If Hispanics Hate the Term “Latinx,” Why Is It Still Used?
CFISD Teaches the Transgender Term, "Latinx" to Elementary Students
ACTinAction first became aware elementary students in CFISD were learning about the term, "Latinx" in the 2021-2022 school year after we asked for student's lessons that were not included in "Schoology". Schoology is a tool that is supposed provide parents their child’s curriculum and teaching materials (kind of like a modern-day text book). Not everything the district teaches is in Schoology, so parents may need to talk with their school’s principal to view the curriculum during school hours. This can be an undue burden for working parents that don't have time to take off of work but wanting transparency and tracking what their child is learning. Fortunately, the dedication of the ACTinAction team, we took time to discover this lesson. Anyone who discusses this among Latin Americans may be surprised to learn of the consternation among a very broad and diverse group to be told how they are supposed to be addressed. Here is Wikipedia’s definition of “Latinx”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_and_Latino_(ethnic_categories)
ACTinAction was made further aware of the usage through a parent at another CFISD elementary school. ACTinAction, whose mission is to empower parents on how to take control of their child’s public school education, has been posting lessons in CFISD and questioning the appropriateness of some of this curricula through social media, flyers and participating at CFISD Board Meetings. We have community members reaching out privately in the hopes we will expose what they are too afraid to speak out. There should be serious consideration as to whether it is necessary teaching, whether it is truly in the TEKS as set by the state of Texas and to what ends is this type of ideology to children brings benefits and foundational learning skills necessary for later in adulthood?
The lesson from Wells Elementary is presented below. Notice at the end it has a place to name "amazing Hispanic and Latinx Americans in our school”. Not only do students learn the controversial term, they identify it with people they look-up to at school.
The lesson from Pope Elementary. Both lessons have a part about celebrating the culture respectfully. The messages contained are totally confusing have pride in your culture, but your culture needs to use this definition of your culture. As if they are incompetent to define themselves and need some overarching administrator to tell them.
After establishing a clear pattern to these lessons, Freedom of Information Act requests were sent to CyFair ISD to ascertain what TEK this lesson teaches to (TEKS Texas Essential and Knowledge and Skills as defined by Texas Education Agency and are to taught in all Texas school district by law) and if CFISD created this lesson in-house, as opposed to purchasing the material. Here is CFISD's response:
CFISD writes, "Latinx is relatively new term. Some people may say Latino (masculine), Latina (feminine), but Latinx covers all genders."
CFISD writes, "it was developed by the district curriculum team".
CFISD writes, "This activity may also be used to satisfy the following social studies TEKS:
2nd Grade Social Studies TEKS (These are posted on our website)
(15) Culture. The student understands the significance of works of art in the local community. The student is expected to:
(A) identify selected stories, poems, statues, paintings, and other examples of the local cultural heritage; and
(B) explain the significance of selected stories, poems, statues, paintings, and other examples of the local cultural heritage.
(16) Culture. The student understands ethnic and/or cultural celebrations. The student is expected to:
(A) identify the significance of various ethnic and/or cultural celebrations; and
(B) compare ethnic and/or cultural celebrations."
No where can the term Latinx be found in the TEKS. Neither identifying amazing "Latinx", nor teaching of disrespectful stereotypes - yet CFISD put out curriculum they created that teaches these controversial terms and topics.
Evidenced Here:
And further still below.
