Posted on 03/30/2006 8:23:28 AM PST by rhema
To their credit, some teachers teach it, following the exhortation of Walter McDougall's The Three Reasons We Must Teach History, whose first few paragraphs follow:
“If we act only for ourselves," wrote Samuel Johnson, "to neglect the study of history is not prudent. If we are entrusted with the care of others of others it is not just."
"Prudence" and "justice" are often two words conspicuous by their absence in our otherwise verbose debates on how, why, and what to teach to American children. The infamous National Standards for History, for instance, were criticized from many perspectives, but to my knowledge I was the only reviewer to question the strength of those Standards as well as their weakness. I found them altogether too inclusive, demanding, and sophisticated for high school teachers and students. For instance, I considered the Standards' repeated invitations to debunk the sainted image of Woodrow Wilson entirely legitimate, but asked whether "it is wise to teach grade-schoolers that Wilson was foolish or hypocritical to proclaim democracy, disarmament, self-determination, free trade, and a League of Nations to a war-ravaged world?" A college seminar should take a critical stance toward the icons of American history. But is it prudent to turn 11th graders into cynics with regard to the values their nation holds dear?
Some professional teacher organizations, notably The Association of American Educators, are making the effort. The article in my previous post is from the Association's website.
Thanks for that. I'll look at the site later!
BTTT!
Very good point!
I've been away for the last few days.
I am really looking forward to seeing what you've come up with lately.
It's always good. ;o)
LOL, wonder if people notice the fizzling fuse??
Well, all that was controlled immigration for the most part. And most of those wanted to be Americans, for the opportunity and the freedom America provided. Holding to your roots is not a bad thing. They learned english, kept thier own language, took on new holidays and kept thier old ones.
What we have now is a hostile foriegn nation goverened by a narco-kleptocracy encouraging its dregs to come here illegally, assisting them with maps....it's army provides cover for narcotics smugglers, human smugglers, weapon smugglers. And these people don't want to assimilate, they want reconquista.
If you cannot see the difference then you're blind.
It's going to get ugly if some of the views here on FR are any indication.
Keep your powder dry.
Yeah, I'll tell you what, those strawberry pickers scare the heck out of me. Thanks for your illumination and wisdom.
bfl
A Hollywood that promoted and exported her vision of a golden America would be a huge help.
You're going overboard. It's certainly arguable that her writing has been a bit weak, of late.
This piece certainly reverses that. Required reading.
Moral clarity nominee.
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