To think in terms of nations? I just never got this. Seems too likely to lead to hyper-patriotism. Not much into that.
As I traveled the world I saw amazing works in the most ordinary of places, an alleyway in Prague etc, e.g. as I have traveled in the US-virtually everyewhere on the Blue Highways- I see homogeneity in the architecture and urban design as well as ideological. This is not simply a republican phenomenon. I think there is a certain character trait of american arrogance that is certainly noted by other folks in other parts of the world. Sorry for the generalizations.
The land and rivers is what speaks to me in America.
Horatio Alger myth of America dies hard.
Book: “Lies my Teacher Told Me” by James Loewen
Reviewer: Christopher Harrington (1/11/03)
Loewen’s book is an in-depth analysis of American History Textbooks. With a focus on twelve commonly used books as a basis for teaching High School Social Studies, the author raises numerous questions and complaints about the presentation, fact validity, and selective format these popular texts choose to employ. Furthermore, Loewen explores what the impact of using such books have on the psyche and education of the American students.
The back of book contains the bold claim that this book reveals the “(s)tartling Truths about the Myths and Misinformation of American History”. Loewen’s claim is that patriotism, nationalism, and action rationalization fills our textbooks, where inquiry, discussion, accountability and thought-provoking analysis should reside. These textbooks are more concerned with painting national heroes than portraying real people, with their faults. The American government, especially in war, is portrayed as always being just and right.
James Loewen is a sociology professor at University of Vermont who has spent a considerable portion of his time analyzing and reviewing American History textbooks. His criticism is not only limited to the items that the authors choose to include (along with their often simplistic representations of history) but also the subjects which are ignored. Loewen contends that History is vitally important to the education and upbringing of all people. However, the goal of an American History book should not to be to create “better citizens”, but to create citizens who are better informed. However, out of the twelve textbooks reviewed, he could not recommend a single one of them.
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As we move through the history of the early American nation, it’s quite evident that the relationship between the Native Americans and American settlers is primary. There is cognitive dissonance evident in settler’s writing. Originally, the “Indians” were ‘novel, intelligent, and well-organized’. However, once the settlers are engaged in war with them, these societies become ‘hostile, savage, stupid, primitive’. There is an excellent map in the book that shows European settlements and locations of Native American tribes. It’s very evident that the indigenous people served as “buffer zones” between the warring European powers.
http://www27.brinkster.com/mookieghana/docs/lies.htmlHow about reverence for the natural endowments?