As previously noted on this blog, how we teach our children history is very much a product of our own world view. For nearly 40 years that world view has been, in my opinion, clouded by the post-Vietnam baby boomer angst and need to apologize to every minority group in reach.
For better or for worse, until the late 19th to early 20th century, women, blacks, Hispanics, gay, lesbians...and whoever did not really play a significant role in the political, military, or economic history of this country. One may debate the reasons for this, but the essential fact seems pretty clear to me.
SO, when the Texas Board of Education approved some "corrections" to their state curriculm to tamp down the baby boomer angst, the reaction was pretty much pre-ordained. I mean, are two different article.
New standards in history class: Texas board endorses conservative-backed curriculum
Now, I wonder what they would have said if these new standards had been created by the ACLU, SEIU, NOW and La Raza? Hmmm.
Here's what that paragon of journalistic integrity, the New York Times, had to say.
Texas Conservatives Win Curriculum Change
Ditto for the above statement. But if you actually read the articles, here are the "radical changes"
Here's another one:
Now, I read the books proposed for Fairfax County a couple of years ago and I was mildly appalled. I mean they looked like Richard Scary books...you know lots of pictures to keep the kiddies entertained. Historically, they were like a piece of Meringue, not much substance, and there was more space devoted to the Clinton Impeachment than to Ronald Reagan's entire Presidency.
In summary, I heartily applaued the Texas Board of Education...I think texts should be limited all together...READ THE BASIC BOOKS...how about the Constitution, some biographies...after all, pretty soon we're gonna give students Kindles, and then we won't have to worry about the whole cost of books issue...then maybe we can get down to basics and force, {ooo, dare I use that word} students to read primary source materials.
hmmm...thinking...hmmm, there's a concept.
For better or for worse, until the late 19th to early 20th century, women, blacks, Hispanics, gay, lesbians...and whoever did not really play a significant role in the political, military, or economic history of this country. One may debate the reasons for this, but the essential fact seems pretty clear to me.
SO, when the Texas Board of Education approved some "corrections" to their state curriculm to tamp down the baby boomer angst, the reaction was pretty much pre-ordained. I mean, are two different article.
New standards in history class: Texas board endorses conservative-backed curriculum
Now, I wonder what they would have said if these new standards had been created by the ACLU, SEIU, NOW and La Raza? Hmmm.
Here's what that paragon of journalistic integrity, the New York Times, had to say.
Texas Conservatives Win Curriculum Change
Ditto for the above statement. But if you actually read the articles, here are the "radical changes"
Seriously, Tin Pan Alley??, rock and roll? How about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson???
Experts had recommended students study the impact of cultural movements in art, music and literature, such as Tin Pan Alley, the Beat Generation, rock and roll, the Chicano Mural Movement, country-western music and hip-hop. The board's seven social conservatives, joined by Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, R-Dallas, considered some of the hip-hop lyrics offensive and voted to eliminate hip-hop as an option for students to consider.
Here's another one:
They also included a plank to ensure that students learn about “the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s, including Phyllis Schlafly, the Contract With America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority and the National Rifle Association.”Okay, it seems to me if we should pound our students with the New Deal and Great Society, a little more fair and balance would require studying great Republican conservative political movements too, right?
Dr. McLeroy, a dentist by training, pushed through a change to the teaching of the civil rights movement to ensure that students study the violent philosophy of the Black Panthers in addition to the nonviolent approach of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also made sure that textbooks would mention the votes in Congress on civil rights legislation, which Republicans supported.
“Republicans need a little credit for that,” he said. “I think it’s going to surprise some students.”
Mr. Bradley won approval for an amendment saying students should study “the unintended consequences” of the Great Society legislation, affirmative action and Title IX legislation. He also won approval for an amendment stressing that Germans and Italians as well as Japanese were interned in the United States during World War II, to counter the idea that the internment of Japanese was motivated by racism.
Now, I read the books proposed for Fairfax County a couple of years ago and I was mildly appalled. I mean they looked like Richard Scary books...you know lots of pictures to keep the kiddies entertained. Historically, they were like a piece of Meringue, not much substance, and there was more space devoted to the Clinton Impeachment than to Ronald Reagan's entire Presidency.
In summary, I heartily applaued the Texas Board of Education...I think texts should be limited all together...READ THE BASIC BOOKS...how about the Constitution, some biographies...after all, pretty soon we're gonna give students Kindles, and then we won't have to worry about the whole cost of books issue...then maybe we can get down to basics and force, {ooo, dare I use that word} students to read primary source materials.
hmmm...thinking...hmmm, there's a concept.
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