1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

AB 1468 is proposed by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis, who say it is intended to combat rising antisemitism in K-12 schools. The bill recommends that teachers focus on the “domestic experience and stories of historically marginalized peoples in American society.” However, upon closer examination, this bill presents serious threats to academic freedom and inclusivity. AB 1468 seeks to set uniform content standards through the California Department of Education. AB 1468 wants to remove local school districts’ flexibility to tailor ethnic studies courses to reflect their communities’ unique needs. The true purpose of ethnic studies is to elevate diverse voices and perspectives. AB 1468 explicitly designates African Americans, Latinos and Chicanx individuals, Asian Americans, and Native Americans as priority groups. These groups are important to learn about. However, this limits focus on other ethnic and identity groups, including Arab Americans, Pacific Islanders, and LGTBQIA+ individuals. Furthermore, by encouraging focus on “domestic experience,” this removes the essential context of addressing how imperialism and colonialism impact marginalized groups in the U.S. For example, how can you define “domestic” without legitimizing colonial boundaries of the U.S. which arbitrarily divide Kumeyaay people as “Americans” and Mexican people as “foreigners”? This does not respect Indigenous history. Indigenous history can only be explained truthfully and appropriately by addressing colonialism and imperialism. Additionally, how can educators tell the stories of Palestinian Americans without discussing how Palestinians became refugees during the mass ethnic cleansing of the Nakba? Furthermore, how can educators tell the stories of Jewish Americans without discussing the mass genocide of the Holocaust? By narrowing the focus of ethnic studies, AB 1468 seeks to practice exclusion, not inclusion. AB 1468 raises serious concerns about potential censorship. Ethnic studies courses are intended to encourage critical thinking and open discussion. For example, AB 1468 may restrict educators from addressing the history of Palestine through focus on the “domestic experience.” This sets a dangerous precedent for suppression of history. AB 1468 threatens to restrict local control of education, marginalize important voices and communities, and increase censorship. Existing laws already require curriculum, instruction, and teaching materials for ethnic studies courses to not promote any bigotry or discrimination against individuals on the basis of certain characteristics. It is important to continue teaching history to mitigate the effects of antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism, etc. However, if California wants to honor the purpose of ethnic studies education, then education must truly honor the diversity of its students through holistic comprehension of history.