Texas’s effort to mandate how public schools teach students about race and racism has some educators worried.  

During a screening of “Precious Knowledge,” an award-winning documentary that examines the fight to preserve ethnic study programs in Tucson, Arizona, against political opposition.  

The event was hosted by TCU’s Maestro Program, an initiative designed to “recruit, prepare and support Latinx men in earning their degrees and teaching credentials.” 

The documentary follows teachers and students at Tucson’s Mexican American studies program as they protest the Arizona House Bill 2281, an anti-2010 ban on courses purported to promote “racial resentment,” according to Arizona Legislature.

The ban resulted in the elimination of a program that had raised student enrollment and graduation rates in a district that is 60% Latino, according to the documentary.

Some at the TCU program are wary that Texas could see similar results.

“We have to think critically about how different this context is from what we see today,” Przymus said, “Is it happening here? Could it happen here?”

Legislation has been introduced this year that would ban teaching about diversity, equity and inclusion in public and charter schools.

In 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 3 into law, which directs how public and charter schools can teach civics lessons.
The Texas Education Agency is developing a civics instructional course on teaching about race and racism for all districts to adopt by this year.

Former FWISD school board president Dr. Jacinto Ramos Jr. said there has already been pushback against efforts to address racial inequity in education.

In February 2016, the school board created the Racial Equity Committee to study the district’s practices and policies, according to Fort Worth ISD.

But some people, including some parents, argued that the district was promoting reverse racism. 

“There’s this fear,” Ramos said, “that non-whites will do to whites what they’ve done to non-whites.”

As the fight for ethnic studies continues across the country, screenings like “Precious Knowledge” showcase what has been accomplished and what is left to be done. 

“The struggle isn’t over,” said Dr. Pablo Montes, professor of curriculum studies, “and it’s taking place right here.” 

For more information on similar events, reach out to TCU’s College of Education or contact Steve Przymus at s.przymus@tcu.edu.