Description:

In March 2021, the California Department of Education approved the final version of the ethnic Studies Model Curriculum. In October 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 101 into law, making California the first state to require an ethnic studies class for graduation.

In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Dr. Wenyuan Wu, executive director of the Californians for Equal Rights Foundation. Dr. Wu explains that, while seemingly benign, the objective of ethnic studies is to train K-12 students to recognize which of them are natural oppressors and victims. Students are required to recite Aztec chants in class, including some by tribes who practice human sacrifice.

This ideology has also infiltrated mathematics. The new math instruction is to teach it in a way that avoids finding the right answer and having to show one’s work, as those are signs of white supremacy. We discuss the recent letter signed by prominent mathematicians and scientists across the country objecting to this change.

Resources:

California Ethnic Studies curriculum

California Assembly Bill No. 101

California Mathematics framework

Open letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom

California leftists try to cancel math class | Williamson M. Evers | The Wall Street Journal

Show notes:

• 02:05 | What is the California Ethnic Studies curriculum and AB 101?

• 04:40 | What are students learning under this curriculum?

• 06:35 | Ethnic studies has previously ignored various groups’ contributions to America

• 09:00 | Are Californians aware of what is going on in their schools?

• 13:35 | The new math framework focuses more on equity than learning algebra

• 19:40 | The compelling alternative that will actually help students