EDFN 3301. Film Analysis #2. Precious knowledge.docx -...

Jessica Vasquez
EDFN 3301
Film Analysis #2
“Precious Knowledge”
For this analysis I choose to watch, “Precious Knowledge” Revolutionary
Education. This documentary primary focus relates to the banning of Mexican-
American Studies or M.A.S. Program in the Tucson School District of Arizona.
Throughout this film viewers are shown real- life recordings of teacher and student
interactions, both inside and outside of the classroom. Viewers are also provided with
interview footage from those involved, while examining the social inequities experienced
in the personal lives of these high school students. The teachers in the “Precious
Knowledge” documentary, are making the attempt to relate to and assist students to
discover their ‘sense of self’ and them appreciate and convey their culture. (Palos and
McGinnis, 2011). This film portrays the real history of exclusion and discrimination
based on race/ ethnicity in the state of Arizona. Throughout the film we learn about the
implement of, “Raza Studies” also known as Mexican- American Studies, which is
centered on an individual’s personal morals and a social justice pedagogy.
In an effort to raise awareness about the unfair House Bill 2281, Mexican-
American high school students and their instructors joined together in order to