SAN ANTONIO – There are new details on the upcoming decision to adopt a controversial Mexican-American textbook, including only a small minority of the State Board of Education members who publicly do not support it.
Using words like "lazy" to describe Mexicans throughout the history of Texas, groups, like the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, have labeled the text racist and have held a Q and A session Thursday morning with the local board member.
On page 248 of the current edition of “Mexican American Heritage,” the Virginia-based publisher wrote that during foreign investment in the late 1800s, Mexicans were stereotypically viewed as "lazy" and "were not reared to put in a full day's work so vigorously." It then said "drinking on the job" could be a problem.
"[If] it would ever enter into a classroom or the hands of young minds, it enrages me," said Marisa Perez, the Democratic member of the Texas State Board of Education representing San Antonio to the upper Rio Grande Valley.
Perez joined about 30 others to slam the textbook and answer questions.
The board will be in Austin next Tuesday to hear testimony on using the 512 page book in Texas classrooms, representing a potential student body of 5.3 million.
KSAT 12 learned during the Q and A that if the board does approve the book, there are options. If approved, districts can buy what they want, but the seal of approval means many districts will purchase it.
This book is the only option right now considered by the board. It could take another five to seven years before there is an approved replacement to vote on.
Only three of the 15 board members have come out publicly against it. The final vote is set for Nov. 18.
"Some are unwilling to come forward as of right now, but I think that in the end, if we're thinking about the students first, then the vote will be ‘no,’” Perez said.