Much about our history is deeply shameful -- but of course this truth is not restricted to America but also must be true of most other countries in the world. But the cat is out of the bag because now the past has been documented -- your reports are a good example -- and is undeniable. Who doesn't remember the images of the schoolgirls in Little Rock being spat upon as they tried to go to school, or the images of Bull Connor's men hosing down or siccing dogs on marchers? Anyway, we owe it to the generations to come not to simplify or sanitize history. They say that the "end of history" arrived when the Soviet Union broke apart, signalling the triumph of the Western liberal democratic consensus. Not so fast. Maybe this is the beginning of a history that cannot be falsified or written exclusively by the victors.
Just saw parents against critical theory they are for more objective curriculum to be taught in school to stop the progressive teaching that are taking over. Are these people nuts? Answered my own question. Why don’t they just be honest and say keep America white. I have no idea what they are afraid of . what are these children going to be as adults. A bunch of baby trumps?
I live in Fresno, CA…yes, California. I am embarrassed to say that I lived in a bubble for many years thinking that our race issues were getting better until the last president took office. And then I started to take a good look round my city and our area in general and realized that is truly not the case. Our city is finally starting the dialogue of red lining that still was happening into the 2000s. Our country’s true history need to be taught in the schools to reconcile our country’s past with the hope to form a more perfect union for all. My son plans on teaching history once he is done with his schooling. It’s a job that will require him to teach facts, not his or anyone else’s opinion as to what happened, to the best of his ability. He understands this assignment and am quite confident he will do this.
I taught AP Biology to seniors. For several years, I assigned, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," for summer reading prior to the start of the course. Along with the book, I composed ten, required, free response questions for the students to answer. While some questions were based on facts, the rest were designed to encourage students to consider the ethics of the medical practices, legality, and social biases. None of the students nor their parents objected to the assignment. This independent school's mission, clearly stated in its admission materials, was to develop independent thinkers. If parents will listen carefully to what critical race theory is and is not, perhaps they will understand that it is not a curriculum but offers an opportunity for schools to rethink how American history can be taught more inclusive and honestly.
In a way this almost borders on a freedom of religion issue. When I (white) was stationed in the south South from '59 to '63, it was extremely rare to encounter a white person that wasn't convinced of the sanctity of Jim Crow and slavery. Sanctity, how does that fit in? Well, start with the premise that the blacks are a significantly inferior race socially and intellectually (fortunately for the white economy, not physically). So slavery and Jim Crow protected that race from the unintelligible complexities of white society, that blacks couldn't possibly cope with - slavery and Jim Crow provided comfort zones.
The ubiquity of racial superiority beliefs, and more to the point, the tenacity with which they are sustained, and the willful use of these beliefs as a basis for harmful actions, is what likens it to a religion, though embraced more ferociously than the Judaeo-Christian kinds.
Thank you for a thoughtful analysis of parent's rights. Regrettably, we as a Nation are still mindful of the injustices done during the period of slavery. For many, the only solution is to "forget it" hoping the memory will just fade away. For us who seek to honor history, the path to redemption is more difficult. In my view, history should always be taught honestly with the hope that our wrongs will not be repeated. To those citizens who seem intent on violence to school board members, I hope that their actions are subject to laws today which were not available during the period of slavery. Let us all keep in mind that two wrongs do NOT make a right.
Point to reason, Racisms, One cannt solve a problem without knowing, core of the problem,
Like, how to fight a decease if you dont or cannt recognize it`s self, only see and addressing the side effects. Yeah, one many give SOME relief. But the problem is still there and growing.
Take Southern boarder problem, this is or has been a problem going back to 1960`s. Mainly, NOT addressing drug trade. now we have or South America has Drug Curtails running their Gov and economy.
Other and to issue, I think, to where a friend Pro Trump, Noted to me, about a court case that was won, over Teenager getting into the face of a Elderly Indian in Washington DC. That Lawyer for the teen got him 3 million - won the case. Then Later, I point back to my friend on news of "that Same Lawye"r looking to run for Congress. As a Rep-Gop and stating what is Wrong with the Rep voters is they are closet racists, short, not coming out as racist. LoL.
Then We need to Note: "We are a Republic" meaning We cannt disfranchise small group that are not, not able to ever have the majority vote. I look to the Amish people-Religion, they will not Ever have majority in A democracy Voting system. BUT We as a Nation "Republic" shouldn't or if law of the Constitution is to hold Disfranchise them. Right?
So to that thought, Go Back to Steven King once Senator from The state of Iowa, I believe. Making a case that He had the right to be Racist. An he shouldn't be Disfranchised and be able "to have a Right" being-in whatever he believe -in even being up front a Racist. He strongly believe He had that right.
I believe that maybe the last time, We saw the Republic Party, doing the right thing as to kicking anybody or a member out of the party for in-moral conduct.
To when "Other on fighting back this Thinking" when I have a conversation with someone that just up front on being a racist. I point out to them, I hope You dont ever have to be hospitalized and in need of Blood. Then pausing, to wait for a Response. as to why?... Then I say will odds are, if you need or have a blood Transfusion.
90% chance is it will be from a black person, thus you will be Black by blood. lol
I had one neighbor in Texas said he preferred die then. Replying back,,, Will go write your "Living Will" You prefer to die. Or go fine a Blood bank and start saving Money and your own blood for it going to cost. Then you have to stay ALWAYS close to that Blood bank, and Hospital. For IF,, you ever go out of state and have a accident, they will not have that Blood of yours. Short, You`ll need to Imprison You Own self..
Thank you, Dan for your clear thinking. The cynical use of parental fears of bogus influences and partisan curricula in order to increase fear in purple suburbs is shameful. I cannot imagine a political party that can be so corrosive as to deploy these and other recent measures to ensure a win. History and civics are now full of landmines for teachers. Children do need to think critically, not just memorize favored fairy tales. And the professional academy of each discipline should be able to find ways of doing that that allow recognition of past and current issues of justice, and pride in a nation that looks at them squarely.
Once again, Sir, you have made me think, and this time a little longer. So, off I went in search of whatever it was to be better informed about our current schools’ (and ongoing) challenges. I purchased a very nice paperback for $1.99 at a resale shop: The Men of the Lewis & Clark Expedition by Charles G. Clarke. The Introduction to the Bison Books Edition stopped me in my tracks. No pun intended (haha!), seeing that this was the Corps of Discovery per Thomas Jefferson’s vision. What caught my attention is that yes, Lewis and Clark were in charge, and Sacagawea was there too, and that those men received the kudos, and she’s on a coin, but what happened to the rest of the Expedition? The focus of the book is not to retell the daily diary recordings by those two men, but rather to bring forward (and for them to get credit!) the rest of the Expedition of 51 men, and one woman, her husband and their son. My point in bringing this up in your post is that THIS IS THE KIND OF HISTORY that needs to be taught in schools! I’m a senior citizen now, and I just remember Lewis and Clark, and for decades just those two. No, my memory is not so accurate that I can recall every school-taught lesson, but I don’t remember being taught that one of the men was, and I quote: (Ben?) York. Ben York was “Clark’s negro servant who was willed to him by Clark’s father on July 24, 1799”. Yes, ten years AFTER the U.S. Constitution was effective March 4, 1789: We the People of the United States. Sir, and you better know this than me because of your career: We the People are not united. In my opinion, the (borrowing the movie title) “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of History has to be taught. The “Ben Yorks”, and countless other Americans, or not Americans need to be brought forward. How this will be done, I have no clue. Lastly, sometimes I wonder if this was the kind of “air” that Americans were breathing before the Civil War? Once, again, thank you for listening!
I agree with Lisa O. about Democrats messaging. I was involved, years ago, when a few parents didn't want individualism taught in the school. It's often, just a few vocal people encouraged by radicals. I think Democrats, in general, need to start raising their voices and pointing out the lies.
I will gladly share this post, Dan. Kudos to you and to Janice Airhart and teachers of her ilk.
Much about our history is deeply shameful -- but of course this truth is not restricted to America but also must be true of most other countries in the world. But the cat is out of the bag because now the past has been documented -- your reports are a good example -- and is undeniable. Who doesn't remember the images of the schoolgirls in Little Rock being spat upon as they tried to go to school, or the images of Bull Connor's men hosing down or siccing dogs on marchers? Anyway, we owe it to the generations to come not to simplify or sanitize history. They say that the "end of history" arrived when the Soviet Union broke apart, signalling the triumph of the Western liberal democratic consensus. Not so fast. Maybe this is the beginning of a history that cannot be falsified or written exclusively by the victors.
Just saw parents against critical theory they are for more objective curriculum to be taught in school to stop the progressive teaching that are taking over. Are these people nuts? Answered my own question. Why don’t they just be honest and say keep America white. I have no idea what they are afraid of . what are these children going to be as adults. A bunch of baby trumps?
I live in Fresno, CA…yes, California. I am embarrassed to say that I lived in a bubble for many years thinking that our race issues were getting better until the last president took office. And then I started to take a good look round my city and our area in general and realized that is truly not the case. Our city is finally starting the dialogue of red lining that still was happening into the 2000s. Our country’s true history need to be taught in the schools to reconcile our country’s past with the hope to form a more perfect union for all. My son plans on teaching history once he is done with his schooling. It’s a job that will require him to teach facts, not his or anyone else’s opinion as to what happened, to the best of his ability. He understands this assignment and am quite confident he will do this.
I taught AP Biology to seniors. For several years, I assigned, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," for summer reading prior to the start of the course. Along with the book, I composed ten, required, free response questions for the students to answer. While some questions were based on facts, the rest were designed to encourage students to consider the ethics of the medical practices, legality, and social biases. None of the students nor their parents objected to the assignment. This independent school's mission, clearly stated in its admission materials, was to develop independent thinkers. If parents will listen carefully to what critical race theory is and is not, perhaps they will understand that it is not a curriculum but offers an opportunity for schools to rethink how American history can be taught more inclusive and honestly.
In a way this almost borders on a freedom of religion issue. When I (white) was stationed in the south South from '59 to '63, it was extremely rare to encounter a white person that wasn't convinced of the sanctity of Jim Crow and slavery. Sanctity, how does that fit in? Well, start with the premise that the blacks are a significantly inferior race socially and intellectually (fortunately for the white economy, not physically). So slavery and Jim Crow protected that race from the unintelligible complexities of white society, that blacks couldn't possibly cope with - slavery and Jim Crow provided comfort zones.
The ubiquity of racial superiority beliefs, and more to the point, the tenacity with which they are sustained, and the willful use of these beliefs as a basis for harmful actions, is what likens it to a religion, though embraced more ferociously than the Judaeo-Christian kinds.
Hi Dan:
Thank you for a thoughtful analysis of parent's rights. Regrettably, we as a Nation are still mindful of the injustices done during the period of slavery. For many, the only solution is to "forget it" hoping the memory will just fade away. For us who seek to honor history, the path to redemption is more difficult. In my view, history should always be taught honestly with the hope that our wrongs will not be repeated. To those citizens who seem intent on violence to school board members, I hope that their actions are subject to laws today which were not available during the period of slavery. Let us all keep in mind that two wrongs do NOT make a right.
Hi Dan:
Hi Dan:
Hi Dan:
Hi Dan:
CRT, History is History, and should be taught. But, I believe what is needed here,
"Dont teach Guilt."
Point of knowing History is to NOT to repeat mistakes. Many need to heed to that. or be re-educated.
Point to reason, Racisms, One cannt solve a problem without knowing, core of the problem,
Like, how to fight a decease if you dont or cannt recognize it`s self, only see and addressing the side effects. Yeah, one many give SOME relief. But the problem is still there and growing.
Take Southern boarder problem, this is or has been a problem going back to 1960`s. Mainly, NOT addressing drug trade. now we have or South America has Drug Curtails running their Gov and economy.
Other and to issue, I think, to where a friend Pro Trump, Noted to me, about a court case that was won, over Teenager getting into the face of a Elderly Indian in Washington DC. That Lawyer for the teen got him 3 million - won the case. Then Later, I point back to my friend on news of "that Same Lawye"r looking to run for Congress. As a Rep-Gop and stating what is Wrong with the Rep voters is they are closet racists, short, not coming out as racist. LoL.
Then We need to Note: "We are a Republic" meaning We cannt disfranchise small group that are not, not able to ever have the majority vote. I look to the Amish people-Religion, they will not Ever have majority in A democracy Voting system. BUT We as a Nation "Republic" shouldn't or if law of the Constitution is to hold Disfranchise them. Right?
So to that thought, Go Back to Steven King once Senator from The state of Iowa, I believe. Making a case that He had the right to be Racist. An he shouldn't be Disfranchised and be able "to have a Right" being-in whatever he believe -in even being up front a Racist. He strongly believe He had that right.
I believe that maybe the last time, We saw the Republic Party, doing the right thing as to kicking anybody or a member out of the party for in-moral conduct.
To when "Other on fighting back this Thinking" when I have a conversation with someone that just up front on being a racist. I point out to them, I hope You dont ever have to be hospitalized and in need of Blood. Then pausing, to wait for a Response. as to why?... Then I say will odds are, if you need or have a blood Transfusion.
90% chance is it will be from a black person, thus you will be Black by blood. lol
I had one neighbor in Texas said he preferred die then. Replying back,,, Will go write your "Living Will" You prefer to die. Or go fine a Blood bank and start saving Money and your own blood for it going to cost. Then you have to stay ALWAYS close to that Blood bank, and Hospital. For IF,, you ever go out of state and have a accident, they will not have that Blood of yours. Short, You`ll need to Imprison You Own self..
Thank you, Dan for your clear thinking. The cynical use of parental fears of bogus influences and partisan curricula in order to increase fear in purple suburbs is shameful. I cannot imagine a political party that can be so corrosive as to deploy these and other recent measures to ensure a win. History and civics are now full of landmines for teachers. Children do need to think critically, not just memorize favored fairy tales. And the professional academy of each discipline should be able to find ways of doing that that allow recognition of past and current issues of justice, and pride in a nation that looks at them squarely.
Once again, Sir, you have made me think, and this time a little longer. So, off I went in search of whatever it was to be better informed about our current schools’ (and ongoing) challenges. I purchased a very nice paperback for $1.99 at a resale shop: The Men of the Lewis & Clark Expedition by Charles G. Clarke. The Introduction to the Bison Books Edition stopped me in my tracks. No pun intended (haha!), seeing that this was the Corps of Discovery per Thomas Jefferson’s vision. What caught my attention is that yes, Lewis and Clark were in charge, and Sacagawea was there too, and that those men received the kudos, and she’s on a coin, but what happened to the rest of the Expedition? The focus of the book is not to retell the daily diary recordings by those two men, but rather to bring forward (and for them to get credit!) the rest of the Expedition of 51 men, and one woman, her husband and their son. My point in bringing this up in your post is that THIS IS THE KIND OF HISTORY that needs to be taught in schools! I’m a senior citizen now, and I just remember Lewis and Clark, and for decades just those two. No, my memory is not so accurate that I can recall every school-taught lesson, but I don’t remember being taught that one of the men was, and I quote: (Ben?) York. Ben York was “Clark’s negro servant who was willed to him by Clark’s father on July 24, 1799”. Yes, ten years AFTER the U.S. Constitution was effective March 4, 1789: We the People of the United States. Sir, and you better know this than me because of your career: We the People are not united. In my opinion, the (borrowing the movie title) “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of History has to be taught. The “Ben Yorks”, and countless other Americans, or not Americans need to be brought forward. How this will be done, I have no clue. Lastly, sometimes I wonder if this was the kind of “air” that Americans were breathing before the Civil War? Once, again, thank you for listening!
I agree with Lisa O. about Democrats messaging. I was involved, years ago, when a few parents didn't want individualism taught in the school. It's often, just a few vocal people encouraged by radicals. I think Democrats, in general, need to start raising their voices and pointing out the lies.