Is it Really 'Insulting' for Arizona's House Republicans to Keep Pictures of Latino Kids on Their Desks?

Is it Really "Insulting" for Arizona's House Republicans to Keep Pictures of Latino Kids on Their Desks?

By Matthew Hendley Wed., Mar. 7 2012 at 7:00 AM

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One of the allegedly "insulting" pictures.

Democratic State Senator Steve Gallardo was none to pleased when he saw some Republican House members were keeping pictures of Latino kids on their desks, symbols of the state's school-choice program.

Gallardo told New Times yesterday it was "insulting" for these House Republicans to have the pictures up, as he claimed -- among other things -- that the school-choice program isn't actually too beneficial for needy Latino kids.

"The fact is that [Arizona's Republican legislators] have done more to hurt the Hispanic community in last 10 years than any other group of elected officials," Gallardo said.

Republican State Representative Steve Montenegro, on the other hand, said most of the kids who benefit from the program are Latinos.

Gallardo maintains that if Republican legislators were serious about educating Latino kids, they'd pass the DREAM Act, all-day kindergarten, and put more funding toward public education in general.

Gallardo also responded with the following comment on yesterday's post:

Rep. Montenegro and his Republican friends have gone out of their way to ensure that public education fails Latino students. Now they play the race card in order to divert public dollars to private school profiteers. They look at Latino children as nothing more than a tax dollar to stuff in their greedy pockets. Montenegro should be ashamed at the way he allows profiteers to use him as a spokesman.

With some apparent fundamental differences over how to get Arizona's Latino kids to college, is it actually "insulting" for some Republican state representatives to keep the pictures of the youngsters on their desks?

Cast your vote below:

Tags:

arizona, dream act, racism, school vouchers, steve gallardo, steve montenegro

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Lydia

Its very insulting since all those very same legislators do is find ways to undermine Latino Children in every way possible to ensure that they DON"T succeed. From trying to cut programs like free lunch participation, to children's education.. They would NEVER support the DREAM Act and they're even supportive of ensuring that they don't ever become citizens like that challenge to the 14th amendment. These legislators hate Latino kids... it very very offensive for them to have those pictures on their desks.

rosalia136

If the child were not to succeed, no let me put it another way if my grown children had not succeeded in school it would be because I was not doing my job as a parent. This isn't just about Latinos this is about all ethnic groups, I also have two daughters one who owns her on dog grooming service and the other works as an and administrator for behavioral health company. When they were going to school there was no such thing as free lunches I made them their lunches when I didn't have the money to buy their lunches that did not make them any less intelligent, all have graduated with honors. As far as the dream act that's a whole different subject, never going to happen and there are bills that have passed in other states that squashes the whole idea of the dream act. They will not be allowed to attend any community colleges or universities unless they can prove they are here legally. why is it insulting for these legislatures to have pictures of the child on their desk? doesn't say it's only Latinos?

Lydia

I wonder if they'd still have those pictures on their desk if the signs the kids were holding said "I'm a citizen thanks to the 14th Amendment" ??

Bnbk

Great point Lydia. They know that these Latino,American citizen children,will not be supporting them when they reach voting age. These children are the Republi-Con wingnuts natural opponents.These childrens failure is a win for the Republi-Cons. The bad news for the Republi-Cons is that they are waging a losing battle,they will never be able to achieve their goal of denying education,voting rights and citizenship to all these American born Latino citizens. The thing they fear the most is an educated Latino citizen,hell any educated citizen,for that matter.

rosalia136

You're right weather it be Latino children or Chinese children they will not be supporting these people when they reach voting age these people won't be around for them to vote for, so Latino children who become adults are the only ones that are going to vote and some of those Latino children will become Republicans. Remember the recall for Russell Pearce, Sen. Jerry Lewis won the election he was one of those who voted for this bill and here Randy Parraz and his band of fools really believed that Sen. Jerry Lewis would vote on his agendas and was dumb enough to believe that Sen. Jerry Lewis was in favor of immigration, dream act etc.