Tucson Youth Group Hosts Their Own Chicano Studies Classes

Organizers from UNIDOS, a youth group that opposes the Mexican-American studies ban that went in to effect January 1st in Tucson, have started organizing their own ethnic studies classes.

By Jorge Rivas Feb 02, 2012

Organizers from UNIDOS, a youth group that opposes the Mexican-American studies ban that went in to affect January 1st in Tucson, have started organizing their own ethnic studies classes.

"Educators from our community, colleges, community organizations and alumni of Mexican American Studies will be presenting their messages and stories about why Ethnic Studies is still alive, active and transforming," read a press release from UNIDOS. "Youth and community members are invited to be the first registered participants in our ongoing campaign to create autonomous learning environments for and within our community."

"We’re teaching the traditional curriculum, if a student was in the Mexican American history perspective classes they defaulted to a traditional history class," Sean Arce told Feet in Two Worlds. Arce is the co-founder and director of the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American studies program.

"We want to plant a seed, to keep learning about our history and culture," Jesus Romero a member of UNIDOS told Feet in Two Worlds.

Sixty percent of the over 55,000 students in the Tucson school district are Latino.

Below are images courtesy of Chris Summitt.

[Editorial Update 2/6/2012 6:36 EST: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated UNIDOS’ school took place on a weekend. The school took place on a Tuesday.]