The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

The twisting of American history

Once again, we’re being subjected to lectures about how Americans are ignorant of their nation’s history of slavery. As if it is being ignored intentionally because white Americans hate black Americans. Among the charges is the assertion that the history of slavery has been “erased” from American history.

Appearing in the Washington Post was this accusation: “Teaching America’s truth: For generations, children have been spared the whole, terrible reality about slavery’s place in U.S. history, but some schools are beginning to strip away the deception and evasions.”

It is why, just four years ago, textbooks told students “workers” were brought from Africa to America, not men, women and children in chains. It is why, last year, a teacher asked students to list “positive” aspects of slavery. It is why, even in 2019, there are teachers in schools who still think holding mock auctions is a good way for students to learn about slavery. Misinformation and flawed teaching about America’s “original sin” fills our classrooms from an early age.

So, whose fault is that?

That’s not what I was taught about slavery as a youngster in the 1940s and ’50s. It was described in all of its horrific detail. In the eighth grade, I remember reading about the Underground Railroad. And about black Americans and their suffering in the Landmark historical series for young minds.

I went to Catholic schools, so maybe that explains why it was taught as a moral issue. Maybe they didn’t teach it in the public schools then, but I doubt that it was ignored.

If the history of slavery is as ignored as Black Lives Matter and others assert, then the fault lies with the teachers and the education establishment, controlled as it is by Left wing thinking. The curriculum is their creation. What they teach in the classroom is their prerogative. No one is directing them to avoid or discount slavery.

This shouldn’t surprise anyone. History has gotten short shrift for years in public schools. Young people who are emerging today in the exercise of their citizenship (i.e. voting, protesting or rioting) are alarmingly ignorant of American and world history. And now the error is being compounded as the Far Leftist interpretation is being adopted in lesson plans across the county.

Parents, it’s time to take control away from these ideologues who are more interested in creating Left wing disciples than in teaching history objectively and with academic rigor. Review what your children are being taught and stand up to the zealots.