Monday, August 10, 2009

letter to teacher

given the fact that India is one of the most populated countries in the world, and that Indians are the fastest growing Asian immigrant group in America, that the governor of Louisiana is Indian, why are we not taught about Indian-American immigrant history, or the history of India?

Some facts:
A 1918 law barred Indians from getting citizenship or immigrating to America. The 1680 case where an Indian man and Irish woman had a daughter taken a way and sold into slavery as Indians were considered the same classification as black people. In 1940, Indians were returned the right to be citizens, yet it must be noted Indians have been in America since Europeans first began settling. Why wasn't I taught that in the 60s, immigration was opened up? That the current population of Indians in America is about 2 million? A key reason behind that number being so low, say compared to German-heritage folks are the racist laws that disallowed non-Europeans entering the country and gaining citizenship. This despite the fact that the Europeans were a minority in a Native American country, yet were afforded unlimited immigration rights as their self imposed way of the day, whereas Indians, as well as other Asians, were denied entrance to the country and citizenship because they were a minority of the day (hypocrisy). The injustices in laws that used to exist and the methods by which they disposed of and liberty restored should be taught. After all, America is a country of immigrants, the original native population being decimated by disease and war. India is nuclear, and a major player in the global economy. Some combination of these facts must qualify India to be taught about. Not doing so is an injustice, depriving children or necessary knowledge, and will serve to encourage the mythology of the unknown, which in turn leads to war, racism, violation of human rights, and other unpleasantries. Education plays a vital role to every young developing mind, providing a window to the world for children living in otherwise-homogenous communities. Does it make sense hiding critical facts about the world from children who are eager to learn typically only whilst young?

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