Missing perspectives

Arianna Hernandez

Rialto High School has a diverse, growing community that would benefit from adopting more Ethnic Studies pathways. As a community, we need to understand the importance of fostering inclusivity and addressing historical injustice that continues to affect society and the real-world policies that late teens will experience as they enter adulthood.

Rialto High School has a diverse, growing community that would benefit from adopting more Ethnic Studies pathways. As a community, we need to understand the importance of fostering inclusivity and addressing historical injustice that continues to affect society and the real-world policies that late teens will experience as they enter adulthood.

Socially, ethnic studies improve students' understanding of cultural backgrounds, reducing racial bias and empowering them to communicate positively with others.

An article by CalMatters emphasizes that an ethnic studies requirement helps students value equality as they learn to acknowledge the histories and impacts of marginalized communities. They highlight that despite California’s legislative push, schools often face challenges when implementing these courses due to a lack of resources. 

Rialto High School, although successful in including these courses in its curriculum, fails to promote their importance despite boasting a richly diverse student body. They ignore the opportunity to reflect on the realities of their community and prepare students for a multicultural world.

Disregarding ethnic studies as a simple “add-on” or extracurricular will further suppress the already whispered voices of the past who have faced discrimination when expressing themselves in different settings. 

Furthermore, ethnic studies can be a transformative educational experience. A study conducted at the University of Michigan provided evidence of the positive impact these courses have on students, including increased academic motivation, civic engagement, and a stronger sense of self, community, and identity.

These courses allow students of color to feel visible and validated, leading to improved academic performance. However, student participation in these courses at Rialto High is particularly low because we fail to prioritize a curriculum that recognizes our identities and history while improving academic outcomes. 

Beyond these outcomes, polarization is evident in our present and requires a deeper understanding of social justice issues. In other words, a majority of our nation remains divided by differences in ideals and opinions, leading to legislative gridlock. The political parallels in ethnic studies will prove useful across a variety of fields closely related to federal policies.

CalMatters addresses this topic by noting that Ethnic Studies courses encourage young adults to critically analyze systemic inequalities rooted in historical prejudice and to consider them when pursuing an equitable society.

Exposing students to various perspectives will inspire activism, empathy, and community engagement, which will be the first step toward dismantling hurtful stereotypes. It will also be the first step towards a more empathetic and informed learning environment. 

Those who oppose the implementation and push for ethnic studies will argue that these courses promote division and “reverse racism.” In order to build our future, we must understand the mistakes made by our past. Additionally, the inclusion of ethnic studies instead broadens the bigger goal of equal education.

College and careers value active, open-minded individuals who advocate for broader issues. Ethnic studies are a major contributor to college readiness and the development of a broader skill set. 

A noteworthy skill is the ability to look past someone's initial impression and understand them through their character and background.

Rialto High should lead by example and make use of its adoption of ethnic studies. Evidence has shown that academic achievement, inclusive communities, and social justice are among the many benefits they provide. 

I guarantee that multiple ideas and connections have fallen victim to the standards set by past injustices; therefore, I will continue to express unwavering support for an aggressive approach in the push for ethnic studies enrollment and believe it to be a strategic investment in the future of the RHS community.

Socially, ethnic studies improve students' understanding of cultural backgrounds, reducing racial bias and empowering them to communicate positively with others.

An article by CalMatters emphasizes that an ethnic studies requirement helps students value equality as they learn to acknowledge the histories and impacts of marginalized communities. They highlight that despite California’s legislative push, schools often face challenges when implementing these courses due to a lack of resources. 

Rialto High School, although successful in including these courses in its curriculum, fails to promote their importance despite boasting a richly diverse student body. They ignore the opportunity to reflect on the realities of their community and prepare students for a multicultural world.

Disregarding ethnic studies as a simple “add-on” or extracurricular will further suppress the already whispered voices of the past who have faced discrimination when expressing themselves in different settings. 

Furthermore, ethnic studies can be a transformative educational experience. A study conducted at the University of Michigan provided evidence of the positive impact these courses have on students, including increased academic motivation, civic engagement, and a stronger sense of self, community, and identity.

These courses allow students of color to feel visible and validated, leading to improved academic performance. However, student participation in these courses at Rialto High is particularly low because we fail to prioritize a curriculum that recognizes our identities and history while improving academic outcomes. 

Beyond these outcomes, polarization is evident in our present and requires a deeper understanding of social justice issues. In other words, a majority of our nation remains divided by differences in ideals and opinions, leading to legislative gridlock. The political parallels in ethnic studies will prove useful across a variety of fields closely related to federal policies.

CalMatters addresses this topic by noting that Ethnic Studies courses encourage young adults to critically analyze systemic inequalities rooted in historical prejudice and to consider them when pursuing an equitable society.

Exposing students to various perspectives will inspire activism, empathy, and community engagement, which will be the first step toward dismantling hurtful stereotypes. It will also be the first step towards a more empathetic and informed learning environment. 

Those who oppose the implementation and push for ethnic studies will argue that these courses promote division and “reverse racism.” In order to build our future, we must understand the mistakes made by our past. Additionally, the inclusion of ethnic studies instead broadens the bigger goal of equal education.

College and careers value active, open-minded individuals who advocate for broader issues. Ethnic studies are a major contributor to college readiness and the development of a broader skill set. 

A noteworthy skill is the ability to look past someone's initial impression and understand them through their character and background.

Rialto High should lead by example and make use of its adoption of ethnic studies. Evidence has shown that academic achievement, inclusive communities, and social justice are among the many benefits they provide. 

I guarantee that multiple ideas and connections have fallen victim to the standards set by past injustices; therefore, I will continue to express unwavering support for an aggressive approach in the push for ethnic studies enrollment and believe it to be a strategic investment in the future of the RHS community.