Arizona seems determined to become the worst state in the Union. Not satisfied with making Latinos into second-class citizens, the state government just passed a law targeting ethnic studies programs in schools. Among other things, “the measure prohibits classes that advocate ethnic solidarity, that are designed primarily for students of a particular race or that promote resentment toward a certain ethnic group.” This is clearly meant to bring an end to ethnic studies programs, which inevitably touch upon the issue of racism in our society.
It seems to me that if fascism ever comes to this country, it will come not from the federal government, but from state governments. There are several state governments getting ready to pass anti-immigrant bills modeled after the one just passed in Arizona. And recently some governors have been expressing nostalgia for the days of the Confederacy. This would fit in with a historical pattern. The notion of “state’s rights” was used to first defend slavery and then racism. It’s often in state governments that the most reactionary ideas are found.
The Spanish Prisoner 
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