IAAB Condemns Recent Actions by Tucson Unified School District
Last month in Tucson, Arizona, the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) deemed a number of books unacceptable and subsequently removed them from its classrooms. After voting to ban Mexican American Studies from their school district, TUSD no longer allows the following books to be taught to their students:
- Critical Race Theory by Richard Delgado
- 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures edited by Elizabeth Martinez
- Message to AZTLAN by Rodolfo Corky Gonzales
- Chicano! The History of the Mexican Civil Rights Movement by Arturo Rosales
- Occupied America: A History of Chicanos by Rodolfo Acuna
- Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire
- Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years by Bill Bigelow
IAAB stands in solidarity with students, parents, teachers and community members challenging recent laws against teaching certain books as part of a larger attack on ethnic studies, and indigenous, immigrant and diasporic communities. As an organization, IAAB supports students' rights to learn about and participate in their own histories, and to access culturally respectful and affirming educational spaces. More broadly, IAAB recognizes TUSD's decision as an attempt to restrict the power of critical texts to help young people develop social analysis, leadership, and solidarity within and across communities - hallmarks of a meaningful education.
Some of the books listed above are foundational texts for IAAB’s own curriculum and educational philosophy. IAAB aims to situate Iranian American experiences in a broader historical and global context, generating dialogue with other immigrant and diasporic communities. Through IAAB programs, students engage with the rich histories of communities of color in the United States as well the struggles of immigrant and diasporic communities the world over. IAAB encourages students to access and take control of their narratives, to learn their histories, and to affirm their transcultural identities.
By restricting access to critical ethnic studies courses, texts, and ideas, the Tuscon Unified School District threatens educational access and equity more broadly. IAAB supports the continued development of alternative educational spaces and stands with teachers and students defending their right to an equitable education within our schools and communities.
To learn more about this issue and how you can take action, please click here for background information and click here to pledge support to the students and teachers protesting the recent bans.
