California is deleting the often-used In Lak’Ech affirmation from its model ethnic studies curriculum to settle a lawsuit from a San Diego group that claims the affirmation constitutes an Aztec prayer. Last year, California became the first state to make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement. In Lak’Ech is based on a Mayan philosophy that means “You are my other me.”The state’s model ethnic studies curriculum included a poem that playwright Luis Valdez wrote about In Lak’Ech. The poem is frequently recited in high school ethnic studies classes in California: “You are my other me. Californians for Equal Rights Foundation has spent several months working against initiatives such as ethnic studies courses and equity training for school staffers.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 20, 2022 01:07 UTC