This text discusses the idea of creating a more comprehensive and accurate American history book. The author discovered information in an 1857 history book that challenges commonly taught narratives. Here are the key points:
Early Discoveries of America
• John Colt and his son Samuel allegedly discovered America four months before Christopher Columbus’s fourth voyage
• Vikings reportedly landed in Boston, Massachusetts and traveled 200 miles inland, leaving markings
• These stories were considered legends or mythology, originating from Quaker accounts
Overlooked Historical Information
• Columbus’s treatment of Native Americans in Central and North America
• The conquest of Hispaniola
• Jewish rabbis’ support of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement
• The role of Jewish people in passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act
• Supreme Court justices approving the internment of Japanese, Italian, and German American citizens during World War II
Proposed New History Book
The author suggests creating a new American history book that:
• Includes both positive and negative aspects of history
• Incorporates wisdom and witness testimonies about slavery
• Uses primary sources from the 21st century to back up historical claims
• Presents factual information without propaganda
Potential Title and Approach
• Suggested title: “Education You Should Have Learned”
• Conduct a survey on public knowledge of American history
• Include information from multiple sources in one comprehensive book
Additional Facts About American History Education
• The content of history textbooks often varies by state due to different curriculum standards
• Some states have passed laws affecting how topics like racism and slavery are taught in schools
• There’s ongoing debate about the balance between patriotic narratives and critical examinations of history in textbooks
• Digital resources and open-source textbooks are becoming more common, allowing for more frequent updates to historical information
The author believes that a more factual and comprehensive history book could help address issues of “wokeness” and provide a better understanding of American history for students and the general public.
