Huppenthal vs Martinez debate on Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! January 18th, 2012 featured a half hour segment to the Mexican American Studies ban in Tucson. It begins with Professor Rudy Acuña and then there is a debate in which Martinez destroys Huppenthal.

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  News & Politics

[dgtgmom]

Yeah Rudy. Don't let them bring you down. Keep up the great work you have been doing.

[Elizabeth Faraone]

In short, we're all one.

[Elizabeth Faraone]

How can he compare these books to "Mein Kampf." Since Huppenthal does not identify himself with Latinos and identifies himself as a "White American", then he should work on his changing his "white" history, instead of dismantling a history that is far more accurate than anything he has been taught about what he believes to be his own glorious history. I'm sure he doesn't realize that EVERYONE is descendent from Africa, although that knowledge shouldn't excuse his recent ancestors' bad behavior

[Elizabeth Faraone]

According to the National Council of La Raza, the term “La Raza” has its origins in early 20th century Latin American literature and translates into English most closely as “the people,” or, according to some scholars, “the Latino people of the New World.” So Huppenthal wants to stop the people or the Latino people. Stop them from doing what? From asserting their human rights? From asserting that no one is illegal?

[Elizabeth Faraone]

Rigorous analysis? It is not hard work to analyze graduation rates and college entrance rates. It's very basic. Huppenthal is a pretender.

[Elizabeth Faraone]

I wish these politicians who destroy successful education programs (they've been doing it for centuries) whould cease and desist. I do not like Huppenthal.

[Elizabeth Faraone]

Huppenthal claims that the teachers knew what was inappropriate and that the inappropriate behavior disappeared when they were being observed and that people don’t do inappropriate things when they are being watched. This is a fallacy. "He that is conscious of guilt cannot bear the innocence of others: So they will try to reduce all others to their own level." - Charles James Fox

[Elizabeth Faraone]

Benjamin Franklin was a slave owner. He was the oppressor fighting for the rights of the oppressed. Huppenthal is the oppressor and he sees himself as a savior. He identifies with Benjamin Franklin. Che Guevera did not have slaves. Che Guevera sacrified his own life, in an attempt to create a safer world. I am no advocate for violence. I’m sure Huppenthal is an advocate for violence in the form of war, when it suits him.

[Elizabeth Faraone]

Huppenthal assumes that once students are taught the history of oppression, they will want to seek revenge. This is his fear. This was the same fear many had of African-Americans during the civil rights movement as laws were changing to semi-protect African-Americans.

[Elizabeth Faraone]

Classes that teach the history of the oppressed (rather than a glorified history of the oppressors) are very threatening to Huppenthal. They threaten his livelihood, his position of power and his lifestyle.