Roy Exum: A Life Lesson In History

  • Friday, September 26, 2014
  • Roy Exum
Roy Exum
Roy Exum

When the students in Colorado’s second-largest school district staged a walk-out that included hundreds on Tuesday, it was in itself a wonderful history lesson in American history. That is why over 1,000 left classes at several high schools in Jefferson County – in and around the city of Golden – because they want their helping of history class served cold, not sugar-coated as some hand-wringers now propose.

In a puzzling and befuddling way, the Jefferson County School Board has turned quite conservative in thought and direction the last few years and – get this – the Board wants to establish a committee that will regularly review and dictate text plans and course outlines.

Why? They claim there is a need to “promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free-market system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights.” (Does that sound like a misguided ad from the Republican National Committee?)

At the same time, the Board hopes to play down subject matter that “encourages or condones civil disorder, social strife or disregard for the law.” You know, stuff like the Boston Tea Party, Rosa Parks’ Bus Ride, that day of 9/11/1993, and The War Between The States, not to mention those “upstarts” who finally had enough of the British Crown and bravely signed the Declaration of Independence.

During Tuesday’s walk-out, one enterprising kid held up a sign that said it all: “People Didn’t Die So We Could Erase Them.” And everywhere the students walked they chanted, "It's our history, don't make it mystery!”

Julie Williams, one of the School Board matrons, told a Colorado school website that the Board wants to be mindful of the past: “There are some things we may not be proud of as Americans but we shouldn’t be encouraging our kids to think America is a bad place.”

But high school senior Tyrone Parks is of a different opinion, just from what he has learned already. Civil protests have played a huge role in the way our country was formed. “Everything that we’ve done is what has allowed us to be at this point today. If you take that away from us, you take away everything America was built off of.”

Tori Leu, a 17-year-old at a high school in Arvada, believes nothing is more patriotic than standing up for what you believe. “I don’t think my education should be censored. We should be able to know what has happened in our past.”

The media was briefed in a statement read by Arvada West High senior Jack Shefin. “Students at my school plan to walk out of classes in protest of the Jeffco school board’s new proposed Advanced Placement U.S. History Curriculum Revision Committee which aims to teach students to become more ‘patriotic’ and less ‘rebellious’ by portraying the history of our country in a better light.”

Oh, the whole thing is patently absurd. In Texas there is a huge move by conservatives to replace history books with newer “versions” that – quite frankly -- are “more Christian” and in South Carolina the conservative “red-wings” are asking the College Board to rewrite its framework to assure there is no “ideological bias,” whatever that really means.

Nathan Woodliff-Stanley, the executive director of the ACLU of Colorado, could hardly contain his excitement. "It’s ironic that an attempt to downplay examples of social change being accomplished through civil disobedience has spurred a community-wide crash course in just how important it is to be able to speak out and question authority in a just and democratic society.”

Earlier the Jefferson County school system was under the microscope when teachers staged a “sick day” that closed at least two schools because the board wanted to tie in raises with class performance but all Superintendent Dan McMinimee wants is peace. He said he respects the students and their opinions “but I do prefer that our students stay in class."

royexum@aol.com


Latest Headlines
Opinion
Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 28
  • 3/28/2024

Budget becomes central focus in final weeks of 113th General Assembly Members of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee this week were briefed by Finance and Administration Commissioner ... more

Senate Republican Caucus Weekly Wrap March 28
  • 3/28/2024

This week on Capitol Hill lawmakers were hard at work passing meaningful legislation to improve the lives of Tennesseans as the General Assembly begins to wind down. Public safety was a big focus ... more