By Amanda Tennant, staff writer
The most important reason for studying history is to acknowledge the mis- takes of others in order to learn from those mistakes and make wiser decisions in the world for future generations to come. However, an Oklahoma State Legislative Committee recently decided to pass a bill which plans to defund the College Board’s Advanced Placement U.S. History curriculum because it does not promote “American exceptionalism” and thus is “unpatriotic.” None of these politicians have considered the opinions of AP high school students whose education will be affected by such a change in curriculum, so here is why the current APUSH curriculum should continue to be taught in schools.
One of the main objectives of APUSH is to learn about differing perspectives in history and how those perspectives shaped the era that we live in today. APUSH is about hearing multiple sides of the story, not just the most desired or victorious side. Critics say that the curriculum isn’t promoting all of the good things the United States has done, yet for most of my history education pre-APUSH, a majority of it has been about all of the good things the United States has accomplished. I have learned about the constitution and how the original states came together to create a government for the people. I have learned about our founding fathers and their principles of universal freedom and equality for all. I have learned what it means to be an American citizen. Everywhere you go people are cheering for how great this nation is.Yet, in order to gain perspective, we must look at the darker spots in American History. We must learn about the cruelties that our government once inflicted on its people.
So, how is it unpatriotic to learn about things that actually happened? To learn about the truth? According to the Legislative Committee, if it does not make the United States look favorable, then it should be swept under the rug and not be taught. By this logic, are we going to pretend slavery never happened? Are we going to ignore the Trail of Tears? As a student, I feel that it isn’t patriotism that is being offended, it is the circumstance that by learning these events, the United States will not be portrayed as the perfect, strong nation everyone sees it as. By learning these events, our standing as a nation that promotes freedom for all may be damaged with the realization that in reality, that wasn’t always the case. Therefore, by banning it in schools and looking the other way, we can pretend that it never happened. However, no matter how much you sugarcoat it, no matter how much you object to it, the truth will prevail. Because yes, slavery did happen. Events such as The Trail of Tears did happen. And they were terrible. And most importantly, the United States is exposed as a not perfect country. The United States, just like every other country in this world, has its flaws.
However, instead of shunning these atrocities and looking the other way, we should learn about them and accept that they happened. Because these Oklahoma legislators seem to forget one major detail. Yes, these terrible events did happen, however, we eventually addressed the issue, fought to eliminate it, and emerged as a stronger, improved people. Slavery was eventually abolished, though it took time. And during that timely process, the Civil War took place, but together we got through it. For the longest time, women were op- pressed and couldn’t have a say in their government. However, we eventually fixed that with the 19th Amendment. Every time a challenge has come our way, though it may have taken time, we as Americans have gotten through it together and as a result, come out as a stronger, united people and as a more worthy country. Thus, to make sure that we continue to be united citizens, it is our responsibility as future voters of the United States of America, to make sure that abhorrent atrocities never happen again. We, as Americans, must truly reflect on what our founding fathers meant when they penned that all men are created equal and that all men are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We cannot rewrite history, but we can learn from it.
As Maya Angelou said, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be un- lived, but if faced with courage, need not to be lived again.”