Telling the Truth About Today, and Yesterday

THE WAY TO TEACH HISTORY is to teach it in reverse, teach it backwards, starting with today, then going back to yesterday, then, all the way back. This gives the students a sense of relevancy, by showing exactly how the past, the entire past, is relevant in creating them, and their world today. Consequences come before causes. First the current facts, then their causes and consequences. And what better time than now to teach American history in this fashion! You walk into the classroom, and ask the students what's going on in America today. Sooner or later, the class arrives at the conclusion that one of the most important things going on in America today, one of the most important things that America is doing, isn't even happening "inside" America. Its happening halfway around the world, where, as usual, the United States of America is bombing the ever loving heck out of somebody. And you can't really omit mention of the "as usual" phrase, if you want to tell the truth about recent and current American history. In fact, you cannot fail to mention that today's high school seniors, the class of 2014, cannot remember nine one one, and has never lived in a country at peace. Hell. For that matter, if you're, say, a sixty year old American, you have never lived in an America not at war. Has anyone, ever? Has America ever NOT been at war, with somebody or something, some country or concept? That's not a bad way to initiate an American history course, by asking that very question, and its not inappropriate. In fact, its fair and honest; looking as far back in American history as it takes, trying to find times of peace. It'll take awhile, at least a semester, and it'll get you all the way back to Columbus. Traditionally, American history students were taught that the Untied States of America can do no wrong. Then, in recent years, we started teaching the truth, or at least a more balanced version, portraying the good and the bad in American history. Oh, how our conservative brothers and sisters hate the balanced approach, the one in which the U.S.A. is not perfect! Whitewashing history makes it easier for arrogant people to proudly flaunt their excessive patriotism, and thus enhance their opinion of themselves. But if we look at history in reverse, starting with today, and moving backwards, we cannot avoid the truth. That is, at least, assuming we tell the truth about today.