2016–17 California textbook controversy over South Asian topics explained

In 2016 and 2017, there was a significant debate on how topics related to South Asia were represented in California middle school textbooks[1] [2] —a follow-up to a related set of debates that took place from 2005 to 2009. These new debates were fueled by varying religious groups who felt the 2009 changes were incorrect, or pushed political agendas.[3] The California Department of Education runs a public process to update the history and social sciences curriculum frameworks, which help guide the textbooks that publishers develop for students. Starting in 2016, groups submitted textbook revisions dealing with a variety of issues related to histories of South Asia,[4] India, Hinduism,[5] Sikhism,[6] Dalits, Muslims, Ravidassias, the Indus Valley civilization, and the rights of women, as taught in California 6th and 7th grade history and social science textbooks.[7] The Department of Education made final decisions on the topics in 2017, retaining content on the caste system, and referring to all of historical South Asia as India, among many other decisions.[8]

Groups involved

The Hindu American Foundation

Since 2005, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has been involved in advocacy for changes within California textbooks. Over 2016-2017, they sent letters, joined petitions, and published articles, working towards a claimed goal of making educational content within California inclusive and accurate. In 2017, the HAF participated in the California Department of Education's textbook adoption process.[9]  Many academics and American Hindus who were critical of the HAF's involvement accused the organization of pushing Hindutva ideologies within their proposed changes.

Other advocacy groups

Another group was organized as "South Asian Histories for All", describing itself as an "inter-caste, multi-faith group of activists," which "cited inaccuracies regarding caste and other issues in the textbook material, and called for a delay on the books’ approval so that they could be submitted for further editing."

Academics

Academics also played an important role. There were two primary sets of academics providing comment on the issues:

2017 History-Social Science edits and corrections

On September 28, 2017, the California Department of Education published a list of edits and corrections. Some, but not all, changes include:

2017 Changes And Corrections Grades 6-8!Original Text!Corrections!Reference/Int. Ref. Number
"Sikhism blends teachings from Islam and Hinduism.""Sikhism preached a path that was both independent from Hinduism and Islam."[10] 2
“Chandra Gupta I founds the Gupta Empire,”“Chandragupta Maurya.”3
“Sikhism in India,”“Sikhism in South Asia.”12
“While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism, though some have argued otherwise,”“While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism.”14
“However, some aspects of the caste system are still observed in two areas of Sikh society—marriage and some gurdwaras, or places of worship. Sikhs are expected to marry someone of their own caste. Some castes have also created gurdwaras for their caste only,”“However, some aspects of the caste system are voluntarily observed in two areas of some Sikh societies—marriage and some gurdwaras, or places of worship. While not required, some Sikhs may choose to marry someone of their own caste. Some castes have also created gurdwaras.”18
“These articles include a turban, a sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb,”“These articles include uncut hair, a religious sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb."19

Dalits and the caste system

The debate

Advocates disagreed on whether and how the history of the caste system should be included in history books, and how Dalit communities should be named.[11]

The result

The proposal to rename "Untouchables" as "socially ostracized and economically disadvantaged communities" was rejected by the Instructional Quality Commission, and the use of the word Dalit was incorporated into the curriculum framework. Commission members also rejected a suggestion that would describe jati groups as "self-governing."[12]

However, according to The Caravan, "the final textbook matches HAF’s suggested edits more closely than it does the framework text. For example, while the framework had described the Dalit community by name, the approved National Geographic textbook fails to do so. It notes, 'At the bottom were slaves, laborers, and artisans…Many centuries later, another group developed that was considered even lower'."

Guru Nanak and caste

The debate

The result

After debate, the Sikh Coalition praised the final textbook curriculum for retaining the language.[13] However, National Geographic, one of the publishers who developed a textbook based on the curriculum, dropped references to Nanak’s opposition to the caste system. Sikh groups pointed to a Hindu American Foundation employee credited in the textbook as a "reviewer of religious content". According to The Caravan, the Hindu American Foundation "affirmed that the foundation had worked directly with all the publishers except for Studies Weekly and McGraw Hill."

Dalip Singh Saund and Sikhism

The debate

The result

The Instructional Quality Commission agreed to retain language naming Saund's Sikh identity.[15]

India and South Asia

The debate

The result

The California Department of Education's Instructional Quality Commission eventually decided to use the word "India" in every instance within the curriculum framework.[20] [21]

Indus Valley civilization

The debate

The result

The Instructional Quality Commission rejected the edits, retaining the phrase "Indus Valley civilization."

Subsequently, the textbook review panel flagged publisher Pearson's references to the "Sarasvati River," responding with comments like "This is a subject of controversy, not settled fact…Remove mention of ‘Sarasvati’ and refer to it as ‘Indus Valley civilization'". In response, a Pearson employee defended the usage, stating that the changes were requested by the Hindu American Foundation, the Hindu Education Foundation, and Hindupedia. The Instructional Quality Commission upheld the original request, and Pearson revised its textbook.

Representation of Hindus

A coalition led by the Hindu American Foundation and other community groups that included nearly 40 academics, about 74 interfaith organizations and elected officials like Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and California State Senator Steve Glazer urged the California Board of Education to review the draft to ensure fair representation of Hinduism, Jainism and Indian culture.[22] Dozens of Indian-American students spoke out against the South Asia Faculty Group's suggested edits, accusing them of Hinduphobia and robbing them of selfhood.[23]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Hindu group protests possible California textbook changes. Shapiro. T. Rees. April 12, 2016. The Washington Post.
  2. Web site: India, South Asia, and Hindutva: What's Going On With California Textbooks?. Sinha. Bhaavya. May 17, 2016. Berkeley Political Review. en-US. 2018-12-16.
  3. Kelly . Leah . September 2016 . California's Hindu Textbook Controversy: Redefining American Hindu Identify . Department of English World Studies . University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès.
  4. News: The Latest Skirmish in California's Textbooks War Reveals the Mounting Influence of Hindutva in the United States. 2018-02-07. The Caravan. 2018-10-02. en-US.
  5. Web site: Hindu groups in California oppose the proposed revisions to school textbooks. Punit. Itika Sharma. April 25, 2016. Quartz. en-US. 2016-04-26.
  6. News: California Passes Textbook Standards Including 'Comfort Women,' Sikhs. NBC News. 2018-10-02. en-US.
  7. News: There's a new battle raging in California over history textbooks. Here's what you need to know. 2016-05-16. Salon. 2018-10-02. en-US.
  8. Web site: California Upholds Hindu Groups' Recommendations for Textbooks. 2017-11-14. Little India. en-US. 2018-12-16. 2017-12-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20171218195756/http://littleindia.com/california-upholds-hindu-groups-recommendations-textbooks. dead.
  9. Web site: California Curriculum Reform . 2022-12-05 . Hindu American Foundation . en-US.
  10. 2017 History–Social Science Adoption List of Edits and Corrections and Social Content Citations, California Department of Education, 28 Sep. 2017, https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/cc/cd/documents/hmhedits6-8.pdf
  11. News: Last hearing today: Should the word 'Dalit' be used in California textbooks?. Chari. Mridula. Scroll.in. 2018-10-02. en-US.
  12. News: California to Revise How India Is Portrayed in Textbooks. Medina. Jennifer. May 19, 2016. The New York Times.
  13. News: CA Sikh History Approved, Sets Precedent For Nation. 2016-07-15. Sikh Coalition. 2018-10-04. en-US.
  14. News: The Latest in a 10-Year Battle Over How California Teaches South Asian History. Solomon. Akiba. 2016-04-01. ColorLines. 2018-10-02. en.
  15. News: California textbooks: The next stage of the battle. 2016-07-10. The Indian Express. 2018-10-02. en-US.
  16. News: Viewpoint: Why Hindu groups are against California textbook change. 2016-05-27. BBC News. 2018-12-16. en-GB.
  17. News: South Asian Community Debates 'South Asia,' 'India' Ahead of Textbook Updates. NBC News. 2018-08-11. en-US.
  18. News: California Textbook Controversy: 'Scholars for People' sends final letter to CBE IndiaFacts. 2016-05-12. IndiaFacts. 2018-08-11. en-US.
  19. News: California Curriculum Body Acknowledges Reality of Caste System. South Asian Histories For All. 2018-10-02. en-US.
  20. Web site: After hours of testimony, California state board rejects two history textbooks, approves 10 others. EdSource. en. 2018-08-11.
  21. Web site: 'India' Will Not be Replaced with 'South Asia' in California Texbooks: Commission. Press Trust of India. May 20, 2016. India-West. December 16, 2018. May 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160525140308/http://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/india-will-not-be-replaced-with-south-asia-in-california/article_a57ce7d0-1ec4-11e6-9a7b-7f9c0a5d7fda.html. dead . Press Trust of India .
  22. Web site: Hindus urge California state board to reject textbooks due to negative images. EdSource. en. 2018-08-11.
  23. News: Debate Erupts in California Over Curriculum on India's History. Medina. Jennifer. May 4, 2016. New York Times. 2018-08-11. en.