Introduction to the Association of Raza Educators

The Association of Raza Educators (ARE) grew out of a response to the continued stereotyping and violation of the civic and human rights of the Raza community. Specifically, ARE emerged out of the organized struggle against the anti-Raza hysteria created by the passing of Prop 187 in November of 1994 and oppressive propositions such as Prop 209, 227, 21, working against more current policies such as HR 4437, “No Child Left Behind” federal legislation, and SB1070.   
 
For too long, our Raza history, economic contributions, and legacy of struggle in the land of our ancestors are conveniently ignored by textbooks and politicians.  Furthermore, we are continuously used as scapegoats every time there is an economic recession or politician’s need to blame someone for the problems in our society. We view student tracking and zero tolerance policies as racist phenomena that continue to oppress our Raza students within educational institutions.
 
Although historically natives to the southwest, we are viewed as aliens and strangers in our own lands. This alienation and rejection makes us targets of racism, poverty, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the police, and the designed “push- out† of Raza students from high schools and universities.
 
It is urgent that we address these issues through community organizing, using decolonizing pedagogy as a strategy for the promotion of democratic education in order to advance a critical social and political consciousness among our students, educators, and communities. We believe that our people must be organized and truly educated in order to take effective action against politicians, corporations, political organizations, and state institutions responsible for the oppression of our community.
 
† “Push-Out” Commonly called the “Drop Out Rate” ARE believes students are “pushed out” of High School as opposed to “Dropping Out”.