Comments on: Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbooks Got Wrong, by James W. Loewen

By: Hankering for History

Hankering for History — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:44:19 +0000

In reply to Derrick Birdsall. Great to hear!

By: Hankering for History

Hankering for History — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:44:08 +0000

In reply to Cotton Boll Conspiracy.

Ya…critical thinking… There isn’t much of that going on these days.

By: Cotton Boll Conspiracy

Cotton Boll Conspiracy — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:39:00 +0000

If no one else has any understanding of history, then no one can challenge the views being put forth by a teacher. And even if one doesn’t have an in-depth understanding of the subject, one can at least apply critical thinking skills to determine what makes sense and what would seem implausible.

As neither an understanding of history nor critical thinking seem to be in great supply, it makes it easier for those who want to monkey with the past to do so, unfortunately.

By: Derrick Birdsall

Derrick Birdsall — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 13:14:12 +0000

In reply to Hankering for History. I run a local history museum. Still in the field, just not teaching every day.

By: spencercourt

spencercourt — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 01:48:13 +0000

In reply to John.

> Who controls the present controls the past.”

I’d add: “Who defines the past, controls the present.”

While individuals may be interested in historical “truth”, no government, including the US, is interested in anything more than propaganda, including the US.

By: Hankering for History

Hankering for History — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 01:57:01 +0000

In reply to Derrick Birdsall.

No apologies needed! I enjoy some good “soap boxing”. If you don’t mind my asking, what did you end up doing once you changed your career path. I am always curious to see what people do with their History degrees–those of who do not teach with them.