Navigating American History: Honesty, Humility, and Hope in the 21st Century
History is a subject full of debate and interpretations influenced by the current societal divisions. The teaching of American history is undergoing significant challenges, particularly regarding issues of race and equality. The 1619 Project aims to reframe American history by addressing the foundational role of slavery. Embracing honesty, humility, and hope can lead us towards a more unified and confident future as Americans. This necessitates a careful balance in teaching history that stays true to our national motto, E Pluribus Unum.
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Teaching American History in Teaching American History in the 21 the 21st stCentury Century How honesty, humility, and hope can take us beyond the history wars
The History Wars The History Wars How to Teach American History in a Divided Country C.R.T. Teachers Tackle Black History Month, Under New Restrictions Why the teaching of history at universities is imperiled DeSantis government bans new advanced African American history course FROM INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DIVISIVE CONCEPTS BLACK LIVES MATTER Built by Black History Stop W.O.K.E. Act
History is an interpretive enterprise always subject to debate and always affected by forces and tensions in our time. We live in a polarized time, so we should expect that division to affect our understanding of and teaching of our history. The public debate over race and racism has taken center stage in the teaching of American history.
Is racism endemic to the Is racism endemic to the U.S.? If so, how should we U.S.? If so, how should we teach American history? teach American history?
The goal of the 1619 Project is to reframe American history, making explicit that slavery is the foundation on which this country is built. -From the original Introduction published in NY Times Magazine
A rediscovery of our shared identity rooted in our founding principles is the path to a renewed American unity and a confident American future. -From the Introduction
How should we think about this as Americans How should we think about this as Americans and as people of faith? and as people of faith? As people of faith, we can be informed by honesty, humility, and hope. As Americans, our goal should be to teach a history that is true to our motto, E Pluribus Unum.
Honesty: Honesty: We need to talk about We need to talk about 1619 1619
Honesty: Honesty: We need to talk about We need to talk about 1776 1776
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Declaration of Independence, 1776
Abraham Lincoln The framers meant to set up a standard maxim for free society, which should be familiar to all, and revered by all; constantly looked to, constantly labored for, and though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated, and thereby constantly spreading and deepening its influence, and augmenting the happiness and value of life to all people of all colors everywhere. - Lincoln in 1857
The Constitution and the Declaration The Constitution and the Declaration The expression of that principle, in our Declaration of Independence, was most happy, and fortunate [ liberty for all ]. The assertion of that principle, at that time, was the word, fitly spoken which has proved an apple of gold to us. The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around it. The picture was made, not to conceal, or destroy the apple; but to adorn, and preserve it. The picture was made for the apple not the apple for the picture. So let us act, that neither picture, or apple, shall ever be blurred, or bruised or broken. Fragment written by Lincoln in 1860 [Proverbs 25:11 - A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.]
Humility Humility Understand our position in history Avoid presentism in study of the past Attempt to learn from our mistakes
Hope Hope Not guilt or anger. Instead, we should resolve to do better.
Hope Hope Many Republicans believe most Democrats want to teach a history defined by shameful oppression and white guilt. Many Democrats believe most Republicans want to focus on the white majority and overlook slavery and racism. But we found that both impressions are wrong. Report by More in Common, based on surveys, focus groups, and interviews, in collaboration with YouGov Reported in Education Week, Dec. 2022
Only 35 percent of Democrats thought that Republicans would say that Americans have a responsibility to learn from our past and fix our mistakes. But 93 percent of Republicans actually agreed with that statement. On the other side, only 45 percent of Republicans thought Democrats would want students to learn about how the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution advanced freedom and equality. But 92 percent of Democrats actually said students should learn this.
Is racism endemic to the Is racism endemic to the U.S.? If so, how should we U.S.? If so, how should we teach American history? teach American history?
Racism has persisted Racism has persisted throughout our history throughout our history -- -- but we have the power to keep racism from being endemic.
