Attacks on the Mexican American Studies program of Tucson, Arizona continues. State officials are following through on a campaign promise to close the program, but its meeting resistance from students, family, and teachers.

The teachers of the Mexican American Studies (MAS) program have organized a legal defense fund, toured the United States showing “Precious Knowledge,” a documentary on MAS, and spoken out in interviews and press conferences - a strategy that has helped their cause immensely. However, the power of political office is heavy, and state officials are doing everything possible on their end to mischaracterize MAS.

Last week, the Tucson Weekly responded epically with a cover story addressing the myths behind Mexican American Studies.

Possibly the strangest, but most revealing myth was Myth No. 3, which states, “These classes are teaching a form of Mayan religion.” It traces this myth to a Luis Valdez poem inspired by the Popol Vuh called “In Lak’ Ech.”

A more analytical approach was taken by Tucson Citizen’s Three Sonorans. By using Arizona’s own audit report, it confronts the many factual errors the attacks on MAS are based on. Confronting the myth that MAS promotes resentment towards a race or class of people is a quote from Supt. John Huppenthal’s own report: “No observable evidence exists that the instruction promotes resentment towards a race or class of people. The auditors observed the opposite, as students are taught to be accepting of multiple ethnicities of people.”

A ruling from the state superintendent’s office is expected in the coming days. Regardless of its findings, the good people of Tucson will surely defend this program and its accomplishments. For state officials hoping this attack would quiet dissenters, they’re mistaken. If anything, they’ve awoken a generation of Tucson youth willing to fight for their education.

Read: Arizona Educators Clash Over Mexican American Studies via the LA Times

Photo: Precious Knowledge / Tucson Weekly