Bill Text: CA ACR34 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Ethnic studies programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-07-28 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 65, Statutes of 2011. [ACR34 Detail]

Download: California-2011-ACR34-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: ACR 34	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  65
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JULY 28, 2011
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  JULY 28, 2011
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  JULY 14, 2011
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 23, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 5, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Lara and Alejo

                        MARCH 8, 2011

   Relative to ethnic studies.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 34, Lara. Ethnic studies programs.
   This measure would formally endorse the invaluable work of
California's ethnic studies programs, and their faculty, staff, and
students. The measure would recognize the leadership provided by the
beneficiaries of those programs, and would support the continuation
of ethnic studies programs in California's institutions of higher
education.



   WHEREAS, The genesis and salience of ethnic studies as an academic
discipline encompass research, scholarship, and programs that study
and teach the experiences, history, culture, and heritage of African
Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanas and Chicanos, Latinas and
Latinos, Native Americans, and other persons of color in the United
States; and
   WHEREAS, Formal ethnic studies programs and departments at
California's universities are a response to a student-led movement
dating back to the 1960s, including demonstrations, student protests,
and hunger strikes, where students, faculty, and community members
demanded university courses that were relevant to them and their
communities; and
   WHEREAS, The formalization of ethnic studies fostered greater
demand and recognition of the need for faculty and staff from diverse
communities, allowing for broader representation at California's
universities; and
   WHEREAS, Ethnic studies have grown into a respected academic
field, complete with professional organizations, institutionalized
departments and related programs across the United States, and
numerous research journals and award-winning publications; and
   WHEREAS, The study of ethnic populations has grown to include
comparative and international approaches to the study of ethnicity
and the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality; and
   WHEREAS, Ethnic studies acknowledges the role of America's diverse
racial and ethnic peoples as equal actors in the history of
California and the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Latinos and other racial and ethnic groups account for 57
percent of California's population, making California the most
ethnically and racially diverse state in the nation; and
   WHEREAS, A broader education on diverse racial and ethnic groups
provides a fuller and deeper understanding of California and United
States history and helps promote greater understanding among people
from different backgrounds; and
   WHEREAS, Ethnic studies departments, programs, and related
projects promote constructive communication and collaborative efforts
between different and diverse groups and encourage the demonstration
of respect, understanding, appreciation, equality, and dignity; and
   WHEREAS, Long-standing attacks on ethnic studies departments,
programs, and related projects, and the recent increase of attacks in
particular, misrepresent the intentions and serious intellectual and
scholarly commitments of the ethnic studies departments; and
   WHEREAS, Support for ethnic studies departments, programs, and
related projects, within our state's higher education segments,
including budgetary commitments, will allow for the continued
guidance and teaching of a new generation of students who will
greatly impact and positively influence California policy and
government; and
   WHEREAS, Support for ethnic studies within our K-12 public school
system will allow a new generation to greatly impact and positively
influence California's relations and policy development; and
   WHEREAS, Actions to ban ethnic studies in states such as Arizona
distort our hallmark as a diverse nation, and mischaracterize
educational curricula that affirm this diversity as reverse racism,
hatred, and ethnocentrism; and
   WHEREAS, The elimination of ethnic studies within any of our state'
s educational segments would put our students at a disadvantage from
a global perspective; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
formally endorses the invaluable work of California's ethnic studies
departments, programs, and related projects, and their faculty,
staff, and students; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California also
duly recognizes the leadership provided by the beneficiaries of these
programs who have contributed greatly to the academic rigor,
prominence, and distinguishing qualities of California's colleges and
universities and the vitality of other public and private
institutions, including the California state government; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California supports
the continuation of ethnic studies departments, programs, and
related projects in California's institutions of higher education;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the Regents of the University of California, the
Board of Governors of the California State University, the Board of
Trustees of California Community Colleges, and the author for
appropriate distribution.