Letter of the day: Arizona should require, not ban, ethnic studies programs

As a retired Normandale Community College ethnic studies instructor, I am appalled at the recently passed Arizona law that targets ethnic studies programs. Ethnic studies does not allow ethnic groups to be separated to study their own cultures. Such action would be illegal in public systems, as well as counterproductive. Indeed, ethnic studies encourages all students to be taught about the ethnicity of everyone, instead of just his or her own. This information has often not been significantly included in so-called U.S. history. The class is required of all law enforcement students, because unless a police officer is familiar and comfortable with different people, he or she could make very dangerous mistakes based on prejudice. Ethnic studies allows us to recognize the accomplishments of all immigrants and Native Americans; to understand their contributions and the history and beauty of their cultures, and to see that all of us want the same thing: economic security, a safe place to have a family, a good quality of life and to be treated with mutual respect. Maybe it should be required in all of our schools rather than being banned. LINDA GREEN, SHAKOPEE