HOUSTON – A local veterans' group Monday called for the State Board of Education to reject a controversial textbook on Mexican-American heritage.
The American G.I. Forum spoke outside City Hall Monday morning.
Recommended Videos
They claim the textbook published by Momentum Instruction, called "Mexican American Heritage," does not portray Latino war veterans in an accurate manner.
"Let's get the story correct. Let's get it right. At least mention some of the things we're advocating, that you should also mention that Hispanics, also Mexican-Americans, besides the way this book is portrayed," John Martinez, with the American G.I. Forum, said.
"We'd like to see some natural historians come in, add it to the tapestry and strength of Texas," educator Juvenal Cardona said.
Mayor Sylvester Turner has also spoken out against the textbook because he said it describes Mexican workers as lazy. He said his objection is based not only on his own observations, but on reviews from history and Mexican-American studies experts.
As an example of the book’s slant on history, Turner cites a paragraph on page 248. It reads:
“Industrialists were very driven, competitive men who were always on the clock and continually concerned about efficiency. They were used to their workers putting in a full day’s work, quietly and obediently, and respecting rules, authority, and property. In contrast, Mexican laborers were not reared to put in a full day’s work so vigorously. There was a cultural attitude of ‘mañana,’ or ‘tomorrow,’ when it came to high-gear production.”
File: Mexican American History sample submitted to TEA
The Texas State Board of Education is set to review the book this fall.