schools that don’t comply with the new law could lose 10 percent of their state funding each month. “We don’t teach all those ugly things they think we’re teaching,” Burns said.

Sources: CNN.com, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press

Discussion Questions:

• What’s your reaction to this new legislation? What do this law and the recent immigration law say about the state of Arizona, in your opinion? Do you think this ethnic-studies ban will add fuel to the fire of protesters and boycott organizers? If you supervised or taught an ethnic studies program in Arizona, would you adhere to this new law? Why or why not?

• In your opinion, should students be able to learn more about their cultural heritage? If so, how should teachers present the material? Is it okay to talk about past injustices or perceived unfairness? Why or why not? Do ethnic studies classes automatically foster resentment or make people feel oppressed? Why or why not?

• What could be some of the benefits of studying the ethnic backgrounds of yourself and others? How important is your heritage to you, and why? Are you interested in learning more about other people’s history and beliefs? Why or why not?

• What judgments do you make about people, based on their cultural origins, looks, or group associations? Think of a time you’ve misjudged someone: How were your assumptions proven wrong, and what effect did that have on your thinking?

• How important is individuality? Do you agree that it should be the priority in America? Why or why not?

• Do you view yourself as only one person, or do you reflect on your various roles as parts of groups? What impact do the following characteristics or groupings have on you: gender, age, family member, church member, citizen, racial background?

• What are the pros and cons of viewing yourself as an independent individual? What does it mean to you to be part of a larger “body” of Christ?

Scripture links: Ezra 9:1-12; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 10:12-13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Galatians 3:26-29; and James 2:8-9.

Stephanie Martin is a freelance writer and editor in Colorado.