1 Last Question

[Koffy Brown]

Should we teach kids today about certain aspects of American history (in particularly slavery), or should we allow them to move on with their lives?

I ask this because it was bought to my intention in a class one day by an African Professor I had that kids in Africa can go about their lives without the knowledge of Apartheid...although they lived in the aftermath on a daily basis

[ April 08, 2003, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: Ashaki ]

[Bill Blake]

Just what the hell would be the point of having an American History class if you didnt teach American history, i.e. Slavery?

Jesus

[GROOVE VICTIM]

We shouldn't place our children in a world of repetitive doom.

[larry rauson]

Originally posted by Ashaki:
Should we teach kids today about certain aspects of American history (in particularly slavery), or should we allow them to move on with their lives?

I ask this because it was bought to my intention in a class one day by an African Professor I had that kids in Africa can go about their lives without the knowledge of Apartheid...although they lived in the aftermath on a daily basis Kids in Africa can go through school without knowing much about anything about anything, much less Africa's place in world history. Kids in America should be, and I must say the lid is starting to come off slightly, all of American history, starting with European feudalism, and the revolters against the catholic church, cuz it is there that you find the true idealogical roots of America.

Larry

[Koffy Brown]

Originally posted by GROOVE VICTIM:
We shouldn't place our children in a world of repetitive doom. so you think that we shouldn't

[Koffy Brown]

Originally posted by larry rauson:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Ashaki:
Should we teach kids today about certain aspects of American history (in particularly slavery), or should we allow them to move on with their lives?

I ask this because it was bought to my intention in a class one day by an African Professor I had that kids in Africa can go about their lives without the knowledge of Apartheid...although they lived in the aftermath on a daily basis Kids in Africa can go through school without knowing much about anything about anything, much less Africa's place in world history. Kids in America should be, and I must say the lid is starting to come off slightly, all of American history, starting with European feudalism, and the revolters against the catholic church, cuz it is there that you find the true idealogical roots of America.

Larry </font>[/QUOTE]interesting...

['Magic' Juan]

If you don't learn your past, you are bound to repeat it.

magic_juan

[GROOVE VICTIM]

Our children need to know american history, and they must be taught that there are other alternatives other than "school", such as their local library, mentors, older people in their communities, the internet, etc. from which they can learn.

From my own personal experience, I said something to a friend back in jr high that I regret to this day. He told me that the traffic light was created by a black man. What did I say, well I told him that we weren't smart enough to do things like that.

If that's not a wake up call, then I don't know what is.

Peace

[And]

Kids in Africa can go through school without knowing much about anything about anything, much less Africa's place in world history. Kids in America should be, LarryWhat do you mean by this?

[ April 08, 2003, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: 6 23 ]

[larry rauson]

Africans are so deluded by colonialism, that very little of their own history can be taught, cuz they feel that the history of Africa is the history of the colonial powers.

Larry

[Fletch]

We should teach them ALL aspects of American (and World) History. What's so sad is that there is more information then ever before (internet, 24 hour news channels, C-SPAN, History Channel), and kids are becoming dumber. Still don't get that paradox. Peace.

[And]

Originally posted by larry rauson:
Africans are so deluded by colonialism, that very little of their own history can be taught, cuz they feel that the history of Africa is the history of the colonial powers.

Larry Nice work on the generalization there.
Then again, what really is American history anyway?

[Leslie]

I defer to the "American Hater's" thread by none other than the very learned Basecore Boy.....and rest my case.....

[GROOVE VICTIM]

All praises due to Leslie!!

[Ron la Rock]

Originally posted by einnod23:
We should teach them ALL aspects of American (and World) History. What's so sad is that there is more information then ever before (internet, 24 hour news channels, C-SPAN, History Channel), and kids are becoming dumber. Still don't get that paradox. Peace. yes some kids still can't read or write but will bu your ass in any videogame going the real problem is the industrial education system has not evolved in the world these kids live in now the xtreme fast digital age
as far as the orginal question
american schools need 2 teach american history all aspect of it without a doubt

[ April 08, 2003, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: Ron paizley ]

[And]

Originally posted by Leslie:
I defer to the "American Hater's" thread by none other than the very learned Basecore Boy.....and rest my case..... In reference to my comment?
Please explain.

[Leslie]

Originally posted by 6 23:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Leslie:
I defer to the "American Hater's" thread by none other than the very learned Basecore Boy.....and rest my case..... In reference to my comment?
Please explain. </font>[/QUOTE]It wasn't to your comment directly, it was to the whole issue of teaching history to children. If you read that thread, if you can stomach it after a while, you'll see that what I'm talking about.

[nev m]

Originally posted by Ashaki:
Should we teach kids today about certain aspects of American history (in particularly slavery), or should we allow them to move on with their lives?

I ask this because it was bought to my intention in a class one day by an African Professor I had that kids in Africa can go about their lives without the knowledge of Apartheid...although they lived in the aftermath on a daily basis They should definately be educated, and made to realize the flaws in their own history, and development. That's what historys all about.

Also I feel that fictional literature pre, and post slavery should be used reading/literature lessons e.g. Uncle Toms Cabin. Then at least this will give them the opportunity to see things have changed (albeit far from perfect).

If sheltered from the facts they will soon see things are not perfect, and they'll ask why?, then you'll have to explain the whole shooting match anyway.

peace.

[Basecore Boy]

Originally posted by Leslie:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by 6 23:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Leslie:
I defer to the "American Hater's" thread by none other than the very learned Basecore Boy.....and rest my case..... In reference to my comment?
Please explain. </font>[/QUOTE]It wasn't to your comment directly, it was to the whole issue of teaching history to children. If you read that thread, if you can stomach it after a while, you'll see that what I'm talking about. </font>[/QUOTE]Leslie why you have to attack me here. Oh, that's right, we have some past issues.

[mhd]

nice shoes

[Basecore Boy]

Nice hair cut.

[djmarbll]

Originally posted by 6 23:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by larry rauson:
Africans are so deluded by colonialism, that very little of their own history can be taught, cuz they feel that the history of Africa is the history of the colonial powers.

Larry Nice work on the generalization there.
Then again, what really is American history anyway? </font>[/QUOTE]For the past 50 years or so, American history has been taught at the compulsory education level (K-12) with a propensity toward manufacturing patriotism. I remember in my high school history class textbook that slavery was treated like a footnote in American history, while it was one of the most dominant aspects of American history since 1619. We would often have arguments with our teacher over what really was going on. And the sad part was that she stood by whatever the textbook said. It wasn't until I got into college that I started to learn some real history from black and white professors. There's a book called "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by Robert Loewen that breaks down America's faulty teaching system in past 50 years when it comes to American history. Ironically, many of the review boards for our history books are in Texas, which makes sense why the books are so full of America's "goodwill" toward Native Americans, Africans, African-Americans, Mexicans, women, etc.


Our children have to learn about true history from a much wider perspective. I think it should be mandatory that students read books like "A Peoples' History of the United States" by Howard Zinn and Loewen's book. If students aren't taught history from a well-rounded perspective, their thoughts on other cultures will always be demeaning. That's like making a car that can only make left turns. Faulty history teaching leads to faulty thinking which leads to a faulty society.

[GROOVE VICTIM]

Originally posted by djmarbll:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by 6 23:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by larry rauson:
Africans are so deluded by colonialism, that very little of their own history can be taught, cuz they feel that the history of Africa is the history of the colonial powers.

Larry Nice work on the generalization there.
Then again, what really is American history anyway? </font>[/QUOTE]For the past 50 years or so, American history has been taught at the compulsory education level (K-12) with a propensity toward manufacturing patriotism. I remember in my high school history class textbook that slavery was treated like a footnote in American history, while it was one of the most dominant aspects of American history since 1619. We would often have arguments with our teacher over what really was going on. And the sad part was that she stood by whatever the textbook said. It wasn't until I got into college that I started to learn some real history from black and white professors. There's a book called "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by Robert Loewen that breaks down America's faulty teaching system in past 50 years when it comes to American history. Ironically, many of the review boards for our history books are in Texas, which makes sense why the books are so full of America's "goodwill" toward Native Americans, Africans, African-Americans, Mexicans, women, etc.


Our children have to learn about true history from a much wider perspective. I think it should be mandatory that students read books like "A Peoples' History of the United States" by Howard Zinn and Loewen's book. If students aren't taught history from a well-rounded perspective, their thoughts on other cultures will always be demeaning. That's like making a car that can only make left turns. Faulty history teaching leads to faulty thinking which leads to a faulty society. </font>[/QUOTE]Excellent comments Marbll!!!

Who remembers back in grade school when your class was reading about slavery and all of the white kids looked at you with this (I'm so sorry) look on their face? I look back at that time now I have to say, I wasn't taught how to overcome this feeling of anger and shame. It was more or less pushed aside because two days later we were talking about another topic in our history books.