Precious Knowledge

Even though America claims that it is a diverse country, they fail to include diverse people in US history master narratives. According to Dr. Wills, a Master Narrative dominates an overarching template that presents history. The Master Narrative has made a few alterations over the past years to who is

“The world’s greatest problems do not result from people being unable to read and write. They result from people in the world-from different cultures, races, religions, and nations-being unable to get along and to work together to solve the world’s problems.” These statements by James A. Banks have made

Ethnic Studies is a course that offers minority students the chance to learn history from an “alternate Perspective” that is not to say that ethnic studies teaches kids radical, or extreme ideas, but rather teaches them about the unsung heroes of history which are easily forgotten in modern day History courses. It Allows students to discover their true identity and reconnect with their culture. However, some people don’t see it that way. Their are those who oppose the implementation of this course into public schools, Mostly Conservative Republicans. Critics of the course claim It promotes “racial separation”, “linguistic isolation”, and “racial preference.” Others will also claim the course is to “emotionally charged”, and influences kids to rebel against the government, essentially turning them into Anarchists.

In James Loewen’s book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, he talks about misconceptions in America school textbooks. Are these actually misconceptions though? What is the author saying about American history when details or whole event are untold? Lowen delves into these deep topics head on and gives examples as he goes. This book is not only intended for those who have read an American history book, but for those who have never heard the truth. Lowen wrote this book in order to uncover and educate; furthermore, this is important because events never told are now brought to light. Using detailed information concerning racism, governmental over watch, and the Vietnam War the author argues that the American history textbook has covered up things in

Mexican-American history is overwhelmed with rich culture and vast experiences. The struggles and challenges this diverse group of people possessed throughout time to bring about change prove important to the history of the world in many aspects and regards. Whether or not to teach Mexican-American history in classrooms throughout the

I have always advocated for social equality and have been aware of the prevalence of racism. However, my forethought now seems insignificant compared to the degree of racism that James W. Loewen suggests is indoctrinating the minds of America’s youth. Loewen takes readers on an enlightening journey through his book, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong. The book intends to expose the false claims and lack of information in standard American high school history textbooks. He aims to correct the stigma behind how and why American history is so misrepresented and why it is important to represent history accurately and not limitedly. He proposes a few ways in which we can reform the teaching of history as well. Throughout the book, he largely focuses on the shortcomings or outright fallacies of historical textbooks in regards to racism, government, colonialism, and patriotism. Loewen serves this book to bring about institutional change where he feels that it is needed and to stress the importance of factual historical information and realpolitik. He displays vast amounts of logical and thoroughly descriptive anecdotes and facts, however, the scrambled organization of his topics, and his clear devotion and passion for the theme of social justice and anti-racism present the problem of bombardment. Furthermore, he does not appeal to his suggested audience in an adequate rhetorical manner that is consistent with his declared purpose of the

Over time, people have evolved and grown into kinder and more accepting people, tolerant of all religions, races, sexual orientations, etc. In this age, younger children have grown up in these welcoming environments, not knowing what life was like in a much crueler time. Though books that teach children what it was like to live in a time of racism and unwelcoming, a considerable number of schools have deprived children of the opportunity to learn about what life was like decades ago, upsetting even the authors of the books.

In a New York Times article, Jennifer Harvey responds to the question, “Are We Raising Racists?” This article gives feedback on how we should raise the next generation but, the author of this article clarifies that she is not the perfect parent and merely gives suggestions for people to follow. Various themes in the article that related to what we learned in class. The first theme was one of the five fallacies of racism, ahistorical fallacy. The author introduces this theme when she revealed to her daughter that George Washington owned black slaves even though he was recognized as a great leader in history. The daughter questions why we celebrate a slave owner as a great man. Ahistorical fallacy is a biased view on history and omits significant

Those who are patriotic proud Americans, would love to believe that their government and criminal justice system is fair and equal in every way. Even when one learns about the government at a young age in public school, they are told from a whitewashed Eurocentric male point of view that those who make the laws and run the government (who are white men), do it for the greater good of the American people, that they honor fairness/equality, and fought for the freedom of all Americans. However, when one actually researches deeper to look at the entirety of the founding fathers lifestyles, and what the American government was built upon, racism comes into play and has yet to leave. Although this dark history is pushed aside in whitewashed history books, and is rarely discussed when talking about the founding fathers actions, it is still extremely important. Racism and chattel slavery has a unique history within America, since the after effects are still lingering in laws, and within people minds who have passed down such racist ideas to their children who carry the same rhetoric, racism has never died. Today we have a society as a whole that in order to please whiteness, all else deemed other/marked as nonwhite receives negative treatment. This perceived white superiority doesn’t exist without using blackness and anything else nonwhite as inferior. If it were scientifically true, that whites and anything light was indeed better/above blackness, it wouldn’t need to be taught if

In this article, a teacher is acknowledging how difficult it can be to create a classroom that is antiracist; the author states that it is not enough to say everyone is equal, if there is not equal representation. One way to have equal representation is to include lessons that cover people of color in history. As stated before, some assumptions are born from a lack of knowledge; it is the educator’s job to have an inclusive education that showcases the important contributions of people of color, and to show that their history is a rich as other cultures. African Americans and other children in the minority do have a history, but theirs is not often taught as apart of the main curriculum. This lack of curriculum not only put children of color at a disadvantage but it also puts those in the majority at a disadvantage as well. It is also showing children that they are not equal if the educator ignores prejudices or racist remarks. “…dismissing or ignoring negative remarks confuses students and sends them the message that the teacher doesn't really believe their stated view that everyone is equal” (Tenorio, p.

As a child, I moved from Egypt. My race was different than other kids in school, I was a minority. I experienced a whole new culture as a child. Dealing with other students that had different culture bases affected the way I think about race. Moving from Egypt built an

Our nation’s history plays an important role in American society, it sets forth the foundation on which our morals and values are based on as Americans. If we truly are one united nation under God, and our morals and values are based on what history tells us, why is it then that there is so much disparity among the American people. One reason is that our history textbooks and what we are taught by educational leaders only emphasize American Exceptionalism. The history of our nation is not fully disclosed, it omits the nasty and ugly parts. It is time that the U.S. let their skeletons out of the closet, the truth needs to be told no matter how ugly or nasty it is. The period in history known as the Nadir of Race relations, 1890 through the1960’s between whites and blacks is a prime example of American Exceptionalism.

Resistance to change. Over the course of their careers, teachers encounter many iterations of educational change. In recent years, standards-based reform movements have led to an increase in the number of change initiatives faced by teachers and schools, while at the same time, the movement toward standards-based accountability systems has increased the pressure on teachers to demonstrate compliance with these reforms (Hargreaves, 1994). The result has been that many teachers are overwhelmed by the constant upheaval created by wave after wave of simultaneous initiatives for change. It is unsurprising, therefore, that teachers associate educational change with externally-mandated initiatives over which they have no control, and that teachers’

What is race and ethnicity? Can racial conflicts be eliminated by education? Can there be a time where one’s colour or background did not matter? Every modern day society faces racial conflicts. Humans are equal, whether they are white or black, etc. Hatred among different racial groups is common in out modern day society. Ignorance of the equality of every human causes racism. Humans need laws to follow and the lack of these laws cause conflict between humans. Erin Gruwell was optimistic about teaching a class of so many different backgrounds but it was much more challenging to get through to such angry teenagers. Racial conflicts in America include gang violence, and even murder. The Freedom Writers movie gives a clear description of the

Through my research into the reform of education, I have had my eyes open to some of the most terrifying and most positive potential change that my future may hold. With my upbringing, I was taught in some of the best schools in St. Tammany Parish. The teachers were always there for you and your needs, the facilities were kept clean and safe, and the neighborhood I grew up in was actually pretty good. I have seen the school system through the eyes of a student, but now I am beginning to look at it as a future educator. Michelle Rhee is the Chancellor for Washington’s District of Columbia, and her task was to turn the school system on its head to improve student achievement. She has several years experience in dealing with the school system in its entirety, many do not believe in her methods. One person that is completely against her is Diane Ravitch, a woman who has served as the United States Assistant Secretary of Education in her past, and is currently working as a research professor at New York University 's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Ravitch has also been working as a historian of education and an educational policy analyst. I believe it is safe to say that she knows a thing or two about education in our country. The main question is, where do we begin to reform our poorly organized school system and how do teacher’s statuses play a role in the middle?