High schools in California and all over the country must implement a more diverse curriculum and address the United States’ racist history and today’s systemic racism, as well as incorporate the stories of other people of color from more countries around the world. While California’s high school curriculum may not be in as much danger as those of other states, we still have a long way to go before we can call it “diverse” or “equitable.” Most of our history textbooks glaze over stories about people of color and are written from the white male perspective. Most of our books are written by white men.
Gavin Newsom has not yet mandated an ethnic studies course for all high school students. We still have a severely whitewashed curriculum. But while other states are moving backward, we are stuck in time. White fragility is so prominent in Republican lawmakers that they are ostensibly willing to indoctrinate students into believing that the United States’ foundation, history and modern systems are not inherently racist.įortunately, California does not plan to implement any similar legislation. These are attacks on our First Amendment rights. These bills are a means of rolling back racial progress, essentially banning classroom discussions about racism, bias, privilege, discrimination and oppression. Nearly 20 more states plan to introduce similar legislation. Recent bills in Idaho, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Iowa, New Hampshire and Arizona ban the teaching of critical race theory, the practice of questioning the role that racism plays in society. Furthermore, it has been proven that diversity in the classroom promotes empathy in students, improves student achievement and fosters creativity. When schools consistently address issues about race and incorporate stories about different people of color, we can confront our prejudices and overcome them. We live in a diverse society it’s time for all school curriculums to reflect that. That’s why it’s so important for schools to implement a diverse curriculum. I constantly deal with racist comments because cultural insensitivity is so ingrained in American society. Both of my parents were born in India and immigrated here about 20 years ago. I am a South Asian high school student from Orange County, California. Most of the time it comes from people who don’t mean to be racist but are just completely unaware and insensitive of the blatant racism present in American culture. I experience this on a pretty regular basis. People have asked me if I’m “related to terrorists” because of my appearance, have called my family “uncivilized” because of where we come from and have made fun of my culture. I was 7 years old when someone called me “brownie” for the first time.
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