Inspiration:
"Ms. Francis, this class has challenged everything I know about US History!" - Sam Goon
Context:
Many of you have noted, as Sam did, that a lot of what is taught about US history in grammar and middle school is lacking historical context and accuracy. In fact, many historians argue that the conventional approach to teaching US History in public schools often " perpetuates popular myths (e.g., the first Thanksgiving)...lies by omission... leaves false impressions.... avoids negative images even from primary sources... fails to portray whole people, distort events and attitudes ... avoid conflict and controversy at all costs ...and fundamentally shun anything that would put history, people, and movements into context... Instead, students memorize the archetypes and the myths built around them without thinking about their likelihood—or improbability." (Scriff, Diane, 2004. http://www.slywy.com/bookreviews/liestold.html)
"Ms. Francis, this class has challenged everything I know about US History!" - Sam Goon
Context:
Many of you have noted, as Sam did, that a lot of what is taught about US history in grammar and middle school is lacking historical context and accuracy. In fact, many historians argue that the conventional approach to teaching US History in public schools often " perpetuates popular myths (e.g., the first Thanksgiving)...lies by omission... leaves false impressions.... avoids negative images even from primary sources... fails to portray whole people, distort events and attitudes ... avoid conflict and controversy at all costs ...and fundamentally shun anything that would put history, people, and movements into context... Instead, students memorize the archetypes and the myths built around them without thinking about their likelihood—or improbability." (Scriff, Diane, 2004. http://www.slywy.com/bookreviews/liestold.html)
With that critical lens in mind, I'd like to devote this week's blog to reconsidering some popular culture potrayls of the American Revolution and the foundational principles of American Democracy.
Directions:
"Schoolhouse Rock" was a saturday morning cartoon show that aired in the late 1970's- 1989. It covered everything from algebra to zoology. Predictably, my favortie episodes were those that focused on US History and Government. These resources are basic in their teachings but directly reflect the general public's understanding of critical events from US history.
1. Watch "No More Kings" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYmhlclqr4
lyrics available at: http://www.postdiluvian.org/~gilly/Schoolhouse_Rock/HTML/history/nomorekings.html
Directions:
"Schoolhouse Rock" was a saturday morning cartoon show that aired in the late 1970's- 1989. It covered everything from algebra to zoology. Predictably, my favortie episodes were those that focused on US History and Government. These resources are basic in their teachings but directly reflect the general public's understanding of critical events from US history.
1. Watch "No More Kings" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYmhlclqr4
lyrics available at: http://www.postdiluvian.org/~gilly/Schoolhouse_Rock/HTML/history/nomorekings.html
lyrics available at: http://www.postdiluvian.org/~gilly/Schoolhouse_Rock/HTML/history/shot.html
2. Assess the historical accuracy of these cartoons by comparing and contrasting them to our current class materials on the American Revolution. Then share your thoughts on the following questions:
Does popular culture promote a nationalistic view of US History? What cultural, political or economic purpose does this serve in modern US society?
Expectations:
I remind you to draw on direct facts from our current unit of study in your response. Also, remember to reflect on at least one other blog. 200 word minimum is required for a grade higher than N on this assignment.
Extra Credit:
Create your own creative representation of the american Revolution through images, music or video. It can be posted on the blog or emailed to me at bridgettefrancis@aol.com
24 comments:
I am truly excited and can't wait to see what you all have to say this as well as to see some of your amazing extra credit projects.
Samantha Goon
Block A
October 15, 2007
[[ Hey, that's me! =) ]]
As I viewed the videos from "Schoolhouse Rock" which aired late 1970's- 1989, I started to think about what I said in class to you. The truth lies beneath the great accomplishments and good deeds. Nobody likes to hear about killing or slaughtering. Christopher Columbus was portrayed as this great American discoverer who founded America. Columbus and his crew killed thousands of Indians, but this wasn't shown in the children's show because as I said, nobody wants to see the truth. But, the truth is untold. In class we watched the video of the colonies and British fighting. When the colonies first arrived in the new world, they were unhappy to find no gold. They couldn't crop or build with natural resources. They lied to the Queen and told her that they found great lives in the new world, which they believed was China. But, in the video they showed the complete opposite. It's funny and ironic why people would create such lies to children. Until now that I am sixteen years old, have I found out the truth. The colonies suffered and many did get hurt, but the video shows that the colonies made it so easy to win the Revolutionary war against the British. The video made the American Revolution look like a happy tale of fighting for liberty, and freedom. Answering the question, does popular culture promote a nationalistic view of U.S. History? Absolutely, but in a terrible way. These videos for children show the great humane side of American history. Yes, they do include great facts and great accomplishments that this country has been through. But, sometimes hiding the truth of the dark side can turn believers into haters, like me. The video's promote American culture as always powerful and this great story line of great colonist (who encouraged slavery). Probably more that half of Americans today still don't even know about the truth of Christopher Columbus or the American Revolution because they're so vulnerable to the great achievements this country has been through. But, I feel very strong about this conflict and believe that it's not right. These child shows do reflect the lack of facts about American history, but yet proves a nationalistic view of American History.
Larry Williams, Oct 16, Block A
To answer the question yes it does based on the fact that they used cartoons as a way to get important facts around to people was kind of sillly.To agree with what Sam Goon said nobody likes to see or hear about killings, So they made columbus a hero. And that's good in all but dont say that he didnt do anything wrong by killing hundreds of native americans and putting them into slavery. After watching the vidoes I would not blame the poeple for making it look like the American Revolution was a glorious thing becauase you you have to think because kids also watch these shows they still have to be just cartoons to them. In the future they should try hard to find ways to give there children the facts about U.S history and not give them a good bedtime story.
First off i have to agree with Goon. "that a lot of what is taught about US history in grammar and middle school is lacking historical context and accuracy". The whole fighting during the American Revoution makes people think that there was pride and honor for each colony. Most like i saw in the movie The Patriot, i feel like some fighters wanted revange and didn't really care about the war. After watching all these videos, now i reallly feel like the Revolution was portray as like all that went on was just fighting and people died for this country. popular culture promotes a nationalistic view of U.S history because of T.V shows or movies. people see it and they feel like our culture is free and they would love to be us.
Mariel Elia
Rock-Tober.17
Dear Blog,
Do I personally think that popular culture promotes a nationalistic view of the U.S, yes? Until this year, I thought Columbus Day was for one of the greatest heroes of all. I was fooled like an pirate finding fools gold. When you teach kids and young kids about history you try and keep it as PG as possible. If your not going to teach what really happened , don't teach lies. The truth should be spoken even if it’s a bloody mess. While watching the clips that were on the website it made me think about me as a child how i thought the Indians and Columbus were best of buds. Boy was I totally wrong man. Teaching people half the story isn’t a good teaching technique. Honesty is the best policy and half the people who teach this bull***** story of Chris Columbus should be ashamed of lying to little children and big girls like me. :) Not cool. Well , got to go blog.
Love Mariel <3
Samantha Goon
Block A
October 17, 2007
Responding...
To Mariel's post.
She basically said what I said. The people on this blog agree with my view on the question, "Does popular culture promote a nationalistic view of U.S. History?" Yes it does. It's not right for young children to be told a story that isn't finished.
Michela Infantino
Does popular culture promote a nationalistic view of US History? What cultural, political or economic purpose does this serve in modern US society?
Hey, I remember those episodes!!!!! Schoolhouse Rock and The Magic School Bus were two of my favorite childhood television shows :] I agree with Samantha when she states, “The truth lies beneath the great accomplishments and good deeds.” Like Mariel, Christopher Columbus in my eyes has been praised as an amazing, accomplished man, therefore celebrating Columbus Day. Yet, how can we celebrate a day for Christopher Columbus it he was such a corrupt individual. Not only starting conflict with the Indians already located there but also, using humans as his personal slaves and owning sex slaves. Not only him but also his crew members, in an original text from one of his crewmen, Michel de Cuneo. “Y después que la hube llevado a mi camarote, y estando ella desnuda según es su costumbre, sentí deseos de holgar con ella. Quise cumplir mi deseo pero ella no lo consintió y me dió tal trato con sus uñas que hubiera preferido no haber empezado nunca. Pero al ver esto (y para contártelo todo hasta el final), tomé una cuerda y le di de azotes, después de los cuales echó grandes gritos, tales que no hubieras podido creer tus oídos. Finalmente llegamos a estar tan de acuerdo que puedo decirte que parecía haber sido criada en una escuela de putas.” In English, and after I took her to my stateroom, and while she was naked as their custom is, I felt desires of laying with her. I want to satisfy my desire but she didn’t want and gave me such a treatment with her nails that I think it would be better to never begun. But when I saw this (and to tell you everything up to the end), I take a rope and whipped her, after what she screamed a lot, in such a way you cannot believe your ears. Finally we reached such an agreement that I can tell you she appeared to be trained in a whore school. Not only Christopher Columbus, but also George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, as shown in The Patriot, as well. Popular culture does a nationalistic view of US history, not only popular culture but also the media. Truthfully, spreading just the positive culture of an individual seems wrong, people should be entitled to know the background of an individual, like when giving them a day. The videos, although remained pg, we’re still very educational and informative. No one likes to hear or see killings from a war or the burning and torturing of humans. Yet even if the videos we’re for children, everyone should have a right to be informed of what truthfully happened or is happening, regardless.
Ello' my classy classmates,
The unit we have been discussing in United States history is the American Revolution. In the late 18th century the thirteen colonies that later became the United States of America gained independence from the British was known as the American Revolution. The two Schoolhouse Rock videos were made to engage and educate children for them to understand how we became a free country. Although, the television series would not show inappropriate details because this would upset children. By excluding scenes of war, children don’t have a full comprehension of the information on America. Children are being blind-sided, just as I was in elementary school when I heard Christopher Columbus discovered America. Teachers told my classmates and I that he discovered America, but they left out important details such as him being a mass-murderer and killing a genocide of innocent humans. In the “No More Kings” episode the basic idea is that people took and stand are were able to overrule the British Army. The king in the video states “anything I say, do it my way now, anything I say do it my way. Don't you get to feelin' independent, cause I'm gonna force you to obey.” This quote reflects how the king and his colony thought that would have total control over America, but as shown in the Patriot, they retreated and lost the battle. A nationalistic view of America is defiantly portrayed in the videos; however a lack of immense details to show what people had to go through is not shown, because it is too vulgar. I feel the upcoming generation should be taught the right way, or shall I say the truth, and they will realize how America became such a free and independent country, and they should be proud of it.
see yall later,
Kristina Cats!
Ello' Mac,
As I was reading your response to this blog, I realized that other countries had no idea what we, America, had been thorugh. We fought for rights, independence, and equal opportunity. Most television series dont show the truth behind fighting because the scenes will disgust people. I feel if its the truth, it should be shown reguardless. The events shown in the videos, are precise and send the message across, but they are not expressing real details about how America became a free country, and how we fought the British away.
until next week,
Kristina Cats!
Janell McBean
A-Block
Popular culture does promote a nationalistic view of U.S History. This is very true in my opinion since anything that is believed to be popular, is going to have an impact whether it is right or wrong. This coming into conclusion with the film called the Patriot, that we watched in Global History. This film showed the violence and the chaos between the colonies and the British. For example, the colonies were seen as these brave, alert and easy going people. Just as Samantha said, "The colonies suffered and many did get hurt, but the video shows that the colonies made it so easy to win the Revolutionary war against the British. The video made the American Revolution look like a happy tale of fighting for liberty, and freedom." It's actually scary how true society really is. The truth will always be untold. Very powerful words from Samantha. Also, Christopher Columbus was never a hero in my eyes, a hero is not someone who takes someone else's pride and joy. Those hundreds and hundreds of Indians that were killed spent their lives growing and creating their land and most importantly, their lives on that land. America is not just about being rich and wealthy. There is much more to America than that, it's all about the quantity not the quality. But that just isnt the case anymore. You cant believe everything you hear, people say different things for different reasons. There is nothing innocent about society anymore. It's more so, what ever happens, happens. It's most positive that by the time something gets out, there is going to be a whole other story shortly after. Everyone goes by their opinion, not the facts. That is why I believe popular culture promotes a nationalistic view of U.S History.
Karmila Saulong
Block A
Oct. 18, 2007
I wholesomely agree with Samantha Goon’s statement about how our class is challenging everything we know about US history. This statement brings the question up about how popular culture promotes a nationalistic view of US history. After watching the Schoolhouse Rocks episodes, “No More Kings” and “The Shot Heard ‘Round The World” which were aired in the late 1970s to 1989. These shows were a portrayal of the public’s comprehension of the history of the US. However, these shows meant to be accurate but it showed only part of the truth behind our history. Like Samantha said, Columbus was portrayed as a heroic person but we eventually found out about his genocides and his mischievous tactics. I agree with Sam about how the video made the American Revolution look like it was a great story of how American gained independence and freedom. The video did miss a lot of key facts that did contribute to the history of the US. Many children were lied to throughout their childhood about Columbus and the American Revolution. We should have been educated about the bad along with the good. This does serve an economical, political, and cultural purpose in modern US history. We are informed about these events but we do not find out about how people took advantage of the Native Americans and how Slavery was a huge part of American history’s past. In modern US history, many people view America as having such great accomplishments but what many people did to achieve them were not right and we shouldn’t have to find out the truth.
Kristina,
I agree with what you said about how the videos didn't show the negative side of the American Revolution. and how the videos do show a nationalistic view of America. Even though we want the next generation to be taught the negative along with the positive sides of the Revolution, I do not believe that anything will change. And like what Janell said, people judge based on thier opinions and no the facts.
Karmila
Ama Kwakye
A Block
American History!!!
Popular culture helps promote nationalistic views of The United States History. The American Revolution was a devestating event that refers to the period during the last half of the 18th century . The United States of America gained independence from the British Empire. Popular culture promotes the American Revolution as a time period Americans should be proud of because we gained our independence but its not that sweet and dandy. It’s almost as if America is using media to reflect on our past for example "The school of Rock". The American Revolution was no where near enjoyable, as the struggle between the colonists and the British was evidently painful and sickening .People have been using media to spread the word about good and bad . weather we like it or not we promote nationalistic views of the Revolution, and more to children, toddlers and adults. This reminds me of propaganda because people tend to use media to spread the word about everything and tend to hide the bad things that go on in the world. It's interesting to me how when we were younger we were lied to about our history. Teachers made it seem like the world was so perfect and if there were wars it wasn't a big deal. Well today I think that should end because lying to kids about OUR history doesn't make anything better.
I agree with Samantha, KArmilla, Michela and Mariel. I am upset about the fact that when we were younger we were lied to, teachers made it seem like the world was so perfect and if something happened it was a small mistake. The lie that gets to me the most is ther lie that Christopher Coluymbus disvoered the America's. Till nexttime, BYe!
Kristina Sanzone*
A Block
AMAAAAA!!! =]
I'm totally with you, girl. You basically summed up my response for me. I despise the fact that we were lied to as children, but I do, however, like that we were told later on in our high school life since we are older and can handle the dramatic stress more. ; )
Kristina Sanzone*
A Block History
October 18, 2007 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!)
Does popular culture promote a nationalistic view of US History? What cultural, political or economic purpose does this serve in modern US society?
I find this assignment to be pretty darn cool considering the fact that we are able to view youtube clips to help us understand certain aspects of American history a little closer. Both these cartoon films brought out the point that as American’s, we sugar coat a lot of the accomplishments made by famous historical people. For example, in the “Schoolhouse Rock” video, they show how America was found and explain the Boston Tea Party along with a few other events. Christopher Columbus is probably the best example of all! Usually if you were to ask people, young children in particular, to describe Columbus they would say things like “he was a hero, a great man, and the man that founded America”. While this may be true to some people, it is most definitely not completely factual evidence. Columbus actually ordered his crew members to actually kill and slaughter a lot of the Indian tribes that were already residing on America before they arrived. Children, however, are sheltered from this information until they can understand that the world is not all beauty and grace.
After watching “The Patriot” in class, we are able to see the actual truths behind the American Revolution. Building off of what Sam Goon wrote in her entry, popular culture does promote a nationalistic view of U.S. History, even though it doesn’t show the nicest side of it all. Children’s videos simple show the gentle side of American history and they hold true facts and accomplishments that actually did occur and remain accurate. They also portray a nationalistic image to live off of. Slavery, however, is portrayed as a very comical thing in some children’s shows. In older, more mature videos it can be expressed freely. Sadly, since most Americans are taught that the growth of our country was all nice nice, they have not actually learned the deeper facts that hold the key to where we are today.
Melissa Laurore
A Block
Does popular culture promote a nationalistic view of U.S. History?
In the video "Schoolhouse Rock" , it showed the finding of the America’s in a entirely different light, than it happened. This Saturday morning cartoon show that aired in the late 1970's- 1989 was a children’s show. So I was able to understand why they wouldn’t put the truth about the killings and terrible wars that colony had to go through to gain their independence. The show told about the different struggles and main causes that lead to the colony revolting against England. In class we watched a movie called The Patriot. This movie showed true facts of the American revolution. The cartoon schoolhouse rock, also showed the events of the American revolution , but in a different light. In the cartoon it made things seem so easy and peaceful to gain their independence. The first video showed Columbus searching for a new land , and began to build a colony with the Indians. Christopher Columbus is being celebrated as a great guy , who did all these amazing things , which fact he shouldn’t even be accommodated for. He never was the great person he set out to be. He used, and manipulated people to get them to do as he wanted. When in fact Christopher Columbus found the new world, which he thought to be china. He told the king and queen that there was lots of gold and valuable things there, when in fact , there was little gold. They were accurate shows, except they didn’t show the in depth truth that went with it. It left out the trials and harsh times, both the Indians and Colonist went though. Everything that we thought about America , is being tested, in American history. To answer the question “ Does popular culture promote nationalist view of U.S history?” I say yes because it does promote nationalist views, and portrays history in ways that is easier for people to understand, but with out the violence.
Melissa Laurore
A block
Response
looking back at what mariel and kristina saying about teachers giving us a different veiw on america and ow we gained our independence. so that when we go on to highschool , like now , we learn a entirly different story thant what we have been tought almost half our life. Its funny to think about life one way, then being taught a new way, so suddenly and having to beliveve something so differently.
Popular culture most definitely represents a nationalistic view of U.S History, because every person in the world has that small portion of national pride. This less than once of pride tells you that your own country is the best country ever! To compare this to The Patriot Gabriel for if no other reason joins the army for it is what his country is telling him do, that opinion of his fellow countrymen trumps his father’s opinion. This film showed the violence and the chaos between the colonies and the British, and the Patriots (rebels) even though they had no real reason to stay fought for the thought of personal freedom from England. The Colonel of the English army played by Jason Isaacs, asked the captain coming to serve under him “Colonel William Tavington: Tell me, Captain Wilkins, where do your loyalties lie? Capt. Wilkins: To king and country, sir. Colonel William Tavington: And why should I trust a man who'd betray his neighbors? Capt. Wilkins: Those neighbors of mine who stand against England deserve to die a traitor's death. Colonel William Tavington: We'll see.” Though when asked to burn down the church Captain Wilkins hesitates for it is a sin, but yet again the country comes first and they burn the church though it is an immortal sin. Though some colonists would not follow orders so strictly and when ask why they were not voting for the war they would reply “Benjamin Martin: Why should I agree to trade one tyrant three thousand miles away for three thousand tyrants one mile away?” I will say this popular culture swayed some and not others so my answer is yes and then again no.
Gerald Lara
Block A
October 18,2007
The two youtube videos that were perscribed to block a, were two very similar views of how America Gained independence. these two brief introductions of Americ's independene were created in the 1970's to influence young americans thatthis is how the american revolution was dealt. this had some historical facts stored within the video, but were not entirely accurate as to what else they told you. the video, "no more kings", showed that the pilgrims were going to the new land, and to serve the king forever. the americans were not portrayed nor were the british as they were originally in the war. these simple, yet inciteful videos show only the perspective of patriotic illustrators. they don't show the true value of the american revolution.
Hey guys, First off i loved school house rock when i was like 6. I would watch it all the time. and better yet, i remember the one about the american revolution. Its amazing how we can take cartoons and really add true VALUE and MEANING to them! school house rock did their work, and props to them! anyway, since school house rock did a great job comparing the american revolution to the real historic moment, it can be said that most of it was pretty much true. Its interesting that it takes so little for children to understand such benchmark in history to creating the United States of America! The school house rock version was a great way to show the basic version. Using a musical song was catchy and also informative. Also I didnt even need to look up the lyrics, because the message was so clear but still extreamly insightful. So yes, pop culture does promote a postive view of U.S history. It just needs the right facts, and the perfect way to send the information to a younger audience. Most of the time, radio stations, and even the news, exagerate or even make a story seem so important, but it really isnt. When it comes to historic moments, mixed with pop culture, its two very different races!
< - V ! V Z - >
In my opinion, Yes! Popular culture does help to promote a "nationalistic" view of World History. The cartoon Schoolhouse Rock was a popular cartoon that helped to promote the battle between the Native Americans and, the colonists and, is still viewed today to see how bad things were back then. I personally think the Schoolhouse Rock was a good cartoon for kids and, even teens today because, it tells the truth about things that happened in past history. As fair as the theme song I felt it was fairly good for the simple reason that, it helped catch the attention of kids. My perspective on it all is that, Schoolhouse Rock was a good way to teach about history because it was fun,entertaining,yet educational and, straight to the point. So to answer the question, I would like to say, YES! popular culture helps to promote a nationalistic view of history.
matthew bowlin
The two video's on Youtube are seen in the eyes of an American. Of course no country wants to make themselves look bad so why not just show the good. Although SchoolHouse Rock was a great way of remembering subjects, i doubt that it was totally accurate. In American history, we are taught that the only war that was ever lost was the Vietnam War. If we were to get the opinion of other countries, i'm pretty sure we would hear different opinions. In my opinion, American history is bias in the way that it makes America and its allies seem like flawless countries. The countries that are not favored my America are undermined and are depicted as foolish in the SchoolHouse Rock cartoons. If we want the truth about American History, we should study its history from the view of many other countries and not just our own. who knows, if America does it, why wouldn't any other countries. I wouldn't be surprised if other countries teach their children of only the good of their country. Although a lot of the information may be false or the truth might be avoided, there is not considered unlawful. The curriculum we are taught cannot be interfered with by other countries.
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