Stuck In The Middle

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/12/29/tucson_orders_closure_of_mexican_american

My first reaction to hearing this one the radio was "This is absurd!"  What has the country come to when we have programs being shut down that work?  This program is effective in trying to get a demographic that struggles to do well in the educational system.  Besides, this reeks of racism. This is a group of people who what amounts to a government doing everything in its power to keep it from success.  Sure, Chicanos are great for picking crops, doing construction, and working fast food, but they do not warrant their own history is what the state of Arizona is saying. 

Not only that but this goes to show what I have said in previous blogs (http://www.fairtopartlymoderate.blogspot.com/2011/12/article-from-npr-about-role-of-blacks.html) about the demonizing of history in our schools.  Math, science and reading are all that is important.  Little matters if a student cannot type up a lab report in anything but text, it is important that they learn calculus. 

That being said, the more I listened to this article, the more I agreed with the State of Arizona, but not on the same grounds.  No, ultimately the program should not be closed.  It is effective, it is historical, and it is just plain racist to deny a group of people their past.  Why then would I agreed.  I am after all supposed to be liberalish. I agree (even if faintly) with this because I see this as a way away from these massive divisions in our country.  We have worked so hard to create a safe environment for all people (a noble effort) but at what cost?  I think the cost is our sense of community.  Simply put what I am saying is: the fact that we recognize every difference makes it worse.  Why not simply see people for what they are: People.  We all have basically the same parts, it matters little (in my mind's eye) what you do with this parts,what color those parts are, or who you do what with those parts.  We all have brains in our heads, that can be developed.  What should matter most is what we do with them.  Yes there are going to be differences, but we have gotten so hung up on those that it all we see. 

So where does that leave me?  Keep the program, but do so in the mindset of being a history of people.  People who belong to a larger group of people.
Out of many, One seems to be a pretty good closing