History lessons are a bunch of names and dates that you have to learn by heart. We went there, we made this place, we came back with this shit, we made a church. Here’s a family tree. Even when learning about battles and borders, we don’t get to ask “why were they here? Why were we there?” We just know that we were at war because this king and that king disagreed. Sometimes, at best, one of them just wants control of this location or someone’s wife banged the wrong duke, but that’s almost only for intra European conflicts - and Jerusalem.
Ethnic social issues came very late. Jews and other wandering populations are completely ignored.
History lessons don’t have to be that way, that’s just the way they’ve decided to present these topics to remove the horrible shit their countries did during them
I’ll start by saying that I didn’t pay too much attention during history classes, but it probably just puts me closer to the average person on that topic.
The way I remember history classes (I’m from Poland), is that they were heavily focused on our country (excluding sections where we talked about ancient history, obviously) and on how our country fought to keep existing. The wars it had with its neighbors, the fights over land, etc. And Poland didn’t really participate in colonialism, so it was just mentioned that other countries went to Africa and got slaves, but that’s mostly it. And we knew that slavery is bad. But there wasn’t too much effort on elaborating on this topic. Partially because that realization is still trickling in.
I’m simplifying a lot, but I think that’s mostly what you’d carry out of those lessons. Maybe there was a week where we talked about the civil war in America, but that’s very little compared to the rest of the topics, so it doesn’t stay with you.
If you consider the history of Poland, it kind of makes sense. There was a lot of struggle to not be eradicated, to preserve our culture, etc. And that’s reflected in what we learn in school.
And I’m not defending the way it is now. I personally don’t like how “selfish” the point of view in those classes is. But I am sharing my experiences and thoughts, to add some context.
Is it really self reflection when the question is. Should a HUMAN be punched in the face.
The issue is, they think they aren’t human, so they don’t even stop to think. Kids should be taught that everyone is equal, not the specifics of racism, what does that accomplish? Just reinforces that they think they aren’t human?
… So those lessons on the many centuries of European colonization** included zero self reflection on the racism involved?
History lessons are a bunch of names and dates that you have to learn by heart. We went there, we made this place, we came back with this shit, we made a church. Here’s a family tree. Even when learning about battles and borders, we don’t get to ask “why were they here? Why were we there?” We just know that we were at war because this king and that king disagreed. Sometimes, at best, one of them just wants control of this location or someone’s wife banged the wrong duke, but that’s almost only for intra European conflicts - and Jerusalem.
Ethnic social issues came very late. Jews and other wandering populations are completely ignored.
History lessons don’t have to be that way, that’s just the way they’ve decided to present these topics to remove the horrible shit their countries did during them
I’ll start by saying that I didn’t pay too much attention during history classes, but it probably just puts me closer to the average person on that topic.
The way I remember history classes (I’m from Poland), is that they were heavily focused on our country (excluding sections where we talked about ancient history, obviously) and on how our country fought to keep existing. The wars it had with its neighbors, the fights over land, etc. And Poland didn’t really participate in colonialism, so it was just mentioned that other countries went to Africa and got slaves, but that’s mostly it. And we knew that slavery is bad. But there wasn’t too much effort on elaborating on this topic. Partially because that realization is still trickling in.
I’m simplifying a lot, but I think that’s mostly what you’d carry out of those lessons. Maybe there was a week where we talked about the civil war in America, but that’s very little compared to the rest of the topics, so it doesn’t stay with you.
If you consider the history of Poland, it kind of makes sense. There was a lot of struggle to not be eradicated, to preserve our culture, etc. And that’s reflected in what we learn in school.
And I’m not defending the way it is now. I personally don’t like how “selfish” the point of view in those classes is. But I am sharing my experiences and thoughts, to add some context.
Poland was too busy being enslaved by ottomans, tatars and russians to care about racism.
ottomans and tatars?
Yes it was an empire filled with extremely aesthetic chairs for some reason
For many centuries. Google “jasyr”.
People avoid self-reflection until the last possible moment. It’s unideal, but unsurprising, especially when one sees themselves as uninvolved.
Is it really self reflection when the question is. Should a HUMAN be punched in the face.
The issue is, they think they aren’t human, so they don’t even stop to think. Kids should be taught that everyone is equal, not the specifics of racism, what does that accomplish? Just reinforces that they think they aren’t human?