“The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” (Abraham Lincoln)
Does it bother you to see young America in tears, unable to work or go to school, because their candidate lost an election? Do you find it strange that a radical minority protests with violence, epithets and threats? Are you concerned by the vitriol posted by so many youth—on either side of the aisle—in this last election cycle?
I am not. This generation is simply reflecting a tragic tale they were taught. They learned and now live with a historical bias that influences their apathy, angst and anger. It started in the 1980s when the long-held historical narrative for America exceptionalism (America is unique, special and blessed) was slowly replaced with a new American frame: shame and guilt. We Americans are a “bad” and evil people.
But where did they get that idea? Look no further than the zen of Zinn.
Historian Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States” (1980) created an alternative (not to mention deeply flawed and inaccurate) revision of the U.S.A. story: Americans were (and still are) thieves, exploiters, imperialists, racists and oppressors.
Zinn’s book would be forgettable if wasn’t for the fact it became a cult best-seller and Hollywood fave (the movie “Good Will Hunting” gives a glowing recommendation). Zinn’s history has now replaced conventional American history books in many universities and high schools as the best (and only) interpretation of our country’s history. It’s what young America reads to understand our story. Unfortunately Zinn’s history, despite Damon’s review, is wrought with problems. Numerous historians and scholars, from both the left and the right, have reviewed Zinn’s analysis as inaccurate.
Zinn’s flawed historical analysis was further aided by leftist history professors and media who censored or revised the American story to fit their socialist and liberal narrative. These false histories have found widespread appeal among young Americans. Hollywood often revises history to create a box office smash. The inspiring movie Unbroken chronicled the soldier life of WW2 prisoner of war Louie Zamperini. The blockbuster spent hours telling Zamperini’s survival story but missed the whole reason he was “unbroken.” After all, Zamperini returned from his war experience with PTSD, broken, lost and eventually trapped in alcoholism. Zamperini only escaped his past and changed his future when he converted to Christianity at a Billy Graham crusade in 1949. Zamperini credited his Faith to being “unbroken.” The movie producers gave a single post-it note line to this change. It’s truly a shame. Want the real story, young America? Read the book.
American schools, especially in higher education, have become cesspools for leftist ideology since the 1960s. Throw in a liberal national media and narcissistic celebrity culture and you have a perfect recipe for ignorance and insolence. That’s why what you see in Seattle or Los Angeles or New York shouldn’t surprise anyone. These disaffected (or should I say “infected”) young people who spew anti-Trump epithets and anarchical rhetoric are the product of an education system that failed them. They learned their (revisionist) lessons well and are only exercising the objectives of the toxic propaganda they (tragically, even unknowingly) ingested.
It’s truly time young (and old) Americans heard less of Zinn and more of French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville, who penned his epic work “Democracy in America” in 1835. Tocqueville was commissioned by France to tour America and study her prisons but instead discovered what makes America truly great: democracy, entrepreneurship, faith and liberty. Listen to Alexis de Tocqueville’s historical analysis:
“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”
“Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”
“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.”
“The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.”
“As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?”
“The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.”
An honest and fair review of the American story will reveal many truths that contemporary historians and professors overlook, dismiss or deny because the facts don’t fit “their” narrative.
- They won’t tell you the Republican Party (of Abe Lincoln) was the party for black America until the mid/late 1960s.
- They won’t tell you the real Ku Klux Klan was founded and ruled by southern Democrats.
- They won’t tell you there were as many black slave owners in the South as white slave owners.
- They won’t tell you about Sarah Breedlove (a.k.a. “CJ Walker”), a freeborn black woman who was orphaned at 7, married at 14 and a widow/mother by 20. They won’t tell you how she then built a business that employed thousands and became the richest black woman in America by the early 1900s. And she did it without a penny from anyone. She succeeded without any government loan or handout.
- They won’t tell you in the war with Mexico (1846-1848) that America actually occupied Mexico City and controlled the country, but then forgave their debt and returned most of Mexico to our friends south of the border except for the territory north of the natural border of the Rio Grande river. Nor will they tell you how we have restored and “unoccupied” many nations once law and order (and democracy if they desired) was restored.
- They won’t tell you Republicans (and Christians) were the ones behind the abolition of slavery, woman’s suffrage and other social movements and institutions (from YMCAs to hospitals to schools).
- They won’t tell you Harvard, Yale and other Ivy League schools were founded to train the clergy.
There’s a lot they won’t tell you, because it contradicts their narrative. It’s far easier and effective to demonize those who disagree. Love trumps hate is just an empty slogan to the left. Their vitriolic and violent reaction to this election only proves the soullessness of the Democratic Party and the radical left.
I get their angst.
In 2008, I watched in sadness as Barack Obama captured the presidency with a call for “hope and change.” I disagreed vehemently with his vision for America. Backed by a Democratic House and Senate, President Obama began to dismantle and reform various American institutions. Between 2008-2010 Americans were placed under “Obamacare” (nothing narcissistic there), and were allowed to get “cash for [our] clunkers.” Obama ran up the national deficit and debt. In fact he has added more debt to our children’s futures than every president before him combined!
And yet, you never saw conservatives protesting in the streets, violently burning our cities. Yes, there are some on the right who can get salty in their rhetoric but I don’t recall a single “Kill Obama” sign or burning effigies of his image. Barack Obama, himself, stoked the hate for Trump in the campaign with his own heated rhetoric, something unheard of by a lame duck president. Most outgoing presidents (at least in my lifetime) have been passively and mostly silent on who will replace them. Not Barack Obama.
How did the right respond to the left’s 2008 victory? It produced the Tea Party revolution that swept away both the House and Senate from Barack in 2010 and 2012. President Obama’s radical reforms were neutralized by the ballot box. That’s how it should be.
That’s the American way.
Peaceful, non-violent protest is also the American way. But don’t kid yourselves. The left isn’t interested in peaceful protest. They never have been. Just study the history of the Weather Underground. The modern Democratic Party, including both Hillary Clinton and President Obama, were highly influenced by the pioneers of American hate.
It’s truly time we changed the story and rescind Zinn’s failed historical narrative. It’s time we taught the emerging school children the true history of America. It’s not hard to find that history either. Just read a history text from 1950 or 1920 or even 1875 (they exist). There’s still time to make America great again, my friends. I’m not sure Donald Trump can deliver on all his promises but “we the people” should at least give him and the Republicans the same courtesy Barack Obama received.
Otherwise we are seeding the next great American Civil War.
Yes, history can repeat itself too. And it will if we aren’t careful.