I had previously blogged about how Indian community leaders in the Virginia suburbs had petitioned to update the textbooks that high school students use. These textbooks are often riddled with gross inaccuracies about India and Hinduism. Parents and community leaders in California have been pursuing a similar goal there, but the results have been mixed and now a significant group has voiced opposition to some changes. This begs a closer look at possible hidden agendas. New American Media reports:
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Don’t stand so, Don’t stand so close to me… |
Some Hindu and Sikh activists in the U.S. who have been trying in recent months to persuade the California Board of Education to adopt curriculum revisions in textbooks for elementary and middle school students say they are unhappy over the direction their efforts seem to have taken while on the home stretch.A clutch of academics and historians, who have just recently joined the debate, seems to have neutralized the gains the activists believe they had made. The academics weighed in with their views Nov. 8, which collectively dismiss many of the curriculum changes suggested over the past year by individual Hindus, as well as such organizations as the Vedic Foundation and the Hindu Education Society.
For example, one of the statements Hindu activists want deleted from a social science book is that Aryans were a “part of a larger group of people historians refer to as the Indo-Europeans.”
The activists assert Aryans were not a race, but a term for persons of noble intellect. The academics have urged that this statement not be removed.
In that same book, Hindu activists want the statement, “Men had many more rights than women,” replaced with, “Men had different duties (dharma) as well as rights than women. Many women were among the sages to whom the Vedas were revealed.”
The response from the academics? “Do not change original text.”
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p>It seems that many of the academics and historians that have voiced opposition to certain changes are suspicious of the motives of some of the Hindu activists. This group of academics includes Romila Thapar.
Writing on behalf of the academics, Michael Witzel, a Sanskrit professor at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., asserted that the groups proposing the changes have a hidden agenda.“The proposed revisions are not of a scholarly but of a religious-political nature, and are primarily promoted by Hindutva supporters and non-specialist academics writing about issues far outside their area of expertise,” Witzel wrote to CBE president Ruth Green in the letter.
Among the 45 or so signatories to his letter are Stanley Wolpert, professor of history at UCLA, and Romila Thapar, India’s well-known historian.
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p> If the historians are correct in their recommendations, and I have no reason to suspect that they are not, then this might be a great disservice to others around the country seeking legitimate changes for inaccuracies such as the ones pointed out in Virginia. If word spreads that there is an effort to actually place Hindutva propaganda in U.S. school textbooks, then every legitimate complaint will lose credibility. The school board was supposed to vote on changes yesterday, but as of now I cannot find the results (I will update the post when I do).
Supporters are hoping to make a last ditch effort to have their voices heard. They say it is crucial that the CBE accepts their suggestions if students are to get a proper perspective of Indian culture and history.“The social science and history textbooks do not give as generous a portrayal of Indian culture as they do of Islamic, Jewish and Christian cultures,” asserted Malhotra, founder of Infinity Foundation, an organization that is trying to give a “fair” portrayal of India in the U.S. “The Board of Education needs to have a standard that should be applied to all religions.”
“There’s a Euro-centric slant to what’s being taught in California classrooms,” noted San Francisco Bay Area resident Mona Vijaykar to India-West. “I’m upset that India’s contribution to modern civilization is not highlighted, and presented like European civilization is.”
Vijaykar runs the “India in Classrooms” program she launched two years ago in the San Francisco Bay Area to set right misconceptions teachers and students have about Indian history and culture.
I visited the India in Classrooms link above (which is where I got the image of the apple with a bindi). They had several Powerpoint presentations that serve as teacher resource guides. I didn’t go through them thoroughly, but they seem harmless. Perhaps more diligent SM readers can uncover any hidden agenda. Most of these groups probably have noble motives. It only takes a couple bad apples to ruin needed change.
rather obvious, yes?
big mac-mueller-doniger-courtright-witzel-wolpert-kirpal.. whatever their reasons, aren’t they all on the same plane? same ‘mission’ actually.
I am glad the IER has such brilliant scholars with such lucid perspective to enlighten us all: Enjoy!
“Before 1947, US immigration policies were so restrictive, barely a handful of Indians got in. The tiny quotas were filled for years, even a decade ahead. Indian (& Asian) immigration could take off from the later 1960s onwards, because immigration regulations now allowed in migrants with technical skills. Hence the huge numbers of technically highly trained Indians in the US. Business migrants were also now allowed in.
In both groups, [b]many came from Indian backgrounds where they learned English as a necessary tool only, & had little or no contact with the wider culture, literature, etc. So they have an excellent technical training/business acumen, but hardly any wider education. Naturally they take in Hindutva doctrines completely uncritically: they do not have the foundations to even recognise that such notions have to be considered sceptically.[b] American political & administrative institutions make it imperative to form racial/’cultural’ pressure groups — which means it is even less necessary to examine the ideological basis for these groupings.
Thus we’re looking at a major social change within India, transmitted to the US via migration over the relevant time-periods. In the US, of course, Americans can only see ‘Indians’ — undifferentiated. Anything beyond is just too baffling!
Sudha R. Shenoy Hon’y Associate in Economic History School of Economics & Politics University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia”
What a loss to India that the few (maybe 2 or 3) people with such brilliant insights have moved to Australia, US etc!
By the way, I know what a “Hony Wagon” is. What is a “Hony Associate” pls?
By the way, I know what a “Hony Wagon” is. What is a “Hony Associate” pls?
Guess she wanted to type ‘Horny Associate’ ? Given the pechant of these Indulogists for sex and pedophilia a la Courtright, I think that’s what she was aiming at.
Scholarship of Equine Posteriors Har(vard)appa-Style Part-I
Scholarship of Equine Posteriors Har(vard)appa-Style Part-II
Harvard professor launches anti Hindu Crusade
Pretty eye-opening, so I checked more into this. Here is more on this Harvard Professor Michael Witzel, and his “Professor” sidekick, Steve Farmer. Farmer, it turns out, is no professor. He was an Asst. prof until denied tenure at some Lousiana school, then became a temp assistant at various Church-funded operations around the world. Farmer is a fanatic Creationism proponent, whose initial work was all on the glory of the Catholic superstition, done exploring France and Italy. They he moved over to the Indian scene, where few people know the quality of his work.
The shrillness of these guys is unbelievable. Witzel claims that “Indian Civilization would be a good idea” . Both he and Farmer sneer at the community, calling people interested in his subject, but competent in other things “bank employee” (the gentleman retired as one of the top executives of a global bank) or “computer programmers” Apparently possession of any useful technical skills, or the ability to count past 20, disqualifies one from being an “Indology expert”.
Farmer also called the California State Education Board “IDIOTS” because they saw though this hollowness. Someone should inform those kind and hard-working folks about this.
Are you sure Michael Witzel is at Harvard UNIVERSITY, and not the kingergarten school attached to the university? This is far more blatant racism and bigotry than I ever expected to see in any American university after the 1970s.
Myron may have hit on the right description of the Harvard-led “IER”. These people are rabid Creationist fundamentalists. They react viciously to anything that questions Xtian fundamentalist dogma. Thus one big problem they have is that science debunks their version of “history” which has the human race starting at just 2 fully-grown people (with blue eyes, blond hair and speaking fluent German and Texan) located in an apple orchard in 4004 BCE.
All their chronology must conform to this basic ludicrous requirement. Their loud claims of being “scientists” is exactly the shrieking of the Creationist fundamentalists as well.
It is sad that a university like Harvard is AGAIN at the lead of such nonsense. Mr. Witzel’s racist and bigoted sneering, and his flunkie Farmer’s obscene shrieking rants, must make any Harvard graduate wince. I mean, if they have time to pause and think between their Corporate Insider Trading scams and their shady-lawyer scams.
Harvard’s racist, anti-woman President Lawrence Summers should be fired forthwith.
Nazi Witzel is agian trying to overturn the changes that were already accepted. If is very interesting to see how the SM community rises up to “protect & protest” against non-Hindu (excluding Sikh, Buddhist) south asian community but derives only “fine lines” for fundamental identity concerns of “majority” of south asians.
Anyway, please send your protest letters again to Curriculum Commission: (different addresses this time)
kheinrich@osc.ca.gov, ksteento@cde.ca.gov, sstickel@cde.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Goldberg@asm.ca.gov, RParker@cde.ca.gov, joconnell@cde.ca.gov,
Address to: Secretary Alan Bersin, CA Secretary of Education Email: kheinrich@osc.ca.gov Fax: (916) 323-3753 Address to: Karen Steentofte, Chief Counsel, State Board of Education Email: ksteento@cde.ca.gov Fax: (916) 319-0176
Address to: Ruth Green, President, State Board of Education Fax: (916) 319-0176
Address to: Sue Stickel, Deputy Superintendent of Schools Email: sstickel@cde.ca.gov Address to: Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg Email: Assemblymember.Goldberg@asm.ca.gov Fax: (916) 319-2145
here is some background on Witzel’s record at harvard: very interesting.
Jonathan A. Lewin, “Sanskrit Dept. in Disarray, Students, Officials Say”. The Harvard Crimson, 1995. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=500579
Anonymous (why am I not surprised by that? It seems a Gestapo place) “Former Sanskrit Chair Remains Controversial Students Grumble in Spite of Changes” The Harvard CRIMSON, 1996
http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=89651
Relevant excerpt:
“All of the graduate students who spoke against Witzel spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they feared retaliation if their names were published.”
“The graduate students held a meeting in December and took notes which they sent to Wolff. The minutes said they did not record the names of students who spoke for “fear of retribution.”
Witzel later threatened to sue Sarah LeVine, agraduate student who recorded the minutes of the meeting.”
Ah! Harvard’s Liberal Academic Freedom!
“But some students said they fear that when Witzel returns from Asia he will destabilize thedepartment.
“Nothing has really changed,” one student said.”When Witzel gets back, everything’ll be back to usual.”
kheinrich@osc.ca.gov
The above address for Karen Heinrich is incorrect, which is why many letters have bounced. The correct address is kheinrich@ose.ca.gov.
Also, I am told that the Saudis have given Harvard a HUGE grant which is why WITZEL and his gang of Sanskrit ‘professors’ are busy honoring the grant and denigrating Vedic sanskriti. PLEASE KEEP THE HEAT ON THE COMMISSION FOR TEXTBOOK CHANGE
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2005/12/18.shtml#3
AUSTIN, TEXAS, December 17, 2005: The Vedic Foundation issued the following press release:
Dear Hindu Community Members:
At the request of some individuals we are forwarding the below sample letter that can put on your letterhead and e-mail or faxed to all of the individuals on the attached contact list. Please note that the email for Alan Bersin has been updated and some additional names have been added to the list.
Please feel free to modify this letter in any way you wish or write your own. It is only meant to serve as a template. According to feedback received from one of the Commissioners at last week’s meeting, it is not necessary for each letter to have a different message. A few weeks ago there was a letter posted on a users group. More than 100 people forwarded the same letter to the Curriculum Commissioner. This made a big impression on her.
Please keep up your efforts and forward this message to all of your contacts so that on Monday morning the recipient’s e-mail boxes and faxes will be flooded with messages of support from the Hindu community in favor of making the corrections to the textbooks. This will make a strong statement to the State Board of Education Members who are the final decision makers.
Your continued support is crucial to the success of everyone’s efforts.
Regards,
Janeshwari Devi The Vedic Foundation Austin, TX (512) 288-7180
E-mails: norma.baker@lausd.net, Assemblymember.Goldberg@asm.ca.gov, sstickel@cde.ca.gov, ksteento@cde.ca.gov, kheinrich@ose.ca.gov, DeborahKeys@comcast.net
Suggested letter:
State Board of Education 1430 N Street, Room 5111 Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: The Edits and Corrections relating to Hinduism/India in 6th Grade Textbooks
Dear President Green and the Members of the State Board of Education; Alan Bersin, California Secretary of Education Karen Steentofte, Counsel for State Board of Education Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg Dr. Deborah Keys, Vice Chair, Curriculum Commission
I am writing to express my concern about the unfair and improper handling of the edits and corrections of the Hindu community during 2005 History-Social Science adoption process. The edits and corrections submitted by the Vedic Foundation and Hindu Education Foundation have been approved by:
1) Content Review Expert, Professor Shiva Bajpai in October, 2005 2) Ad-Hoc committee on October 31, 2005 3) Curriculum Commission on December 2, 2005
Textbooks describe the sacred writings of other religions as ‘historical accounts’ and their personalities as ‘historical figures,’ but irreverently describe the form of God in Hinduism, Lord Rama and Sita as ‘characters’ of the ‘fictional story’ Ramayana; Goddess Durga and Kali as ‘extremely terrible and bloodthirsty;’ the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures as songs, poems, myths, and legends. Also, the textbooks use ‘God’ in the discussion of other religions, but use ‘god or goddess’ with a small ‘g’ to describe the forms of God in Hinduism and wrongly teach our kids that Hindus believe in ‘many gods.’
The approved and the concurring edits remove such derogatory and prejudical language and achieve a balanced and respectful presentation of Hinduism similar to the treatment of other world religions.
The approved changes also introduce both sides of the Aryan Invasion/Migration historical debate by incorporating the language, “The Aryan invasion theory has been contradicted by scholarly evidence…” and introduce the words, “Some historians believe…” in their discussion of the Aryan Invasion/Migration theory.
Please give urgent consideration to this matter of utmost importance to myself, all Hindu youth and the Hindu community. We urge you, the Board Members, to approve the decision of the Curriculum Commission to correct the inaccurate and defamatory portrayal of Hinduism/India from all of the adopted textbooks so that thousands of Hindu students are not subjected to the detrimental effects of a denigrating and demoralizing education.
Sincerely,
Contacts to Send Correspondence in Support of California Textbook Reform:
Secretary Alan Bersin; California Secretary of Education; kheinrich@ose.ca.gov; Fax: (916) 323-3753
Karen Steentofte; Chief Counsel, California State Board of Education; ksteento@cde.ca.gov; Fax: (916) 319-0176
President Ruth Green and Board Members, California State Board of Education 1430 N Street, Room 5111, Sacramento, California 95814 Phone: (916) 319-0827. Fax: (916) 319-0176. Email not available.
Members, State Board of Education Phone: (916) 319-0827. Fax: (916) 319-0176. Email not available.
Sue Stickel; Deputy Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction Branch, California Department of Education; sstickel@cde.ca.gov; Phone: (916) 319-0806. Fax: (916) 319-0103
Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg; Chair of the Education Committee http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a45/; Assemblymember.Goldberg@asm.ca.gov; Fax: (916) 319-2145
Dr. Norma Baker, Ed.D.; Chair, Curriculum Commission; norma.baker@lausd.net
Dr. Deborah Keys, Ed.D.; Vice Chair, Curriculum Commission; DeborahKeys@comcast.net
Suggesting world history shouldn’t be studied because it’s contentious is silly. Perhaps we shouln’t study the Civil War and Reconstruction in the South to avoid stepping on any toes. Anyway, a year or two of AP American History in high school is certainly enuff to hash out the major debates that has transfixed this young republic. That being said world history’ shouldn’t be a elixir to soothe the multicultural masses either. I’ don’t care for many of Dinesh D’Souza’s views but he was was spot on in Illiberal Education in how to do world history right. The Hindu crowds are mostly talking about balance and respect i.e. quoting Manu on the role of women.
The Aryan Invasion theory might be the most contentious issue but they are so other basic facets that the mislabeled Hindutva groups are trying to correct. I don’t want to see textbooks written by cranks on either side – Witzel or people like David Frawley, whose fawning writings on the Subcontinent are just ridiculous.
By the way, check out the latest issue of India Abroad– they feature long interviews with Witzel and the Hindu American Foundation’s attorney, Suhag Shukla. ‘Tis a shame they don’t (re)publish their stuff on the web.
Sorry, sirc,
I will believe all this “let’s support the SCIENTIC TRUTH on Hinduism” pontification, when I see similar “Honesty” about the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and the US DoD and President – without FATWAs, Papal Bulls, or screams of discrimination and defamation.
Do some diligent reading please, and see all the RECENT instances where university Presidents have apologized, faculty are sent to “sensitivity training”, reporters are fired, lawsuits are filed all over, books and newspapers are censored, all when people feel offended at perceived slights to THEIR religions. Then study carefully just WHO is counseling this extreme “tolerance” to Hindus. A Hindu name means nothing – it’s probably a Marxist Communist, or a very capitalist self-promoting sepoy echoing His Master’s Voice.
All this “scientific research” argument in favor of racist bigots, is just plain dishonesty and paid propaganda.
In the US, “majority” opinion in many cities, such as, say, Atlanta. GA, is that Hinduism is a Satanic heathen cult, and Indians are brown heathens. Revising school textbooks to instil some minimal awareness and multicultural sensitivity is all that these California people are trying to do. The savage attacks on them by the racist bigots is very reminiscent of what some of us suffered for decades (centuries?) before we wised up on how to deal with these types.
Couldnt agree more.
sirc… this is not the time to point fingers inside. Or India will fail again for the same reasons as past few centuries.