Yes, but the faults, like gossip, can be exaggerated to the point where they become more important than the greatness which was achieved, as though they should have shared billing.
They don't have to 'emphasize" it.I am a history major and through my many years of history classes K-12 + five years of college I never had a teacher who emphasized the bad over the good when it came to the Founders. After all, what make the biggest impact in history: Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase or his philandering with slave women?
You claim it's called "President's Day" to honor Abraham Lincoln. That speaks for itself.Yeah, and it was ridiculous. You honestly think Washington's Birthday was changed to President's Day to diminish the historical relevance of the Founding Fathers. That is beyond stupid.
Well, you know, if the shoe fits.
By today's standards - yes - they were racist. They just didn't care back then which is why slavery and other practices were permitted to continue for so long.
But to try to claim they were NOT is absurd.
They won't do that. They'll complain about American history regarding slavery, women's right's, voting rights, and so on but will ignore modern slavery, the sale of women into slavery, FMG, and so on. In fact they will even bar women who suffered from Islamic atrocities first hand from speaking.If Liberals want to cry about slavery, let them go the the nations where slaves can still be purchased: Togo, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, and many others. You sure won't see the Nation of Islam going into these areas and protesting about it.
They don't have to 'emphasize" it.
I cannot help but notice that patriotism in America has been on the skids for the last generation or more, and the number of heroes for succeeding generations to look up to has declined.The vast majority dont. The teaching of history should be about no agenda except the teaching of facts from the past. Anything other than that is just propaganda.
I cannot help but notice that patriotism in America has been on the skids for the last generation or more, and the number of heroes for succeeding generations to look up to has declined.
Every nation needs heroes to inspire successive generations as to what a successful and productive life means. Now the heroes in the United States are not George Washington, or Abraham Lincoln but celebrities, and the more debauched they are the more celebrated they often become. We search for the flaws in our heroes rather than celebrating their achievements.
Maybe teaching that Washington held slaves is all to the good, or that MLK was a womanizer, or that Jackie Robinson had a bad temper, the warts and all theory, but I'm not sure I see the advantage, unless it applies to biographers and students who have a deeper interest in these people and are of an age where they've developed some perspective.
The American culture has become more shabby, and it might be that their heroes have become more shabby also.
In fact my father left when I was a child so my heroes were in sports, the men who tried their best and showed no fear.I do agree the people we tend to "look up to" nowadays are poor role models. However, I am not convinced this is the result of a more critical look at historical figures. When did you first realize your father was not a perfect person? Was he no longer your role model afterwards?
In fact my father left when I was a child
so my heroes were in sports, the men who tried their best and showed no fear.
If I can be a hero to my own children, and they don't mimic the celebrities of today then, on a personal level, I can be well satisfied.
Thanks, though we know people have gone through much worse.I am sorry to hear that.
If one of my sports heroes cheated on his wife I certainly wouldn't have known about it. Same with gambling or any other vice. The press just kept it to themselves, and I'm grateful they did because, as a child, I needed someone to look up to. Of course murder is something else entirely.Fair enough. But should we bury our heads in the sand when one of our sports heroes throws his teammates under the bus? Cheats on his wife? Gambles his money away? Or even murders someone? I'm sure there were many young Pats fans who looked up to Aaron Hernandez at one point. If anything, we should hold these leaders to a higher standard and be very critical when they screw up. After all, what they do can impact the young mind of a child.
Well, I hope you are right. I appreciate your sincerity.I agree, a father's presence is more critical than ever in today's society for the exact reasons you speak of. As a teacher, I see the effect every day on fatherless children. And even when a father screws up (which he inevitably will) the children will continue to respect him if he owns up to his mistakes. I have no doubt that if our Founders were alive today they would concur slavery was a horrific institution that went against the principles they were espousing. Students can admire their courage and strength while acknowledging their mistakes. As I said before, I have yet to meet a professor or teacher who focused more on the faults of America's figures than their accomplishments.
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