AlterNet /
By Christopher DeisWhat U.S. History Would Look Like If It Were Written By Texas and Arizona
Here what U.S. history would look like, as outlined in the guidelines offered by Arizona and Texas. Welcome to Tea Party, USA.May 20, 2010 |
History is one part truth. History is also one part fable. It is a site of political contestation and struggle. As the state of Arizona (with its rules banning "Ethnic Studies") and the state of Texas (reimaging its U.S. history curriculum to conform with the Tea Party and Christian Nationalist perspective) have both embraced a more "conservative" view of history, it only seems fair and reasonable to take their efforts at face value. Theirs is not an assault on academic freedom. No, it is an effort to diversify and make more inclusive and "American" the curriculum taught to our children. Many, on both sides of the political divide, have treated these new guidelines with much derision and complaint. I suggest that the best way to understand the teaching of history as imagined by this brave new world is to work through the reality it offers. To that end, I present U.S. history as outlined in the politically correct guidelines offered by Arizona and Texas. Sometimes the old is indeed the new...welcome my friends to Tea Party USA.
The Essential Dates and Events of U.S. History as Approved by the States of Arizona and Texas
1607-- Jamestown founded. Capitalism, which can trace its roots to the Bible, is now firmly rooted in the New World.
1660-1800--Triangular Atlantic trade continues to bring wealth and prosperity to America while giving opportunities to new immigrants.
1776--War for Independence against the tyrannical, evil British empire. Colonists suffer oppression that is unprecedented in human history. Minutemen singlehandedly defeat the evil British Empire in 1783.
1788--The United States Constitution is signed as a document to stand for all time, inspired by God, and never to be changed.
1803-1848--America continues to expand westward into empty territories. American settlers make the land bloom with the help of friendly Indian tribes.
1823--America guarantees the freedom of all countries and people in the Western Hemisphere with the adoption of the Monroe Doctrine.
1848--Mexico, in an act of friendship following their humiliation at the Alamo by the great Republic of Texas, gives their territories to the United States. ...........(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.alternet.org/story/146945/what_u.s._history_would_look_like_if_it_were_written_by_texas_and_arizona/