The version of history that has been used to educate today’s youth has been an extremely linear one at best.  The Mexican American Experience is one of those narratives that often get swept under the rug as not being a legitimate course of study.  Much has been excluded which, by excluding any version of history, you exclude a people and, the contributions they have made to make this country what it is today.  In a day and time where knowledge, critical thinking, and global competition are vital to the survival of our nation, this is objectionable.   

Mexican American Studies are relevant for many reasons.  First, they give breadth and depth to an extravagant story that is the American Struggle.  Not recognizing the Mexican American existence in that narrative is no better than not acknowledging the ethnic cleansing that Native Americans were forced to experience.  Failing to acknowledge the plight of women and their rise to, and continuing fight for, equality for all would also be equally insulting.  Speaking of marginalized people and underrepresented populations; Mexican Americans have a place in our (United States) history as much as the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation.  

The invisible place that Mexican Americans have held in the contemporary view of history today needs to be re-examined.  There are many great leaders in this community that marched alongside of well-known Civil Rights Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. such as, Rudolpho “Corky” Gonzalez and Reies Lopez Tijerina.  Like civil rights education becomes common knowledge, so should the presence of important individuals like these and their wide-ranging impacts as well. But this history does not belong only to Mexican Americans.

 Another reason Mexican American studies are relevant is because research has continually proven that when students see themselves reflected in the books they are reading, they are engaged in their school work and tend to perform better.  In addition, dropout rates and teenage pregnancy rates have been proven to decrease within the Latino population.  Another positive result of implementing Mexican American Studies is that non-Latino students gain insight to a culture that they have lived alongside of and, been dismissive of at the same time.  Their view of the society they are enthralled in changes, allowing for a broader acceptance of things not organic to their way of life. 

There has been an ongoing discussion on whether this narrative, that of Mexican Americans, is a valid one.  We contend that it in fact is not only valid but, crucial to the understanding of true inclusion.  One of the great things about living in the United States is that we have “Choice.”  This idea of “Choice” however, becomes illusive if the entire story is not shared from the inception of creative thought in public schools.  Not everyone will agree, want to teach, or have to learn Mexican American History. We are simply asking that it is made a “Choice” for those who are engaged with learning it and, willing to go beyond the borders of their own character and develop layers of knowledge to pass onto future generations.

The time has arrived to ask yourself, “What will I say to my grandchildren when they asked what I did when their story was being repressed?” Take a stand, make change!

… Sign the Petition and, share it with likeminded people as well.