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[orangerful]

Facing Facts: American Identity is Based on Alternative History

This is a short and sweet blog post but I have to say it really gets to the core of where so many of our (meaning American) identity issues arise. We are taught that history was made by benevolent straight, white men and everything was done out of goodness and if it wasn't (like slavery) well it was punished and now everyone gets along. After a law was passed, everyone followed it and no one was ever treated poorly again.

(This is also a test to see if LJ cross-posting works)

Comments

[brunettepet]

The whitewashed version of America's history we were all taught in school colors the way we look at ourselves and the world every day.

[colls]

That post reminds me of the "Lies my teacher told me..." books.

[alix]

Thanks for linking that. I regret, now, how most of the history books I read growing up fell into this trap. I wish they'd been more truthful.

[yourlibrarian]

Given how much of a battle any historical facts are it surprises me history textbooks ever get published. Not that other fields can't have their controversies but this area is a major flashpoint.