On the heels of a controversial illegal immigration law that has reignited a national debate, Arizona's legislature has passed a law outlawing some public school ethnic studies programs accused of promoting an "overthrow of the United States government" or encouraging "resentment toward a race or class of people." Governor Jan Brewer signed the bill today.

Although few would defend public school programs that incite revolution or instill hatred of any group of fellow Americans, the law will undoubtedly be very controversial. In fact, the debate already went international with Tuesday's condemnation of the bill by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which stated that all people have the right to learn about their history and heritage.

The bill specifically affirms the legality of courses teaching the history of any ethnic group, as long as the course is open to all students and does not advocate for "ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals," as well as the other stipulations above. Despite that clarification, some fear the legislation bans all ethnic studies programs.

The most vocal supporter of the law, State Superintendent of Schools Tom Horne, who is also a candidate for attorney general in Arizona, is accused of specifically targeting a Tuscon Mexican-American studies program. Horne compared the courses to the "old South" encouraging resentment of another race, which he calls "ethnic chauvinism."

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