Testimony: April 2, 2009
Lorena V. Márquez, Doctoral Candidate, University of California, San Diego
I was born and raised in Northern California. My parents were migrant workers and thus my world view was centered on my lived experiences as a poor Mexican immigrant child who had to navigate a series of often culturally hostile environments. To make matters worse, as a Spanish native speaker, the CA public school system made it so that often we were ridiculed rather than encouraged when we attempted to speak English.
You may think to yourself, Lorena, you turned out OK, so what could you possibly complain about? It is not a complaint that I wish to raise but rather a concern that we are turning our backs on the largest ethnic minority in California—the increasing Latino/a population—by not providing them (and others) with a true and representative view of U.S. history.
Unfortunately, it was not until I was an undergraduate at Sacramento State that I learned about Chicano/a history. I then understood the complexities and multi-layered history that makes the fabric of this country. Had it not been for my exposure to this history in college I would have never found my passion for teaching.
I often give Chicano/a history workshops to high school students at no expense. Without a doubt, I am always asked the same question: “Why don’t our teachers teach us this?” These high school students feel as if though they were cheated of a true education. I don’t blame them. I simply state that the teachers are being held accountable to a CA state curriculum that does not include their history. They complain that they only learn--if they’re lucky--about César Chávez. Again, I can only encourage them to do research on their own.
I am here to ask that you consider these students and hear their voices. I ask that you include the history of Chicanos/as and other communities of color because in doing so, you not only acknowledge their existence, but most importantly, their contributions and legacies to the United States.
Thank you for your time and attention. See more on the History/Social Science Framework link below.
Testimony: Martin Ramirez. April 2,2009.
Martin Ramirez – Educator Luther Burbank High School
It is urgent that the History-Social Science Framework be revised to provide an accurate history of contributions by Mexicanos, Mexican Americans, Latinos, Chicanos, and Asians to the history of the state and the nation. The current framework histography is outdated.
Current Framework incorporates African American, Native American, and women’s history but lacks coverage of Latino and Asian history
Latinos and Asian groups are the fastest growing population in the California; therefore, it is critical that their history is incorprated into the course descriptions. If we intend to empower these groups; such reform needs to take place. One factor causing teen involvement in gangs is the lack of cultural Identity. Content is not relevant to student lives; moreover, does not motivate students.
Lastly, if we intend to prepare the current minority groups that soon will become the majority. Drastic measures must be taken to change the History-Social Science frameworks. Currently, we are not preparing our students for civic life.