As of right now, without looking up another source, my understanding is that Ethnic Studies is the focused study of a particular ethnic group or number of groups, most notably ones that have faced circumstances of oppression. Related to the topic are ideas of race, racism, social hierarchy, roles in society, and identity. Essentially, Ethnic Studies deals with the interactions of ethnic groups and how these interactions affect the people involved.
Today, Ethnic Studies is regarded as its own discipline. I believe that this is due to both its significance and lack of existence in the past. Traditionally, in the white dominated society that is America, we only learn of histories and values that pertain to white americans, and as such we are imposed with the idea of a White Racial Frame; the idea that the media and influence that we face helps shape us to think and behave in ways that would appease a white dominated society. Under this means of thought, the education system would emphasize the success of the “superior” white history while briefly mentioning, or even failing to recognize, the histories of other “minority” groups. This same system of thinking is closely tied to the idea of “American Exceptionalism” or the idea that the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth and that these United States receive privilege because they are simply the forefront of modernism and success, no questions asked. Under this premise of American Exceptionalism, even when the histories of oppressed groups are introduced, they are often done so in a glorified manner that lightens the oppressive nature of the original incident. It is from these ideas that Ethnic Studies eventually became its own discipline. Since it was seen that it was almost impossible to receive proper education with regard to non-whites, there were those who fought for ethnic studies to be taught in schools.
Today in Arizona there exists a law that prohibits the existence of a course that is dedicated to the study of a specific ethnic group, with Mexican-Americans being the main target. To me this is an act of oppression on the Mexican-American community that is founded on the basis of racism. Racism in America? Wasn’t that dealt with in the 60’s with the civil rights movements? Apparently not. Today there still exists individual, institutional, and cultural racism in America that influences how we live. The law to prohibit the study of a particular ethnic group is an example of how individually sourced racism then gets transmuted to the institution of education which then significantly affects our culture. So, in essence, this single law exemplifies how racism still affects Americans on many levels.
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