User:Stormageddon623/2016–17 California textbook controversy over South Asian topics
Intro To Article
[edit]
Keep: In 2016 and 2017, there was a significant debate on how topics related to South Asia were represented in California middle school textbooks[1][2][3]—a follow-up to a related set of debates that took place from 2005 to 2009.
Add: These debates were fueled by varying religious groups who felt the 2009 changes were incorrect or pushed political agendas. [1]
Groups Involved
[edit]Hindu American Foundation
[edit]Since 2005, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has been involved in advocating for changes within California textbooks. Over 2016-2017, they sent letters, joined petitions, and published articles, working towards their goal of making educational content within California inclusive and accurate. In 2017, the HAF participated in the California Department of Education's textbook adoption process. [2] Many academics and American Hindus who are critical of the HAF's involvement accused the organization of pushing Hindutva ideologies within their proposed changes.[1]
Other Advocacy Groups
[edit]According to The Caravan, there were two main set of advocacy groups:
One set of groups "was led by the Hindu American Foundation…and the Hindu Education Foundation…heavily critical of certain parts of the textbooks, which they felt denigrated Hinduism."
Keep:
[edit]According to The Caravan, the other set of groups were organized as "South Asian Histories for All, an inter-caste, multi-faith group of activists," which "cited inaccuracies regarding caste and other issues in the textbook material, and called for a delay on the books’ approval so that they could be submitted for further editing."
2017 History-Social Science Edits and Corrections
[edit]On September 28th, 2017, the California Department of Education published a list of edits and corrections. Some, but not all, changes include:
| Original Text | Corrections | Reference/Int. Ref. Number |
|---|---|---|
| "Sikhism blends teachings from Islam and Hinduism." | "Sikhism preached a path that was both independent from Hinduism and Islam." | [3]2 |
| “Chandra Gupta I founds the Gupta Empire,” | “Chandragupta Maurya.” | [3]3 |
| “Sikhism in India,” | “Sikhism in South Asia.” | [3]12 |
| “While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism, though some have argued otherwise,” | “While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism.” | [3]14 |
| “However, some aspects of the caste system are still observed in two areas of Sikh society—marriage and some gurdwaras, or places of worship. Sikhs are expected to marry someone of their own caste. Some castes have also created gurdwaras for their caste only,” | “However, some aspects of the caste system are voluntarily observed in two areas of some Sikh societies—marriage and some gurdwaras, or places of worship. While not required, some Sikhs may choose to marry someone of their own caste. Some castes have also created gurdwaras.” | [3]18 |
| “These articles include a turban, a sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb,” | “These articles include uncut hair, a religious sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb." | [3]19 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Kelly, Leah (September 2016). "California's Hindu Textbook Controversy: Redefining Hindu American Identity" (PDF). University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès – via University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès.
- ^ "California Curriculum Reform". Hindu American Foundation. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- ^ a b c d e f https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/cc/cd/documents/hmhedits6-8.pdf