history – Opinions

Oct. 27, Kathleen Wellman, Dedman Family Distinguished Professor of History SMU Dallas, for a commentary critical of efforts by right-leaning Christian groups to inordinately influence curriculum to match a faith-based world view. Published in Religion News Service under the heading The right’s attacks on critical race theory are an attempt to hijack history in schools — again: https://bit.ly/3GoF6nP

(RNS) — School board meetings across the nation have grown contentious in recent months as Americans have stepped up to microphones to protest what they’ve been told is a pandemic of teaching about critical race theory — a method of legal analysis practiced in law schools and graduate programs that examines how racism is embedded in our social institutions. Educators, in return, have responded that they don’t teach primary and secondary schoolers CRT.

This drama, which has become a key issue in political campaigns that will be decided next month, is based on fears that teaching about race will challenge the traditional story of an unproblematic and unquestionably exceptional America. In that, the fight over CRT is nothing new: It’s just the latest attempt by the political right playbook to distort the teaching of history.

Continue reading “The right’s attacks on critical race theory are an attempt to hijack history in schools — again”

Dec. 31, Alexis McCrossen, history professor at SMU Dallas, for a piece reviewing the perils of 2020 but demonstrating from historical examples that Americans can overcome difficult times and thrive. Published in the Made By History/Perspectives Section of the Washington Post with the heading 2020 was a tough year. Here’s how we can make it mean something: http://wapo.st/2WXnc67

During 2020, many people experienced devastating personal losses of loved ones, jobs, prospects and opportunities due to covid-19. The world slid deeper toward devastating climate change. A raw outbreak of racial violence came home to roost. And the presidential election ended with a full-fledged assault on democracy.

How can we reconcile the grief and pain and look forward to a better 2021?

A look back at two other New Year’s after troubled times, in 1862 and 1941, should give us inspiration. Both years resulted in tremendous death and destruction. On the last day of 1862, 10,000 men died in a Civil War battle in Tennessee. While Europe and some parts of Asia were at war in 1941, Americans were largely spared the worst effects of the widening global conflict until Dec. 7 of that year, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, leaving 2,403 Americans dead.

Continue reading “2020 was a tough year. Here’s how we can make it mean something.”