Time for some of us oldies to accept the truth. Our history lessons were alternate facts.
Think about how so much of the history we were taught in schools was meant to be "neutral," but not based on facts. Columbus day gave Italian-Americans a day to be proud of, until someone pointed out that claiming he discovered America was a bit of an overreach because he only made it to the Bahamas. And whether he treated the natives fairly or cruelly is up for debate.
Thanksgiving is an example of intentional historical tom-dickery. We grew up feeling warm and happy that Indians came together with Pilgrims. Until some douchery white person pointed out that the Pilgrims put that meal together on their own and because the Pilgrims began shooting guns in celebration, it attracted the Indians who invited themselves to the feast. Yes, that was actually on a show. Maybe even on the History channel. Of course, because of that new narrative, the history of Thanksgiving was further researched and it was discovered that Thanksgiving was a metaphorical cannibalistic exercise. First they threw a feast for an Indian friend, and later they skewered him. So typical.
And Cinco de Mayo. I guess that was bone thrown to the latin american community. But, really, how many Americans of all colors grew up believing that Cinco de Mayo was Mexico's Independence Day? It became a day of celebration where Tequila sales soared to celebrate one major battle in the history of Mexico.
We don't have to go into detail to talk about Black History. No really, according to conservative white folk, we don't. Anything outside of the fact that slaves did better working on the fields, than they did as free men and women is now legally actionable.
This is the kind of inadequate history lessons that helped our white friends make it through another day in class, with us sitting next to them.
But, many were getting lessons of their own in households that were ruled by racist white fathers. Enough so that at least one of them, in a conversation on race, exposed two beliefs that I never heard about in school. First, that African countries used slaves and traded them, (this we did know) which justified the fact that America followed suit (Did not see that one coming). And that it is up to white people in the military to defend America because they don't hesitate to pull the trigger, regardless of who they're supposed to put down.
My head was ready to explode. I wonder what else they were taught quietly under those racist roofs. Neutralize us in schools, while they are taught lessons of hate at home.
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in teaching history are:
1. Since the advent of history (way back in ancient Greece), history has been used to give people a sense of who they are as countries.
2. The age and cognitive level of the student makes presenting certain subjects and concepts a challenge. Some kids do not have the emotional and cognitive level to absorb certain subjects. For example, I presented King Leopold II and his atrocities in a high school world history class. This image:
generated calls by parents to the school
3. Parents - - - so many parents view the history they learned decades ago as the gospel truth and anything that is contrary to those lessons, frankly, is wrong.
My grad school advisor told me that history really doesn't start to get taught until between jr/sr year in high school and freshman year of colleges/universities. Colleges and universities can really teach the subject more in depth but it is that depth that draws the ire of politicians and ideologues.
