TUSD swiftly punishes “incorrect” speech.
According to Adelita Grijalva, criticizing the radical politicization of students is forbidden
Last week Mark Stegeman said Mexican American Studies reminded him of a “cult”.
Last night Mark Stegeman, was purged for his politically incorrect words.
Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) Governing Board President, Mark Stegeman was ousted from his seat as Board President and replaced by fellow Board Member Miguel Cuevas at last night’s Board meeting. Board member, Adelita Grijalva, called for the ouster, which passed 3-2 with Stegeman and Michael Hicks voting no. (Grado, 2011)
The issue is both political and financial.
Many educators, and Arizona School Superintendent, John Huppenthal, have said TUSD's Mexican American Studies (MAS) curriculum promotes ethnic division. Huppenthal officially found MAS to violate state laws forbidding racial chauvinism and separation of students by race. TUSD is appealing the ruling. If TUSD’s appeal fails the district will lose almost $15 million a year in state funding.
Stegeman has said he supports studying Mexican-American history and culture. He has also said that he is concerned, however, that some classes promote ethnic resentment, which violates Arizona law. He evidently particularly angered Ms. Grijalva and hurt TUSD’s court appeal by relating an MAS classroom visit where he described “behavior that he said aligned with a book on cult psychology”. (Huicochea, 2011)
Board President, Stegeman also angered Board member Grijalva when he allowed free speech from a citizen who opposed MAS. Three weeks ago, on Aug. 3, a District parent spoke critically of MAS - mentioned bloodshed and made comments about Adelita Grijalva’s father, Congressman Raul Grijalva. Board President Stegeman warned the man not to make such comments again, but allowed him to continue speaking. (Huicochea, 2011)
Board member Grijalva was not happy with Stegeman’s response. She believes people who criticize her father and MAS have become a distraction.
Apparently, if Adelita Grijalva is displeased with certain speech, heads will roll!
The message is chilling: Elected Officials will not be allowed to criticize certain policies people and curriculums at TUSD. They will be punished for having “incorrect” opinions.
Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts would be very proud of the TUSD Board majority.
Grado, G. (2011). Arizona Capitol Times. TUSD Board member calls Mexican American studies a “cult”. http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2011/08/19/tusd-board-member-calls-mexican-american-studies-a-%e2%80%98cult%e2%80%99/?utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Capitol%20Times%20August%2024%20Morning%20Edition&utm_content=TUSD+board+member+calls+Mexican-American+studies+a+%e2%80%98cult%e2%80%99
Huicochea, A. (2011), Arizona Daily Star. President of TUSD Board demoted. http://azstarnet.com/news/local/education/precollegiate/article_16a47e35-7d4a-54c3-9a54-1ed772d4e788.html
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