About Ethnic Studies

In California, the state that drives national curricula, the intent of Ethnic Studies was to empower students, to build bridges of inter-ethnic understanding, and to foster "an appreciation for the contributions of multiple cultures.” 

Instead, California’s Ethnic Studies has been hijacked by political activists and a field called Critical (or “Liberated”) Ethnic Studies, which aims to "bring into conversation the ways that concerted efforts and collectivized resistance to US imperialism ground our approaches for dismantling the (neo)colonial schooling apparatus.” (Education at War: The Fight for Students of Color in America’s Public Schools, 2018)

Constructive vs. Critical/Liberated Ethnic Studies

 

There are different ways to teach Ethnic Studies (ES). Constructive Ethnic Studies focuses on educating and building understanding, while tackling challenging issues through an analytic lens. Students are taught civic responsibility, exposed to multiple political perspectives, and encouraged to develop opinions based on inquiry. Its guiding principles specifically guard against political indoctrination and are based on the History-Social Science Framework for California Public Schools.

In contrast, Critical/Liberated Ethnic Studies imposes a narrow political ideology, promotes a militant, anti-Western agenda, polarizes students, and views history and civics entirely through a racial lens. It divides students into powerful oppressors and disempowered victims, categorizing them based on inborn color-based identity, not individual characteristics, and frames ideas and groups in all-or-nothing terms. This pits students against each other based on ideology or skin color. Critical/Liberated ES also forces students to accept predetermined answers, rather than inviting inquiry.

While both approaches aim to address racism, Constructive Ethnic Studies leads to critical analysis of multiple perspectives, informed decision making, and respectful dialogue. On the other hand, Critical Ethnic Studies leads to doctrine regurgitation, closed-mindedness, and bullying of those expressing different opinions.

This contrast chart summarizes the main differences between the two approaches.

The Goals of Ethnic Studies Curricula

 

Ethnic Studies aims to teach the history of ethnic minorities in the United States, celebrate their accomplishments, and allow for honest conversation about racism and discrimination these communities face. AB-2016, the California law that mandated the development of an Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC), was passed with this goal in mind.

Teaching Constructive Ethnic Studies can empower students to combat racism without polarizing them or proselytizing a narrow Critical ES ideology.

Guiding Principles for Ethnic Studies

 

Guiding Principles are key to differentiating between Critical/Liberated and Constructive Ethnic Studies because they establish the framework for teachers to use. The Principles outline the overall approach that teachers will follow.

Critical Ethnic Studies (also called "Liberated" Ethnic Studies) Guiding Principles state that curriculum objectives should:

  • Critique empire and its relationship to white supremacy, racism, patriarchy, cisheteropatriarchy, capitalism, ableism, anthropocentrism, and other forms of power and oppression at the intersections of our society

  •  Challenge imperialist/colonial hegemonic beliefs and practices on the ideological, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized levels

  • Connect ourselves to past and contemporary resistance movements that struggle for social justice on the global and local levels to ensure a truer democracy. ("Truer democracy” is a Marxist term referring to Communism and the abolition of private property.)

These principles shift the focus from ethnic studies and from countering racism and all its causes, to a focus on foreign policy and colonialism.  In addition, Recognizing the risks of infusing political dogma into classrooms the ESMC clarifies that “At the college and university level, Ethnic Studies and related courses are sometimes taught from a specific political point of view. In K–12 education it is imperative that students are exposed to multiple perspectives, taught to think critically and form their own opinions.” While Liberated ES contradicts this guideline, in contrast:

Constructive Ethnic Studies curricula aim to:

  • Empower students to dream big, overcome challenges, and be motivated, engaged community members

  • Build mutual respect, self-confidence, awareness, intergroup understanding and empathy

  • Elevate ethnic groups, their backgrounds, and contributions without denigrating others

  • Openly and honestly address racism and discriminatory treatment;

  • Present a range of political perspectives and approaches to bringing about change, including strengths and weaknesses of each

  • Equip students with the skills to understand and analyze multiple points of view on relevant topics, so that they can develop their own opinions and present well-articulated, evidence-based argument

How Does Critical Theory Fit In?

 

The media and political talking heads have turned Critical Race Theory (CRT) into a political football, often misrepresenting how it is used in schools. CRT is a legal theory that has been taught for decades in law schools. This theory sees all of society's ills through a single lens - a racial one. It is one thing to teach and examine CRT in law schools, where it is taught among many other theories.

However it is not appropriate to make this very specific ideological theory the lens through which to teach any K-12 classes. Critical/Liberated Ethnic Studies is harmful because it makes CRT the sole ideological framework of the curriculum.

ACES believes that the foundation of a meaningful education involves analytical thinking, which requires a diversity of ideas and perspectives, such as those of  the non-violent Civil Rights movement - a movement shunned by Critical/Liberated curricula for being too “passive.” Analyzing history through multiple perspectives gives students the necessary skills and framework to form educated opinions.

Constructive Ethnic Studies

 

Constructive Ethnic Studies is taught in many forms throughout school districts in California. Please contact us to receive the ACES curriculum outline.

In addition, organizations such as Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), have developed new Constructive ES curricula, which follow the ESMC guidelines and explore “the true diversity within and among ethnic groups in American society by highlighting the challenges these groups have faced, including racism and discrimination, the resources they have used to meet those challenges, and the positive contributions they have made to the American story.”

Contact calethstudies@gmail.com to learn about various Constructive ES curricula.