The recent decision by the College Board to bow to pressures from reactionaries and revise the AP US History curriculum to include more about the founding fathers (read "old, rich white men") is hardly surprising. The College Board is part of the corporate education establishment (along with organizations like Pearson) which is increasing its domination of public education. As such, there is little they are willing to do to resist the right-wing attacks aimed at revising history so that it corresponds with their (and Fox News') worldview.
History can be a liberating force in our society, providing a basis for progressive and revolutionary movements. Or it can be a force which promotes the status quo and helps the rich and powerful maintain their dominance in society. In the past period, academic historians have moved decisively in the former direction. The American Historical Society is a good example. At the one convention I was able to attend, I was pleasantly surprised at the radical analysis which permeated the discussions. One particular workshop stands out in my mind. At this event, organized by the Society of Military Historians, the panelist discussed the Vietnam War. I found myself in agreement with almost everything they said. Howard Zinn would have undoubtedly have felt comfortable on the panel!
Hopefully the historians who teach our young people will not bow to corporate pressure and continue to teach the real history of the people of our country.
George Vlasits, July 31, 2015
Very well stated! Our history was not created by The College Board or the Disney Corporation either!
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