Hi Jeff - I was thinking about you lately - you once told me that educational materials were curated based on local preferences for what was taught. (My words). With that ringing in my ears, I heard/read someone say that we need to bring back Civics lessons. While I agree with that, the question I have is what that content will consist of? I naively believed that history was history. I'm doubting that these days.
“History is written by the victors.” The quote gets attributed to Winston Churchill.
I recently saw an AI-generated pictorial essay of what the Mona Lisa would have looked like if painted by_______. (Insert some famous artists.) Her image was there, but the presentations were wildly different. That's historical writing.
The current rogue's gallery wants to paint our history as a "shining city on a hill." (Reagan made that expression famous in his Farewell Address.) Good teachers, as I said in my essay, will stay true to their profession and include the detritus left in the wake of our glorious past.
I taught Civics back in the day. It covered the three branches of government and our responsibilities as citizens. If I were teaching it today, I would add the responsibility of "discernment." Clearly, too many Americans find "truth" in 280 characters. They don't question what they read. Instead, they just keep scrolling.
I find myself frustrated because people who are intelligent don't want to know anything - don't even read the 280 characters. They think things are going to keep going in their happy place. Maybe they are and I'm just being an alarmist. But it is those people that scare me more than those in power.
And, while we feel like we are shoveling sand against the tide I hold fast to this: the tide does turn.
Meanwhile, "In our darkest moments, we don't need solutions or advice. What we yearn for is simply human connection—a quiet presence, a gentle touch. These small gestures are the anchors that hold us steady when life feels like too much." [Ernest Hemingway]
Today is Valentine's Day! Don't just stand there; LOVE somebody!
And then resume the battle against evil because while we cannot eradicate it perhaps we can transform it.
Jeff, your perspective is both thoughtful and compelling, especially given your experience as a history teacher navigating the complexities of our nation's story. I appreciate your concern about balancing aspirational principles with an honest reckoning of past failures—this tension is crucial for fostering critical thinking and genuine patriotism. It’s intriguing how you connect this debate to the practical realities of teaching in diverse communities where students already grapple with systemic inequities.
Hi Jeff - I was thinking about you lately - you once told me that educational materials were curated based on local preferences for what was taught. (My words). With that ringing in my ears, I heard/read someone say that we need to bring back Civics lessons. While I agree with that, the question I have is what that content will consist of? I naively believed that history was history. I'm doubting that these days.
“History is written by the victors.” The quote gets attributed to Winston Churchill.
I recently saw an AI-generated pictorial essay of what the Mona Lisa would have looked like if painted by_______. (Insert some famous artists.) Her image was there, but the presentations were wildly different. That's historical writing.
The current rogue's gallery wants to paint our history as a "shining city on a hill." (Reagan made that expression famous in his Farewell Address.) Good teachers, as I said in my essay, will stay true to their profession and include the detritus left in the wake of our glorious past.
I taught Civics back in the day. It covered the three branches of government and our responsibilities as citizens. If I were teaching it today, I would add the responsibility of "discernment." Clearly, too many Americans find "truth" in 280 characters. They don't question what they read. Instead, they just keep scrolling.
I find myself frustrated because people who are intelligent don't want to know anything - don't even read the 280 characters. They think things are going to keep going in their happy place. Maybe they are and I'm just being an alarmist. But it is those people that scare me more than those in power.
I hear you. I think some of the public's reaction is a feeling of helplessness. What can "I" do to impact this nightmare?
And, while we feel like we are shoveling sand against the tide I hold fast to this: the tide does turn.
Meanwhile, "In our darkest moments, we don't need solutions or advice. What we yearn for is simply human connection—a quiet presence, a gentle touch. These small gestures are the anchors that hold us steady when life feels like too much." [Ernest Hemingway]
Today is Valentine's Day! Don't just stand there; LOVE somebody!
And then resume the battle against evil because while we cannot eradicate it perhaps we can transform it.
Jeff, your perspective is both thoughtful and compelling, especially given your experience as a history teacher navigating the complexities of our nation's story. I appreciate your concern about balancing aspirational principles with an honest reckoning of past failures—this tension is crucial for fostering critical thinking and genuine patriotism. It’s intriguing how you connect this debate to the practical realities of teaching in diverse communities where students already grapple with systemic inequities.
Thanks for reading and responding, Dennis.
This is a great place for you to write from. Your unique perspective as a history teacher in diverse classrooms is so important.
Thank you, Cindy.