Kansas Crimson

This got brought up in another thread, but, what are some things you guys recall learning in grade school that, uh, weren’t quite the best description of how it actually went down?

The whole relationship with native Americans seemed a little too cozy. “Columbus showed up, and the Indians taught them how to grow corn, then they all sat down for a turkey dinner together, it was chill”

And the 60s civil rights movement, as if MLK did all the work needed, and racism was pretty much over after that.

And I legit thought all babies came direct from god, and if a chick got pregnant out of wedlock, it was cuz god was spiting them for not being faithful enough, but I went to Catholic school, so that might be a little more unique

In elementary school, native Americans and the colonization of the US was pretty cookie cutter happy etc. and I generally agree that you don’t try to teach an eight year old about massacres and scalping. Cut out turkeys made of colored paper and make some corn stalk ornaments.

Fortunately for me, I had great middle school and high school history teachers who weren’t afraid to teach how shitty Europeans were to the natives ( amongst a lot of other stuff outside of the text books ).

Yeah. European colonization of the Mericas could just as easily be framed as among the most egregious mass genocides the world has ever known, but to us in school it’s framed is a bunch of puritans seeking some freedom.

(Cuz somehow, early American colonists were too uptight for England. England! Think about that)

I also grew up thinking it was the good pure Christian folks trying to save the souls of the rest of the world, then got to public school for junior high, and learned about Islam. Mind. Blown. But that’s more my own sheltered religious upbringing

ousdahl wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 4:59 pm The whole relationship with native Americans seemed a little too cozy. “Columbus showed up, and the Indians taught them how to grow corn, then they all sat down for a turkey dinner together, it was chill”

And the 60s civil rights movement, as if MLK did all the work needed, and racism was pretty much over after that.

And I legit thought all babies came direct from god, and if a chick got pregnant out of wedlock, it was cuz god was spiting them for not being faithful enough, but I went to Catholic school, so that might be a little more unique

You were taught those things (in that way) in school? I wasn't.

Illy wasn’t taught in school.

Makes sense.

and man, I WISH I could remember what they taught us in the Dare program.

But all I remember was the dude who won the dare essay contest is now the biggest pothead I know.

^^^look at what time (mountain) that was posted.

the Pocahontas/John Smith story is bs

as is most of telling of “taming” the west...at least until maybe jr. high (i think that’s about when the Trail of Tears is taught). even so, much of “relationship” between white settlers and american indians is glossed over. very little attention is given to heritage or diversity of cultures that was present before whitey even set foot on this continent

Where’s that Santorum clip about how there just ain’t much Native American culture in America, wonder why, senator assjuice?

Then is no history better? Because i agree whitewashed history isn't okay, but at the same time what are you wanting 5-9 year olds to be taught about those types of things?

Maybe just a more realistic less whitewashed version of shit.

And in hindsight, it’s pretty weird that we all had to stand up and hand over heart and recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

A buddy got arrested in high school over some controversy stemming from a refusal to do so, but I don’t remember the deets

ousdahl wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 4:59 pm The whole relationship with native Americans seemed a little too cozy. “Columbus showed up, and the Indians taught them how to grow corn, then they all sat down for a turkey dinner together, it was chill”

And the 60s civil rights movement, as if MLK did all the work needed, and racism was pretty much over after that.

And I legit thought all babies came direct from god, and if a chick got pregnant out of wedlock, it was cuz god was spiting them for not being faithful enough, but I went to Catholic school, so that might be a little more unique

I don’t remember what was said, but in 1992, it was the 500 year anniversary of Columbus “finding” America. I remember a full day session where the entire school was in the auditorium, and it was like a 5 hour circle jerk on how great Columbus was. I was in first grade so I don’t remember the actual content was, but I do remember it being weird. Boy, that Columbus guy sounds like he’s going to get canceled in 2092 tho!

ousdahl wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 5:27 pm Maybe just a more realistic less whitewashed version of shit.

And in hindsight, it’s pretty weird that we all had to stand up and hand over heart and recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

A buddy got arrested in high school over some controversy stemming from a refusal to do so, but I don’t remember the deets

A realistic version of history to 5-9 year olds? Reality is far too gruesome.

As said in another thread, I don't have an issue with the pledge of allegiance in public schools but if a kid doesn't want to stand or be part, there shouldn't be any repercussions.

As a 4th or 5th grader we had a teacher named Carl Benoit.
Someone's older sibling thought it was funny to call him Mr. Ben Wa Balls so of course we started doing it. The Principal had a tough time explaining to us why it was inappropriate.

I think the way they are teaching elementary school kids to code now is not productive. All these algorithm games where they put buttons in some order - I don't know what that does.

They should just teach them very small slices of things, but real code. Hell, my 7 year old can navigate a Linux OS. That's a more useful start IMO.

Cursive. Couldn't do it then, even worse now.

Wonder if kids would even be able to write in 50 years? I thought the only reason that we’d keep writing alive was lab notebooks, to record experiments in the lab. Then they came up with robust electronic lab notebooks. We thought it would be to record/approve regulatory documents....then there’s DocuSign.....I can’t even remember the last time I wrote a check!

jhawks99 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 6:25 pm Cursive. Couldn't do it then, even worse now.

Gotta learn long division cuz it’s not like you’re gonna spend the rest of yer lives with a calculator in yer pocket!


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