Mirador6 Opinion 4/23/10

Texas School Board Decision Hinders Education

Immigrants Face Harsh Requirements

by Michael Roe and Samantha Zulch

In a recent Texas School Board decision to modify textbook material for elementary through high school social studies and history courses, the Texas Board of Education is effectively rewriting history in favor of a focused conservative influence. The new modifications emphasize the so-called “Christian foundation” set forth by some of our Founding Fathers.

On March 12, the Texas School Board of Education approved this social studies curriculum change in a 10-5 vote with all the board’s Republican members voting in favor of the decision. This suggests that the School Board’s decision is more reflective of party politics than it is about the issue of education.

This clear bias in the curriculum alteration includes a de-emphasis on Civil Rights and other minority histories, the replacement of the term “Capitalism” with “Free Enterprise” to describe the U.S.’s economy, and the removal of Thomas Jefferson whose great offenses include a belief in the separation of church and state.

The school board even goes as far as to mention that America’s Founding Fathers were guided by Christian principles. This is not necessarily true.

Dr. Don McLeroy, one of the board leaders, told the New York Times, “We are adding balance… Academia is skewed too far to the left.”

While McLeroy’s words reach a wide audience, there’s a clear distinction between making concessions for the sake of historical accuracy and the manipulation of American history to further support modern day political agendas.

So basically, the Texas School Board is successfully setting forth a political influence through the medium

of school textbooks. This concept may commonly be referred to as “brainwashing,” “mind control,” or “indoctrination.”

Texas accounts for a large percentage of the textbook market, serving 4.7 million students, according to political writer David Knowles.

Along with this extensive influence, Texas is beginning to alter not only the history of Texas, but of our entire nation. With such a large influence over the textbook market, Texas’ conservative modifications may also affect other states’ textbook standards.

The concept of learning should always remain objective and unbiased, free from the ideological grasp of political opinion.

Through the provisions of the Texas School Board’s decision, it is clear that the right-wing, Christian board members are acting under the disillusion that they hold the power to ignore fundamental figures and concepts from our history and disregard American diversity.

We, as students who will go on to make up the society in which we live, must understand the importance of the material we are taught in school.

We all have the right to high-quality, fair and balanced education as well as the right to form our own opinions on

the information we learn. Texas Board members can believe whatever they may

choose, but through exercising that right they should not have to take that same right away from students. And through changing something as influential and crucial in a student’s education as textbook material, the Texas Board of Education is doing just that. How do you expect a high school student to form intelligent and balanced opinions when they are robbed of an unbiased education?

by Jamie Riley

Some find it easy to support current immigration laws. Why should we allow illegal immigrants to come into the U.S. and take the jobs that were meant for good ol’ apple-pie-eatin’ Americans? After all, we need to maintain our status as one of the most powerful countries in the world. We shouldn’t give anyone who could possibly hinder our chances a shot, right? If you share this opinion, please consider a new one.

In a different light, one might have a change of heart. Imagine if these illegal aliens had a face, a name, or a family. For example, Francesca who spent her childhood hiding from authorities because her parents didn’t meet the citizenship requirements. Or Esperanza, a woman who is currently fighting so that her husband won’t be deported to Mexico.

Putting aside any petty selfishness, it is hard to stop a hard working person from being a part of this country. In recent years, the U.S. deported at least 13,000 immigrant parents, while their legal children remained in the U.S. By denying these parents citizenship, we are breaking up families and separating loved ones from each other. Nothing about this reflects American or even humane values.

Webster’s Dictionary defines an illegal immigrant as someone who has entered without authorization or inspection, has stayed beyond the authorized period after legal entry, or has violated the terms of legal entry. Prospective citizens face enormous difficulties. One has to obtain a Visa and then apply for a Green Card. It can take years to obtain legal citizenship.

It costs $675 to apply for an application to become legal, the price having risen since 2002. Even after one pays the application fee, an applicant may have to incur considerable legal expenses in order to successfully continue the process.

The current laws bar an immigrant from becoming a citizen if he has been convicted of a crime, has ever lied to an immigration officer, consular official or government official, has married in order to obtain legality, or has

Graphic: M. Roe

A futuristic depiction of Texas State Education: The Bible.

denied citizenship on this basis. Such a person’s motivation results from an overwhelming desire to have a chance at a better life. If we pride ourselves on being in the land of opportunity, how can we condone such difficult requirements for legality?

These harsh requirements and abundant prohibitions have not controlled the influx of immigrants to our country. Rather, the number of illegal immigrants in the US has continued to increase. If we could make it easier for immigrants, we could limit and possibly eliminate illegal immigration in the future.

These harsh laws may stem from the government’s interest in protecting the superior American attitude of society. Many Americans think that, because of our influence in the world, we stand out as a superior country to those smaller and less-privileged nations. Some say that they don’t want to legalize

these “inferior” foreigners. Other opponents of immigration want to support

the U.S. labor force. However, illegal immigrants have traditionally held some vital low wage jobs in America because these are all they can participate in. We simply should not have the right to deny citizenship in order to benefit our own greedy intentions. By using immigrants as a cheap labor force we are taking advantage of their desperation.

Illegal immigrants are given lower wages compared to legal U.S. workers. Why should they be robbed of a fair wage? Furthermore, highly skilled immigrants have contributed to American innovation and prosperity.

I can’t live in a country with unfair immigration laws in this day and age. We are encouraging illegality and broken homes.

To deny a hard working individual entry into our country reeks of unfairness and unreason. We must create fair requirements for immigrants so that we can truly enjoy Jefferson’s proclamation of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

been absent from the U.S. for a long period of time after becoming a permanent resident. Being convicted no matter the charge, failing to pay income taxes, or failing to pay child support can prevent an immigrant from obtaining legal status. Also, an applicant must be able to read, write, and speak English.

Although I certainly don’t support violent criminals becoming citizens, I don’t think the non-violent acts or conditions of marrying for citizenship, income tax delinquency, or lack of education should prohibit entry. Legal citizenship shouldn’t be denied to a person who is poor and uneducated.

Immigrants usually do not have the money to pay these fees and have not had the opportunity to learn English. A person who gets behind on his or her taxes shouldn’t be compared to someone who is convicted of a violent crime; he or she simply may not have the means to pay.

Furthermore, a person who marries in order to obtain citizenship should not be condemned. No one wants to live in a loveless marriage; so anyone who is determined enough to endure this relationship should not be categorically

A young girl waves an American flag enthusiastically with her sister in an immigration rally.Photo: MCT Campus/ O. Douliery