History is a Story
History is the collective story we weave from as many — or as few — perspectives as we see fit.
My stomach actually dropped when I read this sentence last night:
Trump plans to create a “National Commission to Promote Patriotic Education.”
Anyone who thinks this sounds reasonable? Is. Part. Of. The. Problem.
Anyone who thinks teaching diverse perspectives of historical events is “indoctrination” and “propaganda” but believes teaching a one-sided history of an infallible America is not the actual definition of those very things? Is. Part. Of. The. Problem.
What is education?
It is building on the knowledge of the past to create a solid springboard for future knowledge.
For the most part, knowledge of math and science progresses in a straightforward manner (though not without its deniers, for sure). Discoveries are made, our knowledge expands, we build upon it.
History, however, will always be biased. History is a story. It is the collective story we weave from as many — or as few — perspectives as we see fit.
