Four witnesses testified during the first day of the three-part administrative hearing on the Tucson Unified School District’s appeal of Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal’s findings that the district’s Mexican American Studies classes defy the state’s anti-ethnic studies law.
However, it was the testimony of TUSD board president Mark Stegeman that offered another perspective the controversial board member has never shared with the public — his personal observations of the Mexican American Studies classes and how they remind him of cult-like behaviors he studied in a book.
Looking distressed, uncomfortable and sometimes pained as he sat on the dais offering testimony as an expert witness for the state, Stegeman was first asked if he was familiar with the MAS program and that all the governing board is required to approve the curriculum and books.
Stegeman said yes, and then the attorney for the state reminded Stegeman of his action last year when he requested the board staff to find out all board actions on the program, and the result was that there were no actions, but books approved on consent agenda. “But no formal approval of the classes.”
The attorney asked Stegeman if he has experience with critical race theory. He said yes, from his college days. Then Stegeman is asked to discuss notes he took after visiting two MAS classes — Curtis Acosta’s Chicano literature class at Tucson Magnet High School and Jose Gonzalez’s social justice American government perspectives class at Rincon High School.
Also included in his notes, given to the state as part of a record request prior to the hearing, was a photo of a statement or artwork hanging outside an ethnic studies classroom — exactly what it is isn’t shown or specifically described by the attorney or Stegeman.
The attorney wanted to know who the teacher was who gave him the photo. Stegeman squirmed in this seat, hesitates and looks down at a notebook in front of him. He answered that it was given to him by Travis Kline, a teacher at Pueblo High School. Later in the testimony, Stegeman uncomfortably described the photo — a statement about the Arizona flag’s star and that it is now a Nazi symbol post-SB 1070.
Back to discussing the classes he visited, Stegeman said Gonzalez had a picture of a political cartoon up and was asking the students to write about it and then breakout into small groups to discuss. During the discussion period, Stegeman says he stepped away and then happened to notice a power point presentation on Gonzalez’s laptop that made references to segregating students, among other things that made the board president uncomfortable.
Stegeman noted that Gonzalez asked his students at the end of the class what made the class special, and students answered social activism or social justice. Stegeman said he speculated the teacher changed his class for Stegeman’s benefit.
During his visit to Acosta’s classes, Stegeman made notes that the class was mostly Latino, although one student mentioned that they were half-Anglo and half-Mexican.
But what troubled Stegeman more than the racial make-up of the class was the traditional clapping and chanting each MAS class begins with.
In Stegeman’s notes he described it as ritualized. “I guess I had an epiphany,” Stegeman told the attorney. He instantly thought about a book he read a long time ago that described different facets and the social dynamics of cult psychology.
That cult-like behavior he observed out of the classroom, too, and he found it troubling that classes had a social justice frame. “My overall impression is that what happens in class is collective identity.”
Stegeman shared a story from his notes about a student who came up to him weeping because she was worried about her teacher, Acosta, for his future and his pregnant wife. Stegeman said it made him uncomfortable because teachers are supposed to be caregivers, not students.
As the year moved on, Stegeman said he also experienced rhetoric from MAS supporters that was hateful and accusations from members of the community that he wanted to destroy the program.
“When the district proposed a forum the resistance was so big,” Stegeman says, adding he didn’t understand why. He was also troubled that when Acosta introduced him to his classroom he was introduced as the “Person who wrote the op-ed,” referring to the editorial Stegeman wrote for the Arizona Daily Star unveiling an early idea to expand the MAS program by turning most of the classes into electives, rather than offering them as credit-classes that fulfilled history requirements for graduation.
This spring, Stegeman pushed the idea and created a resolution. High school students spoke against the proposal in a series of board meetings and eventually those same students, along with former MAS students who attend the UA, took over the board meeting and prevented a vote on the resolution — which ended up delayed indefinitely.
Stegeman also complained to the state’s attorney about the rhetoric he hears from the community about the Hispanic population eventually being the majority population.
When it was Heather Gaines’ turn, the school district’s attorney from DeConcini McDonald Yetwin and Lacy, she asked Stegeman is he would agree that MAS has become “a very emotionally charged issue in Tucson.”
“Yes,” Stegeman answered.
Gaines asked Stegeman that when he was observing Gonzalez’s class at Rincon, did he hear anything that sounded like the teacher was promoting resentment toward a race or class of people or advocating for ethnic solidarity.
“Not that I remember, but political content,” he answered.
“When the teacher asked what they liked about the class and they said the emphasis on social justice, it wasn’t Chicano-centric, was it?” Gaines asked.
“No, it wasn’t.”
But when it came to Acosta’s class, there was something different — the rhythmic clapping was more relevant in the literature teacher’s class, Stegeman said.
“For whatever reason I did not get the same sense in Mr. Gonzalez’s class of a ritualized activity that I observed in Acosta’s… it’s a matter of interpretation…”
TUSD governing board member Mike Hicks took to the dais after Stegeman to also testify as an expert witness on behalf of the state.
The state’s attorney asked Hicks about a press release he sent out that was published in the Tucson Weekly’s Range, in which Hicks questioned the district’s decision to appeal Huppenthal’s findings and the circumstances surrounding the vote.
The first round of voting, Superintendent John Pedicone’s request to appeal was denied, but then the board decided to vote again, and it was Hick’s vote that turned it around and allowed the appeal.
Hicks said he thought it was to get an idea of how the district was in noncompliance of the law, but the district denied issues they knew were true, such as not properly approving the curriculum and text books.
The attorney also asked Hicks to explain his thoughts about the classes. Are teachers indoctrinating students and is there an “us versus them” mentality being created. Yes, Hicks answered. He said he discussed this with parents and students, some that had been in the MAS classes. At functions and parties, Hicks said people share with him their thoughts and concerns about MAS.
“In light of the revelations do you believe the program must come to an end? Do you believe it is out of compliance?”
“Yes, it is my personal belief based on information I have received from excerpts from books, communications teachers have presented, YouTube videos. I feel I am a pretty logical individual …That’s my belief,” Hicks answered.
During Hicks testimony and other witnesses, including Arizona Department of Education’s chief of programs and policy, John Stollar, were asked about a scholarly paper published by TUSD student equity director Augustine Romero and MAS director Sean Arce, co-founders in some regards to the existing MAS program.
The article discusses issues surrounding white privilege and how this relates to early U.S. history and current issues, among other topics.
“Does this raise a concern in your mind that the education philosophy might be in violation and promote a race or class of people,” the attorney asked, pointing to the article, although the article is not used in the classroom.
“I think it can be construed as,” Hicks said.
Hicks was also asked if he believed TUSD was in violation of the anti-ethnic studies law, and he answered yes.
Hicks discussed his observation of MAS teacher Sally Rusk’s classroom at Pueblo High School. The TUSD attorney relayed that the classroom discussion during that time was on the Zoot Suit Riots and is a potentially volatile topic.
Hicks agreed.
“Did you observe discussion that promoted racial resentment?”
Hicks said no. The only odd thing about the visit was that the school’s principal and vice principal sat in on the observation, too. It was the only classroom Hicks visited.
Tomorrow, the Range will have more from Hicks, and others who testified at the hearing. Part Two.
This article appears in Aug 18-24, 2011.
Ritual brainwashing of children? Them against us mentality? Poster propaganda in the schools? Are we allowing Maoist, National Socialist, or Marxist practices and procedures in our schools? Have we not learned that brainwashing the population by allowing ingrained extremist propaganda causes suffering and injury?
Definition: Propaganda: “….ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect …….”
Definition: Brainwashing: “…..a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas …..”
These are our teachers’ methods? For what intent?
Shut down this racist crap! Quit spoon feeding racist ideas to children! No wonder our society is going to hell in a handbasket!
My relatives came from Switzerland, I wonder why a class was not available to me? And what about the russians,chinese and every other country. I think if we are interested in countries other than out own we can go to the library or better yet turn on a computer. I do not like my tax dollars going to this nonsense. I think our classroom time can be better spent on making a better future for our young Americans. My relatives never forgot where they came from, they also embraced America and adapted to their new life. My relatives are American first, not some hyphenated American. If you think about it there is a reason people leave other countries. Why not embrace the country that you live in and learn about what makes this country so great. I guess that would not work, that would be productive.
Mammey,
If you’re going to apply the definition of propoganda to one educational program, you should reconsider your outlook on all of TUSD’s curriculum. What extremist propoganda are you referring to? The MAS program is an amazing outlet of knowledge and growth for young adults in our community. Whether Latino or not, you cannot erase history or rob its fact from future generations. How is presenting plain historical fact forcible indoctrination? I’m a 23 year-old white female, and if I want to learn about my culture I can pick up a US History book. Whether you’d like to acknowledge it or not, this country was founded on the backs of slaves, and by forcing Native Americans out of the country. I love the US, but I also love the fact that I’m an educated young person who has learned the importance of seeing the truths of history (beautiful or hideous). How do we expose ourself to the potential good and evil humanity is capable of? Ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s just ignorance and I won’t support an education system (which by the way- already ranks lowest in the entire country) if it cannot promote providing a full-spectrum of truth in knowledge.
You guys are so ill informed. And so is Stegeman and Hicks. Sitting in on one class doesn’t make you an expert. Ethnic studies takes into account all minorities when dealing with theories, dominant society vs. minority societies. There’s nothing racist about that and it really is inclusive. The lit classes and history classes topics have to do with where we are in the Southwest (not to mention European history and European literature classes are totally fine). There is not exactly a huge Russian immigrant population but they can still take something away from ethnic studies classes. You all have to deal with the fact that there is a large population of Latino children in this district who fall through the traditional education system that was not set up for them. Ethnic studies closes that academic gap and gives all children the chance to succeed. Tucson is the only place where these studies take place and they work. If they were to spread to other areas, then they could be adjusted to work with whichever minority population is present, Russian, Chinese, Swiss.
And c10jm- supposedly what made this country so great was that we are a nation of immigrants. So good for your Swiss relatives for migrating here. BUT you see they happen to be the ‘right’ color and probably blended in with the dominant society so that wasn’t a problem, especially after they had kids and their kids had kids. But that kind of assimilation is a lot harder for people of color. And the REASON why those classes weren’t readily available for your relatives was because the children of racially oppressed people had not yet taken up the cause and fought for Civil Rights, yet. Kind of like what these children are doing now…
Kaia/Machete.
Children K-12 have not a pony in the race, and are idealistic to the point of rage. Encouraging this rage is not good. Truth be told, you don’t want them knowing the real history we have created. I doubt reality is being taught in the classroom. I do know what I saw with the Maoist fist pumping at the TUSD Board meeting. Fact enough to show those teaching the courses are wronging humanity and our children. It is “we forward” not “us behind” we should be teaching our youth. Anyone promoting this divisive program cares not for all of us as a united peoples. We don’t need to raise a culture of career bound fast food clerks, we need to spark their interest in building something great, together as one people with a multitude of cultures, not many peoples with diverse cultures.
Building something together? You must keep in mind the reason ethnic studies came about is that we, the dominant culture, want to continue to ignore the contributions (voluntary or not) of the cultures we “discovered” living in the way of Manifest Destiny. Now we, the dominant culture, want to prevent them from studying something that might help them gain a better understanding of how that happened.
That, in a nutshell, is the essence of racism; when the dominant culture uses its power to keep another culture from advancing. You may argue that you are not racist, but you cannot deny the overt racism of some of the posters here.
Cascabel,
Personal attacks are one of the hallmarks of the non-argument.
You provide an excellent example of one who has no argument,
and stoops low to grab something that isn’t there.
“the education philosophy might be in violation and promote a race or class of people”
Yes, school has always promoted white culture. School has always been in violation of 1070, then. They have always been promoting the white, upper class view of the world.
I support ethnic studies. I support broadening our understanding of the world.
I know I’m biased, buy you’re an incredible reporter Mari. Thank you for this story.
I was there also, Mari. You really captured the lynch mob strategy on the part of Huppenthal’s lawyers and state witnesses. Mexican American culture surely was on the bloody shopping bloc, bleeding red from assigned stereotype after stereotype. MAS teachers are emotional, extremist, resentful, groupish, and yes, violent revolutionaries? What an irony: the lawyers and witnesses projected their very own positions on absent human beings called “Mexican Americans.”
I love how Raza supporters, when faced with harsh truths about the ways these classes both indoctrinate students and cheat them out of the education they need to be productive members of society immediately play the giant victim card.
Poor us, it is all the fault of the white man that we base a curriculum on the fabrication known as Aztlan. It is all the white man’s fault that the Raza staff have lied repeatedly about the imaginary successes of the program. It is all the white man’s fault that we teach students to view the society they live in as racist. (It is interesting that so many families would come here from Mexico when the culture there is so superior and they are not the “oppressed minority.” Some even violate the law in order to live in this “oppressive” society.)
It is long past time to either set up private schools or establish charter schools based on the Raza curriculum and shut it down in TUSD schools. That is the only win here for you. Based on the new knowledge the public has about the way TUSD’s funds have been siphoned off to fund various politicized programs, it is almost a certainty that the new Governing Board will be elected with a mandate to shut down Raza Studies and focus on educating TUSD’s students instead of indoctrinating them.
I resent paying taxes to enable an anti American agenda to be taught in the public school system. The only people being represented to any degree are Mexicans. When the general public is forced to pay for a ‘special group’ to receive classes who’s teachings are against the interest of the common good, and advocate La Raza and dissent against the US, a crime is being committed against the majority of American Citizens. Stop these anti American propaganda fests now. Right On Mammey!
c10jim, Switzerland isn’t anywhere near the United States and none of its territory has become a part of the United States. The story of Mexico is a part of our story, Switzerland really isn’t.
Mammey, Cascabel went out of his way not to personally attack you. You’re nothing but a loud mouthed coward. The worst kind of bully, one who views themselves as the perpetual victim.
Marty and DBCOOK, you two aren’t worth my time. Just a pair of racist, fascist teabagger trolls. So very typical, so very predictable.
Dracon, you are a typical extremist, no facts. Your only answere to facts and truth is name calling. As for your time, I neither require or want your time. Use it to earn the money to buy a bus ticket home.
What is wrong with turning these classes into electives? I’m trying to understand, would the program lose any of it’s relevance–or student participants if it were? Why is that not a fair compromise? Would it lose funding? I mean, I’m left to wonder if it this doesn’t boil down to dollar signs and an easy A for graduation–if you’re the right color of non-white, that is.
Dracon,
Yes, agreed Cascabel was nice to me. But they pulled the race card, which is a sad situation. First one to do that has that mark on their back. Now for you Dracon, my dear friend, who in your post that you did not agree with did you not attack personally and viciously? This is a “them against us mentality.” Don’t you see how you’ve been conditioned, yourself, to hate the opposition. This is the tribal mentality that MAS has been exposing our youth to. This is what I object to. When those children begin using “we” to describe those whom they both agree AND disagree, I will then support MAS with all my heart.
“I do know what I saw with the Maoist fist pumping at the TUSD Board meeting.”
How, exactly, does one determine is a raised fist is “Maoist”?
“……How, exactly, does one determine is a raised fist is “Maoist”?…..”
Enroll in MAS, aka “ritual brainwashing 101” you will see it. It’s the repetition of thought suppression
techniques used through the ages to reduce the level of independent thought. The Hitler Jugend,
heil salute, chanting, waving in unison, praying in church, singing in church. Mao, Stalin, Hitler all utilized this form of thought and mind control. Open your eyes to the reality of all those who weren’t sincere in their treatment of humanity. All of those who lost their individual freedoms because of it were sad, sad stories.
The posters of Che the Killer on the walls of a Tucson school are just disgusting.
If Cuba had not been a client state, on Russia’s dole, they would have been reduced to living in tents.
As it was millions felt freedom more important that false idealism and left on whatever boats they could find.
Me? I prefer to keep my own thoughts in my head, not someone else’s. Watch the actions of those who are indoctrinated…..them against us hate is rampant. They are being manipulated. MAS students are being manipulated.
Truth be told…..if these children were being told the truth, historically, nobody would be speaking Spanish or going to the church they go to. Those are the places that should be investigated for their actions. You think San Xavier del Bac was built with volunteer or paid labor? Nope…built by enslaved people motivated with whips and superstition. You think Apaches hated Mexicans for nothing? Think again….the Mexicans killed Apache men, and threw the women and children into the mines until they were dead of starvation and disease. For that, the Apaches killed Mexicans on sight, creating a vicious circle where Apache scalps carried a bounty, (if they were dead, they couldn’t tell you they weren’t Apache). You think the Spanish inquisition was a kind and gentle thing? Nope….it was the torture of those whose wealth was being confiscated and split 50/50 by the govt and church. You think Mexico owned the Gadsden purchase lands when it was sold to the U.S.A., think again.
The Apaches owned it.
Tucson was the only real town, and anyone caught alone 10 miles from it was killed without quarter. Tubac, a large town was abandoned, all killed or run off.
From 1848 to 1854 the Apaches had military control of this territory. How can one sell what one doesn’t own? Can anyone really own land? Or can they merely own the temporary use of it? And only while they are responsible to
that land and its inhabitants, flora, fauna and human.
There’s a lot here that causes pain, on all sides. Best look toward a united future than lament a distant past.
It’s called being civilized. Something all should fight for, together. False pride gets you nowhere but to the unemployment line. Or, worse, your families and yourselves mangled and dead on the battlefield. Give me freedom,
GIVE ME ONE PEOPLE WORKING HARD FOR ALL PEOPLES.
You’re all right. Let’s just stick to what we know: Ignoring the facts of slavery, racism and segregation and focusing on all of the accomplishments of the white man. Here’s to ignorance!!!!
“……..You’re all right. Let’s just stick to what we know: Ignoring the facts of slavery, racism and segregation and focusing on all of the accomplishments of the white man. Here’s to ignorance!!!!……”
Huh? That’s a whole bunch of words that says nothing.
Very well reported I agree. By the headline though, I thought maybe I stumbled onto the ADS by accident.
Whoa! Talk about a lot of words that says nothing…I’ve totally lost the thread of argument here. Someone who can’t recognize sarcasm may not be the best one to be pointing out brainwashing. Especially when they try to support an argument with a wandering diatribe against Cuba, Russia, Spain, Catholics, Communists and the Apaches. I really don’t know who the “us and them” are any more. Whose side are you on, Mammy? You have studied some local history, now let Tucson students study it if they want to.
“…….Whose side are you on, Mammy?……..”
Quaking,
You read my posts but don’t understand their meaning. For you to be asking this question reinforces my position that too much ” them against us” teachings have been done to our children, (and you personally). Are there really “sides” in this manner, or just honest people with feelings dictated by their personal egos and self images? Your tribal question denotes a struggle of opposing forces. I claim this isn’t so. I claim the children are being misled by well meaning but naive fanatics who choose struggle over harmony. I am on the side of reverting to calm, deliberate and rational action, not the mess that has been created in all minds over this matter. To hold Che the Killer as a hero denotes a lack of native intelligence. Perhaps this is the root of the problem, unqualified teachers.
I would suggest that all the “discomfort” experienced by Stegeman in his travels and classroom experiences arises because of HIS sheer ignorance of the facts of History and the possibility that his own white skinned comfort zone is, possibly for the first time, being challenged. Is it possible that previously unknown information is affecting individuals of a race of people in becoming equally educated regarding their history with their peers. Additionally, he was likely uncomfortable because he realized that he was being held responsible for his words. The day is gone when one or even a dozen men’s prejudices can stop the birth of people into their potential and self awareness.
Good teachers know that clapping and chanting is a means of rousing a student’s energy and bringing their awareness to the present and to the team spirit of involvement. Integrating the group’s focus is a method by which a classroom becomes most productive . Sound, movement, breath are all important steps to encourage a student to THINK critically –this exercise integrates both sides of the brain into awareness. This is the goal of education and the CULT OF DEVELOPING THINKING CAPACITY !!!