Don’t rewrite history. You must be kidding…
I opened the Pittsburgh Tribune Review this morning (May 21, 2010) and read the following:
I opened the Pittsburgh Tribune Review this morning (May 21, 2010) and read the following:
Don't rewrite history, former Education secretary Paige urges Texas board
Former Education Secretary Rod Paige on Wednesday expressed opposition to revised social studies curriculum standards being prepared for the state’s 4.7 million public school students, urging members of the State Board of Education not to let personal ideology shape "what is taught to our children."
REALLY?
Does former Secretary Paige believe that someone’s personal ideology has not been shaping what has been taught to our children? Does he really believe that a personal, secular ideology has not been shaping content of public school social studies and history curricula for more than 30 years? Why else would social studies text books be lacking any reference to religious activities as part of family life in America? Why else would our history text books be devoid of content regarding the Christian principles upon which this nation was founded?
Paige, a former Houston school superintendent who directed the nation's education policies in President George W. Bush's administration, was one of more than 200 witnesses scheduled to testify at a hearing yesterday as the 15-member board opened a three-day meeting on the revised standards.
The revisions have drawn nationwide attention amid charges that conservative Republicans on the board are attempting to alter history and inject their political beliefs into the curriculum. Minority groups contend that the standards have diminished the historical role of black and Hispanic people. Supporters defend the changes as balanced and accurate, contending that the controversy has been distorted in the media.
REALLY?
Are “conservative Republicans” trying to “alter” history, or for the first time in decades, attempting to be sure that textbooks reflect what actually happened? After all, isn’t that what history is – what really did happen in the past?
Paige, the first black person to serve as Education secretary, called on the board to "take another look" at how minorities and the civil rights movement are portrayed in the standards.
As an example, Paige cited Hendrick Arnold, an African-American who participated in Texas' revolution from Mexico. "An important personality like that is stealth to our students," Paige said. "Don't redact key personalities."
INCREDIBLE!
If Paige is so concerned about the redaction of key personalities who are “stealth to our students”, how about these personalities, who have been redacted for years:
United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Rush, who said - "In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes, and take so little pains to prevent them. We profess to be Republicans and yet we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government; that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible."
Noah Webster, who said - "[T]he Christian religion, in its purity, is the basis, or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government. ... and I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of that religion have not a controlling influence."
United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, who said - "Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement. ... [T]he very existence of the republics ... depend much upon the public institutions of religion." –
John Adams, who said - “Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure than they have it now, they may change their rulers and the forms of government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty."
George Washington, who said – “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
Somehow, people like Rod Paige do not seem to think that the near total redaction of key personalities such as these is not a result of the shaping of curricula by personal ideology! I believe that it is more likely that they are completely comfortable with personal ideology shaping education – as long as it is secular ideology. Indeed, “they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” (Romans 1:25)
The Cosmic Battle rages…
In Christ –
John
Soli Deo Gloria
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