Outlawing Ethnic Studies

I've been listening to conservative talk shows on the radio today to hear how the Rush Limbaughs of the world are justifying the elimination of Ethnic Studies at public schools in Arizona. The fear is that Ethnic Studies classes teach students to hate American government, as these classes expose the United States's spotty history of contradiction and persecution. First, it is obvious these radio hosts have never taken an Ethnic Studies class so their comments come from a backwards expertise. If they had, they would know Ethnic Studies classes instill enlightenment and honesty and help us all see an accurate and inclusive vision of American History. According to talk show hosts and Arizona government - this "American" history is best unsaid, ignored. They define "their" American history as founding forefathers and Declarations of Independence. Well your forefathers had slaves and some of them raped these slaves and started entire families with them (Thomas Jefferson). And, women couldn't vote until the 20th century and Chinese-Americans built what we consider the origin of our transportation system and Japanese-Americans were imprisoned in the 40s for just being of Japanese descent. To discount these important moments in American History that teach us humility and what NOT to do again...is to discount the true rich (flawed) fabric of American identity. Come on conservative talk radio - take an ethnic studies class and learn something about what makes the U.S. the U.S.!!!!