Lies My Teacher Told Me

1. American history textbooks often perpetuate myths and omit crucial facts

"Textbooks are often muddled by the conflicting desires to promote inquiry and to indoctrinate blind patriotism."

Selective storytelling. History textbooks in American schools frequently present a sanitized version of events, omitting controversial topics and emphasizing a narrative of continual progress. This approach fails to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and contradictions in American history.

Mythmaking and reality. Textbooks often perpetuate myths about historical figures and events, such as the first Thanksgiving, the motivations of the Founding Fathers, and the causes of various wars. These myths serve to create a sense of national identity but obscure the true nature of historical events and their consequences.

Impact on students. By presenting a simplified and often inaccurate version of history, textbooks limit students' ability to think critically about the past and its relevance to the present. This approach can lead to a lack of understanding about ongoing social issues and hinder students' ability to engage meaningfully in civic life.

2. Heroification in textbooks distorts historical figures and events

"Through this process, our educational media turn flesh-and-blood individuals into pious, perfect creatures without conflicts, pain, credibility, or human interest."

Oversimplification of historical figures. Textbooks often present historical figures as one-dimensional heroes or villains, stripping away their complexities and contradictions. This process, called heroification, creates unrealistic role models and fails to provide students with a nuanced understanding of history.

Examples of heroification:

• Christopher Columbus portrayed as a brave explorer, ignoring his role in the exploitation and genocide of Native Americans
• Abraham Lincoln presented solely as the Great Emancipator, downplaying his evolving views on race and slavery
• Helen Keller's radical socialist beliefs and activism erased from her narrative

Consequences of heroification. By presenting historical figures as flawless heroes, textbooks:

• Discourage critical thinking about historical events and their consequences
• Fail to provide realistic role models for students
• Reinforce simplistic notions of good and evil in history
• Hinder students' ability to understand the complexity of historical decision-making

3. Textbooks downplay the role of racism in American history

"The black-white rift stands at the very center of American history. It is the great challenge to which all our deepest aspirations to freedom must rise."

Sanitized narratives. Many textbooks present a sanitized version of American history that minimizes the role of racism in shaping the nation's institutions, policies, and social structures. This approach fails to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing impact of racial discrimination.

Key omissions and misrepresentations:

• Downplaying the brutality and economic importance of slavery
• Minimizing the role of racism in post-Civil War policies and institutions
• Glossing over the violence and discrimination faced by racial minorities throughout American history
• Failing to adequately address the long-term consequences of racist policies on wealth distribution, education, and social mobility

Impact on students' understanding. By downplaying the role of racism, textbooks:

• Fail to provide context for ongoing racial disparities and social issues
• Hinder students' ability to critically examine current events and policies
• Perpetuate misconceptions about the causes and consequences of racial inequality
• Limit opportunities for meaningful discussions about race and racism in the classroom

4. The invisibility of social class in history education reinforces inequality

"To be sure, much social stratification cannot be justified so neatly, because it results from the abuse of wealth and power by those who have these advantages to shut out those who do not."

Neglected topic. Most American history textbooks fail to adequately address the issue of social class and its impact on historical events and societal structures. This omission leaves students ill-equipped to understand the role of economic inequality in shaping American society.

Key aspects of social class often ignored:

• The influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on government policies
• The struggles of labor movements and working-class Americans
• The impact of economic policies on different social classes
• The relationship between social class, education, and opportunity

Consequences of ignoring social class. By failing to address social class, textbooks:

• Reinforce the myth of meritocracy and equal opportunity
• Hinder students' ability to critically examine economic policies and their impacts
• Obscure the historical roots of current economic inequalities
• Limit students' understanding of their own place within societal structures

5. Textbooks present a sanitized version of U.S. foreign policy and government actions

"Textbooks unfold history without real drama or suspense, only melodrama."

Whitewashing foreign policy. Many textbooks present U.S. foreign policy as consistently benevolent and driven by humanitarian concerns, ignoring or downplaying instances of imperialism, covert operations, and support for authoritarian regimes.

Examples of omitted or sanitized topics:

• CIA-backed coups in Iran, Guatemala, and Chile
• Support for dictatorships during the Cold War
• The true motivations behind various military interventions
• The role of economic interests in shaping foreign policy decisions

Impact on students' understanding. This sanitized version of history:

• Fails to provide students with a realistic understanding of international relations
• Hinders critical thinking about current foreign policy decisions
• Perpetuates a simplistic "good guys vs. bad guys" narrative
• Limits students' ability to understand the complexities of global politics and economics

6. Native American history is misrepresented and oversimplified in textbooks

"To treat Columbus and the Pilgrims as heroes, textbooks must underplay the actions of Columbus and the Pilgrims."

Distorted narratives. Many textbooks present a simplified and often inaccurate version of Native American history, focusing primarily on interactions with European settlers and downplaying the rich cultures and complex societies that existed before colonization.

Common misrepresentations:

• Portraying Native Americans as primitive or uncivilized
• Minimizing the devastating impact of European diseases and violence on Native populations
• Glossing over broken treaties and forced relocation policies
• Failing to adequately address the ongoing struggles of Native American communities

Consequences of misrepresentation. By presenting an inaccurate view of Native American history, textbooks:

• Perpetuate stereotypes and misconceptions about Native cultures
• Fail to provide context for current issues facing Native American communities
• Limit students' understanding of the diversity and complexity of Native American societies
• Hinder meaningful discussions about the legacy of colonialism and its ongoing impacts

7. The civil rights movement is often portrayed inaccurately, minimizing grassroots efforts

"When textbooks make racism invisible in American history, they obstruct our already poor ability to see it in the present."

Top-down narrative. Many textbooks present the civil rights movement as primarily driven by the actions of the federal government and a few prominent leaders, downplaying the crucial role of grassroots organizing and community activism.

Key aspects often overlooked:

• The diverse range of civil rights organizations and their strategies
• The role of local communities in organizing protests and boycotts
• The contributions of lesser-known activists and organizers
• The ongoing nature of the struggle for civil rights beyond the 1960s

Impact on students' understanding. This inaccurate portrayal:

• Fails to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of social movements
• Minimizes the agency and contributions of ordinary citizens in creating change
• Hinders students' ability to draw lessons from the civil rights movement for current social issues
• Perpetuates the myth that social progress is primarily driven by government action rather than grassroots efforts

8. Textbooks fail to critically examine the actions of the federal government

"Textbooks seem locked into a rhetoric of certainty."

Uncritical portrayal. Many textbooks present the actions of the federal government in an overwhelmingly positive light, failing to critically examine controversial decisions, policies, or events that might reflect poorly on the nation's leaders.

Areas often lacking critical examination:

• Violations of civil liberties during wartime
• Government surveillance and suppression of dissent
• Corruption and scandals in various administrations
• The role of special interests in shaping government policy

Consequences of uncritical examination. By failing to critically examine government actions, textbooks:

• Hinder students' ability to think critically about current events and policies
• Perpetuate a simplistic view of government as always well-intentioned and effective
• Fail to provide students with the tools to be engaged and informed citizens
• Limit opportunities for meaningful discussions about the role of government in society

9. Historical narratives in textbooks often ignore the perspectives of marginalized groups

"If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through his appointed time, he now wills to remove, and that he gives to both North and South this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to him?"

Limited perspectives. Many textbooks present historical narratives primarily from the perspective of dominant groups, often neglecting or minimizing the experiences and contributions of marginalized communities.

Underrepresented perspectives:

• Women's experiences and contributions throughout history
• The struggles and achievements of racial and ethnic minorities
• LGBTQ+ history and the fight for equal rights
• The experiences of working-class and poor Americans

Impact on students. By failing to include diverse perspectives, textbooks:

• Perpetuate a narrow and incomplete view of American history
• Fail to provide students from marginalized groups with historical role models and representation
• Limit opportunities for students to develop empathy and understanding across cultural differences
• Hinder students' ability to critically examine historical events from multiple viewpoints

10. The absence of critical thinking in history education hinders civic engagement

"To function adequately in civic life in our troubled times, students must learn what causes racism."

Lack of analytical skills. Many textbooks present history as a series of facts to be memorized rather than a subject for critical analysis and interpretation. This approach fails to develop students' critical thinking skills and their ability to engage meaningfully with historical and current events.

Key analytical skills often neglected:

• Evaluating sources and evidence
• Identifying bias and perspective in historical accounts
• Analyzing cause-and-effect relationships in historical events
• Drawing connections between historical events and current issues

Consequences of neglecting critical thinking. By failing to develop these skills, history education:

• Leaves students ill-equipped to navigate complex social and political issues
• Hinders students' ability to critically evaluate media and information sources
• Fails to prepare students for active citizenship and civic engagement
• Limits opportunities for students to develop their own informed opinions on historical and current events

Last updated: January 22, 2025