Ginnie mentioned the book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, by sociologist James Loewen in a recent Pizza & Social Justice Continuing Conversation. Attached is a link to an NPR interview with Professor Loewen. --Yvor
“The American Journey” is a classroom staple. The textbook has been described as a ‘superb, readable presentation of American history, from pre-exploration to the present.’ It is read by millions who are often tested on its contents every year.
But sociologist James Loewen discovered that the 2015 edition of the book contained passages like this one, about The Civil War.
The South Secedes
Lincoln and the Republicans had promised not to disturb slavery where it already existed. Nevertheless, many people in the South mistrusted the party, fearing that the Republican government would not protect Southern rights and liberties. On December 20, 1860, the South’s long-standing threat to leave the Union became a reality when South Carolina held a special convention and voted to secede.
This passage has been taken by some to suggest that slavery was notthe reason why the South seceded from the North. Loewen argues that this phrasing is dangerous. It glosses over an ugly historical precedent of white supremacy, as well as being counterfactual.
And he suggests that textbook publishers often obfuscate because“they don’t want to offend Southern school districts and thereby lose sales.”
And it’s not just The Civil War that’s being misconstrued. Glossing over, lying about or misrepresenting events is also not a recent phenomenon.
Loewen broke down some major falsehoods in his 1995 book “Lies My Teacher Told Me,” which is being re-released in paperback this summer.