But ethnic/gender studies programs distort history

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by David Safier
The problem with Black Studies, Hispanic Studies, Asian  Studies and Women's Studies is, they give students a distorted sense of history — or so we hear from the detractors of ethnic and gender studies programs. What we need is good old Amurican History. That tells the real story. Oh, I guess sometimes the old history books distorted and downplayed the slavery issue a wee bit but we've pretty much fixed that, and the textbooks may take on a little bit of "history is written by the winners"  bias, but hey, that's to be expected. After all, the winners are the winners. Basically, though, your standard history classes present the world as the textbook publishers want us to see it it really is.

The problem is, the idea that the history presented in school textbooks is what really happened is a distortion of the history of school textbooks. If you want to look at the epicenter of the distortion of school history, look at Texas. As in so many other areas, it has an outsized role in the way textbooks used in schools across the country present the world.

Here's the latest example of the world according to the Lone Star State. Texas is putting together a new social studies curriculum. Its state Board of Education is made up of 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats. So here's the kind of balance you should expect.

Texas high school students would learn about such significant individuals and milestones of conservative politics as Newt Gingrich and the rise of the Moral Majority — but nothing about liberals — under the first draft of new standards for public school history textbooks.

And the side that got left out is very unhappy.

As it stands, students would get “one-sided, right wing ideology,” said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, chairman of the House Mexican American Caucus.

“We ought to be focusing on historical significance and historical figures. It's important that whatever course they take, that it portray a complete view of our history and not a jaded view to suit one's partisan agenda or one's partisan philosophy,” he said.

Oh, and:

Two reviewers have recommended that César Chávez, the late farm workers union leader, be removed from history books because they deem him an unworthy role model.

There are objections, of course. Things might turn out a little more balanced in the final curriculum. A little more.

Question: Why do conservatives object to ethnic and gender studies so vehemently? Answer: Because they can't control the distortions. And that's a truth about our history you probably won't read in history textbooks.

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5 thoughts on “But ethnic/gender studies programs distort history”

  1. When my own children were in grammar school in particular I was early on active in perusing the text books utilized in their school. I was amazed to find how the tone and tenor of the history they were being taught had been transformed from the history, especially about the USA, differed from what to which I was exposed.

    I only recently heard about the re-writing of the American history books proposed to be used in Texas and the latest assault on some of what were key and cornerstone people and events that shaped our heritage. Covert manipulation of what our children are taught is an excellent way to influence the future of any people and those traits they hold as part of their inalienable rights…?

    It requires perseverance and tenacity to get involved and make a difference in the curriculum to which our children and exposed and taught. Do you really want to make a difference or do you just want to bitch about it…?

  2. Could it be that NoBama was teaching a class that had NOTHING to do with the history or any WWII related subject?

    What is scary about this: Texas has a large influence over textbook publishers. Texas adopts textbooks state-wide, so if your textbook is adopted, you have it made. Textbooks are written to meet Texas standards in hopes of being adopted. Here in AZ, each school district adopts the books for their own district, but the books we get to chose from have been heavily influenced by Texas.

  3. I agree with David. People deserve to get their just share of airtime when it comes to history and when you leave out huge numbers of people off the history books because their issues are not important to those in control, something’s not right. Cesar Chavez and Thurgood Marshall are both deserving and should NOT be taken off textbooks. Speaking of WWII, a recent PBS special on WWII was going to completely leave out the contributions of people of color. Since WWII, a huge number of people of color have fought and died for this country (in fact, the numbers are usually disproportionate) and yet, the video didn’t show any people of color. I think 3 of my Ramirez uncles (all brothers) served in WWII. Their 2 younger bros served 1 in Korea and 1 in Vietnam. I had 3 uncles total serving during Vietnam. One died and since him, other family members have still signed up for the military. I don’t think anyone’s proposing we leave WWII out of the curriculum. We’re just asking that textbooks don’t leave out events and people of significance to big chunks of the population.

  4. I certainly don’t have a solution to picking the politically correct history book. Is there a solution?

    To me this problem can only be resolved (in a government school) by producing a history book that offends no one (and does a poor job of educating as a result).

    Perhaps they can make two history books, one acceptable to Republicans and one acceptable to Democrats, each school board can decide which they are going to use.

    I would just as well assign Giuliani’s Reading list:

    http://www.amazon.com/Giulianis-Reading-Assignment/lm/R3EVKPN3Z66Q0K

    Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War on Terror by Michael Scheuer

    Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism by Robert Pape

    Blowback, Second Edition: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire (American Empire Project) by Chalmers Johnson

    The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (Authorized Edition) by National Commission on Terrorist Attacks

  5. I taught at Pima Community College and was told that I could not talk about World War II.

    I served in World War II in the Army at Langley V.A.

    As an American Citizen , white male World War II does not exist at Pima Community College , but if I want to learn about Pancho Villa , re-conquista and La Raza they have classes I can take for College Credits!

    I read your blog David and was sympathetic to your writting until you mention The House Mexican American Caucus!

    Where is The House American Caucus in our Government Run Schools?

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