Wednesday, December 9, 2009

* Continue the lies?


                                  Howard Zinn

Already the vultures are coming out of the woodwork criticizing "Voices of A People's History of the United States," a documentary to be aired Dec 13th (see my previous post). Seems Patrick Courrielche, who appears on FOX news, "O'Reilly Factor," "Glenn Beck," etc, has some harsh words for Howard Zinn, a world renowned author, professor and American historian. Courrielche says Zinn wants to "change the way our pre-K through high school children learn American history. His current curriculum suggestions, like introducing three-years olds to the lynching of African Americans, or quizzing seven-year olds on which Presidents owned slaves, should be a red flag to parents." 


Most of the responses to Courrielche's article agreed with him. Here is an example:  


"Schools should only teach the good about America so children will love their country and be happy to support the government by following all laws, paying taxes, and fighting for their Nation. Some of the good lessons my generation learned were about George Washington's honesty, For example, when he chopped down the cherry tree, he told his father because he could not tell a lie. Also, lessons should be taught about our other Great Presidents like Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, etc. to engender patriotism and feelings of national pride into our children. What some consider negative elements of American history (things like slavery or treatment of Indians) should be ignored so children do not develop negative feelings about our Homeland., That is the way to make America a Great Nation once more." 



My thoughts: No wonder it was too easy to manipulate the majority of Amercians to support an illegal Iraqi war. Americans LOVE "feel good" lies. By the way, Little George Washington's story about the cherry tree... it didn't happen. The story was posthumously circulated by his admirers. Another example...we celebrate Columbus Day because we are taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America. But actually Leifr Eiriksson discovered North America. There are MANY examples of American history being biased and skewed. Wouldn't it be better to just be taught the truth in the first place instead of the continued waddling in ignorance? 


Kids to meet Marx in school

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