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Monday, October 13, 2014

Columbus Day -- 2014 edition

Today, my children went to school.

One of them came home calling it Incas day?

I don't even know.

I do know that Columbus Day is not a part of the first grade curriculum in first grade.

And I'm okay with that.

I mean, it's barely historically correct anyway, and I really don't feel like having to explain what "smallpox" blankets and "biggest douches ever" mean to my six year olds.

So, thank you, Florida School system.

Thank you for ignoring this day.

I remember, up until ten years ago, when I was in college the first time, we all got the day off. That changed.

That's good.

But more needs to change.

History can no longer be taught as "the victor writes the books". We are a global neighborhood now. We are fully entrenched in what every other continent is doing. Therefore, our history and their history blend together.

Because they are the same history.

And for every "victor" there is a "loser". And their history matters. And it's getting louder.

And we need to pay attention to it.

Because history shouldn't be the cutesy stories of a midnight ride in 1776 or sailing the ocean blue in 1492.

Not anymore.

Not when "the unknown enemy" has become, you know, a person. Like he always was.

So, yes, thank you.

Thank you for ending the ridiculous fluffy lies you were content to regurgitate for centuries.





 

1 comment:

  1. Here in South Dakota, it is now "Native American Day." I'm a little surprised no one else in the country has caught on.

    ReplyDelete