Arizona Censors History Curriculum

At Yad Vashem, I met a woman from Germany with a bus load of tourists from there. I remember her astonishment at learning six million Jews were killed in WWII. The holocaust really was real, she said in shock. I remember her body stunned and her eyes disillusioned as she said, "They didn't teach us about this in school!"

She was 40. In my 22-year-old-mind, it confirmed everything I ever learned at home about anti-Semitism and tolerance and acceptance. I live in a small town in Wisconsin. Most cheeseheads are German. The beer and sausages are worth a drive, as is the scenery. It's a beautiful state with friendly people. That said, it is horrifying to see a blot in their history manifest in the United States of America.

A new Arizona law removes intercultural awareness from history curricula. This could really unify the country! But for the better? Of course it depends on who you talk to. This sort of blind-eye tactic worked in Germany, producing generations of people ashamed of themselves trying to save face with future generations by censoring the history curricula in its schools. Now it has happened here for the first time in a long time.

Letters to the editor published by the Wisconsin State Journal dominantly favor the Arizona immigration law. However, the state's most comprehensive newspaper hasn't reported that Arizona also passed HB 2281, which censors history.

HB 2281 prohibits Arizona school districts from teaching Latino-centered curricula, though statistics show students enrolled in ethnic studies courses do better in school. (See: http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/201005120004) The Los Angeles Times reported that school districts not complying with the new law "could have as much as 10% of their state funds withheld each month. Districts have the right to appeal the mandate, which goes into effect Dec. 31." [Los Angeles Times, 5/12/10]

The horrible thing is that in so many ways what Arizona is doing is soooo American. When people get afraid, they blame other people for their fears. Fears are just illusions that prevent connection to peace and love.

Stand against injustice. Speak up, even if you are not Latino.

In WWII Germany, Protestant Pastor and activist Reverend Martin Niemöller's most famous words note that he did not stand up for unionists, socialists or Jews; and when the authorities came for him there was no one left to speak up for him.

The Reverend had personally welcomed the coming to power of the Nazis in 1933. In that year his autobiography, From U-boat to Pulpit, had been published. The story of how this submarine commander in the First World War had become a prominent Protestant pastor was singled out for special praise in the Nazi press and became a best seller. To Pastor Niemoeller, as to many a Protestant clergyman, the fourteen years of the Republic had been, as he said, "years of darkness" and at the close of his autobiography he added a note of satisfaction that the Nazi revolution had finally triumphed and that it had brought about the "national revival" for which he himself had fought so long — for a time in the free corps, from which so many Nazi leaders had come. (Quoted from: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Niem%C3%B6ller)

According to the site, "He was soon to experience a terrible disillusionment. ... By the beginning of 1934...Niemoeller had become the guiding spirit of the minority resistance in both the 'Confessional Church' and the Pastor's Emergency League. ...After delivering a rebellious sermons in Dahlem...transcripts of his tapped telephone conversations were presented to Hitler. In a bellow, Hitler ordered Niemöller to be put in a concentration camp and, since he had proven himself to be incorrigible, kept there for life."

Follow the good reverend's lead. Listen to him. Listen with an open mind and positive attitude. Appreciate diversity. It fosters creativity, and inspires an open mind.