American History? The Controversy

“American schoolchildren today learn two things about Thomas Jefferson: that he wrote the Declaration of Independence, and that he was a slaveholder. This is a stunted and dishonest teaching about Jefferson.” (Larry P. Arnn, Ph. D., president of Hillsdale College) Arnn goes on to explain that when our nation expanded into the Northwest Territory, slavery was forbidden in that territory…on the motion of Thomas Jefferson. They don’t learn that Jefferson wrote “I tremble for my country, when I reflect that God is just…The Almighty has no attribute that can take side with us in … a contest (between master and slave).” Focusing on the issue of slavery alone is like a peacenik person condemning the world for going to war against Germany in 1914 and 1939. Sure, it would be ideal, but there are other things in the mix. Is slavery wrong? Yes, but did Jefferson and others wrestle with the question? Are we communicating that to our kids? People are complicated, and have many complex issues in every era to wrestle with. To say that slavery was the only issue worth looking at, does our kids a disservice. I was sad to hear an 8th grader tell me that she wouldn’t wear a patriotic mask, because it “wasn’t her.” “I’m not ashamed of my country when I go to other countries,” she hastened to explain to me, “But it just isn’t me.” I responded by saying that “Being patriotic isn’t wrong…” but I didn’t know exactly how to answer her. After all, she’s been taught a different US History that I was. The 1619 Project is a curriculum that makes a person ashamed of America. It’s pre-supposition is that we were focused on slavery, and had nothing but greed and hatred in our hearts as the nation unfolded. The 1776 Curriculum, however, is more objective. It looks at the good that America has brought to the world. “After all, all men are sinners!” I told this 8th grader who has been taught that our founding fathers were all hypocrites. “But what good did they accomplish?” America has been and is today a refuge for many people from nations that do not respect freedom. I pray that many of our youth will see that, and become proud of the United States. In world history, there has never been a country with so many freedoms. May we keep them.