Highly respected professors face intimidation, threats and smear campaigns for deviating from the views of the Hindu right. A cultural and religious war is raging in which Western academics are the enemy.

If you are a teacher, school official, or perhaps even a student or parent in California, you have probably heard about the controversy that has raged for a decade about how India and Hinduism are depicted in California's History lessons.

All my life, I have heard only one story about California Indians: godless, dirty, stupid, primitive, ugly, passive, drunken, immoral, lazy, weak-willed people who might make good workers if properly trained and motivated. What kind of story is that to grow up with?

The California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) has held several arts training events based on a groundbreaking program called "Creativity at the Core" in advance of the broader vision.