"If you truly want students to take an interest in American history, then stop lying to
them" - From Lies My Teacher Told Me: Young Readers' Edition
"Over the last several months, officials nationwide have raced to enact new laws and
introduce new policies meant to shape how students discuss the nation’s past — and
its present.
Many of these efforts have attempted to ban critical race theory, the academic
framework that examines how policies and the law perpetuate systemic racism. In
In other states, lawmakers have tried to restrict specific kinds of antiracism training
or the teaching of “divisive” concepts. The picture is varied, though, and other states
are adding ethnic studies courses or incorporating more about people of color into
their learning standards."
For teachers, parents, and everyone invested in education that is factual - and therefore inclusive of commendable aspects, condemnable aspects, and perspectives of people across the social identity spectrum - it's crucial to be aware of the Machiavellian efforts proliferating across the country to deny children opportunities to learn full and factual accounts of history and social dynamics.
Two reports by Chalkbeat* provide useful information and insight about what is happening and how we got here.
If you are an educator, are you facilitating opportunities for your students to (1) learn the truth about the history (past and unfolding) of this country, and (2) about the battles being fought over what they should and should not learn about past and present issues related to how this country came to be, its current state, and its possible future? If the answer to either question is no, how will you fulfill your duty not to teach lies (whether by commission or omission)?
*Mediabiasfactcheck.com rates Chalkbeat as follows:
Overall, we rate Chalkbeat Left-Center biased based on advocacy and editorial
positions that align with a liberal perspective. We also rate them High for factual
reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record.
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