George Santayana famously taught, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." It is often misquoted as "those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it." The misquote assumes that the danger derives from men and women forgetting the past. Santayana, however, was also addressing those who never learn the past in the first place, like most of our kids today.
Certainly we Americans and all who wish to live in democracies need to teach and learn more history. But understanding history requires understanding the tensions and contentions behind past conflicts. History cannot be learned by rote. It is not just the dates of victories or offenses causing grudges. It should not be romanticized. We need all sides to the story. For example, our constitution was the result of many compromises. How? What tensions result?
It's unfortunate .... and has been a slow decline - in my opinion - since the 70s - as many in the teaching profession think badly of American excellence. History can be studied as an adult and there are many free/fee sources, but one must have the motivation to do it. Walter Isaacson has written several good books on the revolutionary period - and there are many others. The country was founded on - at the time - real revolutionary principles. Yes, it has taken time to make them come true for all Americans - but it is happening - if citizens study and learn and practice ... AND turn off their media.
Certainly we Americans and all who wish to live in democracies need to teach and learn more history. But understanding history requires understanding the tensions and contentions behind past conflicts. History cannot be learned by rote. It is not just the dates of victories or offenses causing grudges. It should not be romanticized. We need all sides to the story. For example, our constitution was the result of many compromises. How? What tensions result?
It's unfortunate .... and has been a slow decline - in my opinion - since the 70s - as many in the teaching profession think badly of American excellence. History can be studied as an adult and there are many free/fee sources, but one must have the motivation to do it. Walter Isaacson has written several good books on the revolutionary period - and there are many others. The country was founded on - at the time - real revolutionary principles. Yes, it has taken time to make them come true for all Americans - but it is happening - if citizens study and learn and practice ... AND turn off their media.