"The world appears to be knowledgable about the effort – via S.B. 1070 – to legalize hate, fear and racial profiling in Arizona. What most seem to be unaware of is that there is also an effort by state schools superintendent Tom Horne, to brainwash the state’s school children via H.B. 2281 – the anti-Ethnic/Raza Studies law that unless stopped – will go into effect Jan. 1, 2011.

There is a third law in the works. State Sen. Russell Pierce, chief sponsor of the state’s apartheid laws, is working to nullify the 14th Amendment in Arizona (guarantees U.S. birthright citizenship).

Tolteka, a renowned Los Angeles hip hop artist – inspired by a recent column, “From Manifest Destiny to Manifest Insanity” – has penned a rhyme called “The Trilogy of Terror.” It breaks down these so-called laws that are intended to destroy our minds and spirits.

Those of us here in Arizona do not recognize these apartheid schemes as laws, at least not as moral or legitimate laws. Even the courts have already struck down the most odious parts of S.B. 1070.

But back to H.B. 2281. This is the one people are paying least attention to. While denouncing S.B. 1070 in May, five U.N. Special Rapporteurs also denounced H.B. 2281. They said: “Such law and attitude are at odds with the state’s responsibility to respect the right of everyone to have access to his or her own cultural and linguistic heritage and to participate in cultural life. … Everyone has the right to seek and develop cultural knowledge and to know and understand his or her own culture and that of others through education and information.”

They further pointed out that controlling immigration and adhering to fundamental principles of non-discrimination are not mutually exclusive: “States are obligated to not only eradicate racial discrimination, but also to promote a social and political environment conducive to respect for ethnic and cultural diversity.”"

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Roberto Rodriquez: We are spirit (Indian Country Today 8/26)