History Teachers, Textbooks And Racism - 1633 Words

A Whitewashed History: Teachers, Textbooks and Racism. Textbooks can be wrong. Is it possible that watching the History Channel could be more informative than the average High School History class? Alia Wong points out in her article History Class and the Fictions about Race in America the topics of underqualified teachers, inaccurate textbooks and the inefficacy of history being taught at all grade levels. I, myself, can attest to this statement having been taught history by a teacher who taught from an extremely outdated textbook. I taught myself by quietly reading in every class. The way we teach history to our children is lacking a few fundamental truths that are essential to American history and how we teach it that underplays†¦show more content†¦When you present the institution of slavery as â€Å"workers† you are sugar coating or brushing off the brutality of slavery and racism. Presenting them as other than a group of people who were brought here against thei r will, who had to endure the most barbaric, inhumane and torturous enslavement of their kind. How is this lack of accurate representation of slavery and White Supremacy ok to leave out of our History textbooks? I agree with Wong that textbook company publishers tend to â€Å"mystify† the reason why the south seceded. Largely because â€Å"they don’t want to offend school districts and lose sales†. When you have textbook companies not wanting to really emphasize that racism, slavery and White Supremacy in the south during the 1800s was one of the biggest and most prominent parts of why the Civil War started, rather they emphasize that it was about States’ Rights, and that’s the reason why the south seceded. Not that it was about the preservation of slavery. With textbooks like this you get 41% of Americans believing the cause of the Civil War was not slavery, where as the other 54% believe it is about slavery, from a recent national poll from Histo ry Class and the Fictions about Race in America. When you get these types of numbers one must think what does the â€Å"mystification† or the whitewashing of history do to us as a society? When you underplay racismShow MoreRelated Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen Essay example1439 Words   |  6 PagesJames Loewen wrote the book ?Lies My Teacher Told ME? to help the students of the United States become aware of their true history. This book attempts to show how and why American history has been taught the way it has without regard for the truth. Mr. Loewen had compared twelve different history textbooks they are: The Great Republic, The American Way, Land of Promise, Rise of the American Nation, Challenge of Freedom, American Adventures, Discovering American History, The American Tradition, Life andRead MoreEssay on Lies My Teacher Told Me910 Words   |  4 Pages All history comes with contradictions. With every moment in history comes a corresponding moment which c an take the accuracy and understanding and change them forever. Throughout time people add small pieces of information to great events in our past. This is where we get the misinterpretation of history. In chapter five of the book Lies My Teacher Told Me, these contradictions are brought into light and force us to look at them again. As I have learned in my history courses we can always questionRead MoreIn James Loewen’S Book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, He Talks1011 Words   |  5 PagesIn James Loewen’s book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, he talks about misconceptions in America school textbooks. Are these actually misconceptions though? What is the author saying about American history when details or whole event are untold? Lowen delves into these deep topics head on and gives examples as he goes. This book is not only intended for those who have read an American history book, but for those who have never heard the truth. Lowen wrote this book in order to uncover and educ ate; furthermoreRead MoreI Have Long Advocated For Social Equality1313 Words   |  6 Pagesbeen aware of the prevalence of racism. However, my forethought now seems insignificant compared to the degree of racism that James W. Loewen suggests is indoctrinating the minds and classrooms of America’s youth. Loewen takes readers on an enlightening journey through his book, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, that intends to expose the false claims and lack of information in standard American high school history textbooks. He aims to set the record straightRead MoreThe Prevalence Of Racism On America s Youth1336 Words   |  6 Pageshave been aware of the prevalence of racism. However, my forethought now seems insignificant compared to the degree of racism that James W. Loewen suggests is indoctrinating the minds of America’s youth. Loewen takes readers on an enlightening journey through his book, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everythi ng Your American History Textbook Got Wrong. The book intends to expose the false claims and lack of information in standard American high school history textbooks. He aims to correct the stigma behindRead MorePatriotism And Racism Essay1412 Words   |  6 PagesPatriotism in history class can and does contribute acts of racism in our society. By not covering the histories of oppressed people in depth and with the respect it deserves, those who are privileged do not understand what is happening when they see minorities protesting injustice or advocating for civil rights. This leads to feelings of anger and hate towards minorities, and even acts of retaliation. Racism has always been an issue in American society, but perhaps today it is more importantRead MoreEducation and Racism Essay791 Words   |  4 PagesEducation and Racism If teachers across America would arise and make the personal commitment to do something about racism, beginning with their own selves, their eventual impact would, I believe, be tremendous (Hacker 191). It is time to take action. Not only in our own lives, but in the lives of the children. There has been attempts, there has been success, and there has been failure. Many people have ways in which they believe will help reduce racism. But which is the right wayRead MoreHistory Is Almost Always Written By The Winners1393 Words   |  6 PagesHistory is almost always written by the winners. As a result, the details of pivotal historical events are often washed as to prevent the dirty, less flattering details to rise to the surface. It is why we need books such as â€Å"Lies My Teacher Told Me.† by James W. Loewen to uncover and expose the propogandic style teachings of high school textbooks. In his book, he has detailed his writings that are intended to elicit a thought-provoking question- is our curriculum geared toward immortalizing theRead MoreAmerican History And Its Lack Of Information Essay1373 Words   |  6 Pageswithout the truthful information given to itâ €™s future generations, America will degenerate. Because of author bias, text book selectivity, lies such as racism, uncaring consumers, and universities’ incorrect focus, there is a generation that will grow uniformed which will leave them hopeless in contributing or making a life for their own. American history is flawed due to bias of historical events, and it is because of this bias that students grow up uninformed of America’s past. How are people supposedRead MoreThe Between Teachers And Their Students During History Classrooms Nationwide1575 Words   |  7 PagesThere is a major disconnect occurring between teachers and their students in history classrooms nationwide. The main themes of United States history like freedom and liberty are individual to each person as well as each culture and ethnicity. This is an issue in the classroom because 92% of teachers are white while 80% are female. These predominantly white, female educators are attempting to teach a subject that is largely malleable among cultural and ethnic groups to a student population that is