This
is a question we find ourselves asking often as we seek partners for our much
needed social studies programs. Many on the democratic left, almost shy away
from initiatives that seek to promote the teaching of history in our schools,
considering it to be the sole preserve of the republican right; almost as if
that particular political opportunity has been lost to them-hijacked to be more
precise. And now any teaching that seeks to honor American heroes save for the
great men and women of the civil rights movement, or the abolitionists, is
practically taboo. Who will suffer most as a consequence of this
thinking?
It's
our children and the nation that we will leave in their hands, who will pay the
price for shortsightedness and political insecurity.
This
cannot be the right path to take as we head into challenging times. Our
history, the good and the bad, is an inclusive history, which belongs to each
and every American. Yes, we are fond of talking about fashionable subjects such
as reflective democracy, but surely
we first need to teach our children the very meaning of democracy. We need to
illustrate the myriad examples of how our democracy; imperfect as it may be,
came into existence. They need to hear of the blood that was spilled to
preserve it and how Americans rose up to aid in the fight against the very
antithesis of democracy, totalitarianism.
Surely
history is a subject that should be close to the heart of every American. No
matter which side of the political divide we occupy, we should ensure that our
children are well informed and that our teachers have the materials and the
support to make it happen.
No
one can lay claim exclusively to our history. It belongs to all of us, and we
must rise above partisan politics to ensure that we do not become a nation,
which blindly ambles into an uncertain future, unaware of the events of the
past, but hopeful the mantra of in
ignorance we trust, will get us by.
Livingbattlefield of SC 501(c)3
If you would like to know more about our classroom programs please write to richard@livingbattlefield.org
