The purpose of ethnic studies is murky. I read and hear words like “understanding a person’s family history”, “learning about your family’s ethnic background”, “learning about you ethnic history”, “learning about someone else’s ethnic history”, and similar words. Carried to extreme are the degree programs at my own alma mater, California State University Northridge (CSUN).
At CSUN there are the Chicana and Chicano Studies that is part of the College of Humanities. I admit that I do not appreciate liberal arts degrees. They lead no where. There are no jobs or careers other than teaching that are interested in hiring liberal arts majors. I see even less value in ethnic studies. Here is the stated objective of this program.
1. Demonstrate an ability to think critically, analytically, and creatively about the Chicana/o experience in the local and global society.
2. Demonstrate competency in oral, written, and research skills.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of creative and performance arts.
4. Acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Chicana/o Studies history, culture, arts, language, and socio-political issues.
5. Acquire the leadership skills that will promote social change in Chicana/o communities and the broader society.
These kinds of studies are all about emphasizing differences between people rather than similarities. Arizona has banned these studies in Tucson because the classes are emphasizing racial separation and the return of the western United States to Mexico. Most Black Americans have ancestry that dates back hundreds of years in the United States. They are African by ancestral birth. We do not identify people with ancestry from Europe as European Americans.
We need more attitude encouraging integration. America’s objective has always been immigration and assimilation. Martin Luther King’s words: I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions.
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