Reading Questions #1.
The questions on this quiz will be based upon the following assigned readings:
Are Chicanos the Same as Mexicans
New York Times – Arizona Bans Ethnic Studies
Practical Considerations of CRT and LatCrit for Latino College Students
The History Behind the Terms
Is it Hispanic, Chicana/o, Latina/o, or Latinx
Keep in mind, when it comes to grading:
Doing less than the minimum required will result in a poor grade: D to F range
Meeting the minimum required will result in an average grade: C range
Going above the minimum required will result in an above average grade: B range
Going over and above the minimum required will result in excellent grade: A range
USE THE READINGS AS THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR ANSWERS
Answer the questions with well-constructed paragraphs, consisting of a minimum of 400 to 650 words each that demonstrate that you not only read the material, but also understood the material. Be sure to include the question before the answer. Use a separate page for each question you are answering.
No more than 15% of your answers should include quotes. If you do include a quote, be sure to include analysis of the quote to demonstrate why it was important to include the quote. Make sure you note which page from the text the quote is located with an in-text citation. You do not need to include a works cited page for this assignment.
12-point Times New Roman Font
Either Word (.doc) or Adobe (.pdf) format
Double-spaced
Page numbers
1-inch margins all around
Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include the letter and the questions you are answering at the top of each page
Answer 1 out of 1 and 2
Then pick any 3 from 3 to 7
You will answer a total of 4 questions
What is Critical Race Theory? What is Latino Critical Theory? In which ways does CRT and LatCrit differ? In which ways are they similar?
What are the benefits of CRT and LatCrit for Latina/o students and the overall institution of education?
What are the consequences of only being exposed to one version of history? How might presenting the history of only one truth explain White Supremacy?
When thinking of US history, we are often positioned as the “good guys.” Why might this be a problem? What might happen as a result of not always positioning the US as the “good guys?”
Utilizing your own words, how do you define Chicana/o, Mexican-American, Latina/o, and Hispanic. How does your understanding of these words differ from the handouts? Why is it important to understand the history and meaning behind these terms?
What are the reasons that Arizona has banned Ethnic Studies courses? Were all Ethnic Studies courses affected? If not, which ones were and why?
Conduct research (**using credible, academically suitable sources) on the current state of the Ethnic Studies ban in Arizona. Is the ban still in effect? How have circumstances changed since this article was published? What are some of the current efforts to ban Ethnic Studies in other states
Question 1: What is Critical Race Theory? What is Latino Critical Theory? In which ways does CRT and LatCrit differ? In which ways are they similar?
Critical Race Theory (CRT) examines the ways in which race and racism function in society and are embedded in laws, policies, and institutions. CRT posits that race is a social construct used to maintain social inequality. Latino Critical Theory (LatCrit) builds upon CRT but focuses specifically on issues of concern to Latinx communities, including language rights, immigration, ethnicity, culture, identity, phenotype and sexuality (Practical Considerations of CRT and LatCrit for Latino College Students).
Both CRT and LatCrit aim to understand how racism, prejudice and inequality persist due to social structures and cultural assumptions. However, LatCrit places a greater emphasis on exploring the intersection of racism with other forms of oppression that uniquely impact Latinx individuals and communities, such as language rights, immigration status and cultural identity. Both theories seek to give voice to marginalized groups and challenge dominant narratives of neutrality, colorblindness and meritocracy in law and society.
Question 2: What are the benefits of CRT and LatCrit for Latina/o students and the overall institution of education?
CRT and LatCrit frameworks benefit Latina/o students and education institutions in several ways. First, they promote a more inclusive and accurate teaching of history that acknowledges the role of racism and colonialism. This empowers students by validating their lived experiences and cultural identities (Practical Considerations of CRT and LatCrit for Latino College Students). CRT and LatCrit also encourage diversity of thought and challenge students to examine multiple perspectives. This leads to higher-quality analysis and debate. For institutions, embracing anti-racist frameworks holds them accountable for equitable treatment and outcomes among students of all backgrounds. CRT and LatCrit also enrich curricula and make education more relevant for an increasingly diverse population (Practical Considerations of CRT and LatCrit for Latino College Students).
Question 3: What are the consequences of only being exposed to one version of history? How might presenting the history of only one truth explain White Supremacy?
Presenting students with a one-sided version of history that omits or distorts the perspectives and roles of non-white groups can have detrimental consequences. It promotes the idea that there is only one legitimate interpretation of events, marginalizing other cultural narratives and viewpoints (New York Times – Arizona Bans Ethnic Studies). When a singular, dominant group’s history is centered as the sole “truth,” it socializes students in a way that normalizes and reinforces that group’s power. This perpetuates systems of white supremacy by implying people of color had little historical agency or contribution apart from their interactions with white Europeans. It also discourages critical thinking about implicit biases within traditional historical accounts. An inclusive, accurate rendering of history from multiple angles is needed to counteract these harmful effects.
Question 4: What are the reasons that Arizona has banned Ethnic Studies courses? Were all Ethnic Studies courses affected? If not, which ones were and why?
Arizona banned Ethnic Studies courses, specifically Mexican American Studies, in response to growing political pressure and accusations that these courses promoted racial resentment and division (New York Times – Arizona Bans Ethnic Studies). However, evidence suggests the real threat perceived was the subject matter’s potential to empower Latino students and communities. The ban targeted Mexican-American Studies courses that examined history and power structures from an Latino perspective but did not affect general Ethnic Studies courses on other groups. This reveals the discriminatory nature of the ban, as it singled out content addressing issues most relevant to the state’s growing Latino population. The ban aimed to restrict a form of education that challenged dominant narratives of American and Arizona history from a Latino lens.
