'Precious Knowledge' Film Review

The 2011 documentary, Precious Knowledge details the legalities behind the once Mexican American/Raza studies classes in Tucson High School. Like most documentaries, Precious Knowledge is biased with the intention of discussing the improper treatment of Latino students. Although, I believe this movie was well portrayed and included multiple perspectives.

The ethnic studies program in the Tucson schools were first portrayed as beneficial and excellent education enhancers for struggling students. Taken from the perspective of three students and multiple teachers, the Raza studies program was instrumental in teaching students about respect, pride and love not only for their culture but for America and themselves. Not until an old white man came into the picture did things start to get messy. Precious Knowledge highlights the problems within America's modern education system in the sense of legal convolution about ethnicity.

Tom Horne (the documentary's portrayed antagonist) is the bane of the Raza studies program. I am not going to lie, Precious Knowledge did an excellent job in making me greatly dislike this man. He completely misunderstood the purpose of the program and twisted it into a problem about racism. On multiple accounts, he claimed the ethnic programs were increasing segregation and creating radical students who are anti-American. Although, these allegations were made based on bias and not first-hand experience. Throughout the film, we listen to students and Raza studies teachers lecture, and there is not one instance where they are instigating hatred for America. Rather, the program is enlightening students about the reality of ethnicity problems in America that have been and continue to be ubiquitous. With that being said, there is actually one comment Mr. Horne made about education that I find some truth in. He believed the purpose of the school system should be to transcend tribal tendencies and instead teach people about individuality. I agree with this to an extent for yes, grouping people based on ethnicity is wrong, although, understanding and having respect for multiple cultures is crucial to societal development. America is an individualistic society with a collection of cultures. We cannot and should not hinder a group of students from learning about their culture. If we do, then stop teaching about culture in general. 

                  

Precious Knowledge is the epitome of education and justice in film. If I were to rate it out of five stars, I would give it four and half. It summarizes yet challenges the problems within the American education system asking difficult questions like: what is the point of an education? What IS an education? How is education related to culture? Should schools teach about different cultures? What is American Culture? And so on. I think Precious Knowledge uncovered a hidden problem within education, that is: knowledge is power and power is dangerous. A reoccurring yet underlying argument made by Republican senators is that if everyone had equal treatment and equal opportunity, there would be no room for financial gain or superiority. Take for example, in the 1800's having a high school diploma was amazing and would be sustainable. Now, most professions require at least a college degree or even a Master's degree to be even considered. If everyone had equal opportunity to go to college, if college wasn't as expensive, eventually a Master's degree will be perceived as less prestigious, and so on. America is no longer the land of opportunity, it is the land of privilege. Precious Knowledge does not address this problem directly although, privilege is a reoccurring theme in education.