Arizona Republicans move to ban social justice courses and events at schools

[Jimbo101]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/13/arizona-schools-social-justice-courses-ban-bill

Republican lawmakers in Arizona are pushing to prohibit school courses and events that promote ethnic studies and social justice, with legislation that critics say broadly targets academic freedom and students of color.

The newly introduced bill – which seeks to build on an existing GOP-backed law that banned a Mexican American studies class – marks the latest attack in academia on activism and research centered on marginalized groups. Some opponents said the proposal is part of a national trend, tied to the election of Donald Trump, of lawmakers working to suppress progressive organizations and protests.

The bill, from state representative Bob Thorpe, would prohibit “courses, classes, events and activities” in public schools that promote “social justice toward a race, gender, religion, political affiliation, social class or other class of people”. Courses and events that are “designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group” or advocate “solidarity” based on ethnicity, race, religion or gender would also be banned.

“This really challenges a bedrock foundation of what it means to be involved in the academy,” said Rashad Shabazz, head faculty in the program of justice and social inquiry at Arizona State University. “It really puts a target on people of color and various academic fields that have emerged out of struggle.”

[Wellstone ruled]

1. What a

racist piece of crap. Arizona Republican Party is just the KKK sponsored by the Koch Brothers.

[GoCubsGo]

2. How is this kind of thing Constitutional? n/t

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. The hate is going to be coming at us from everywhere.

Be prepared for much much more.