A lot of great nations have rich history of their own, whether it is bad or it is good. The
United States of America has great history and tradition, from the Revolutionary War to the occupation of Afghanistan. When people who write about history discuss that of the United
States, they often consider how eminent this country is and the great deeds other people of that country have done. Historians who write about the history of America often write about how it has had a share of great heroes from Christopher Columbus, Woodrow Wilson, George
Washington, Abraham Lincoln, etc.. Nevertheless, historians often seem to not remember to mention the real heroes of America like, for example, John Brown and the Native Americans.
Much of the history that historians write about don't always show precision. Since many historians only write about one side of history, it only makes it worse by not revealing the factuality of history and creates an erroneous image of what really took place. Many of our nation's great leaders have been distinguished as individuals who have the best interest of the country and every action they take on behalf of the country befittingly. For instance, in the book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James Loewen, he writes, "Under
[president] Wilson, the United States intervened in Latin America more often than at any other time in our history." (Loewen, 16). What reason did the United States have to start an intervention in countries that are diminuitive in size and population and are poverty-stricken? The only thing that the United States gained from the intervention of the poor Latin American countries was merely for their own well-being. They imposed on those poor innocent people and gerrymandered the government for cheaper manual labor. The intervention in Latin America was never for accomodation, but for political power. However, when historians write about
Presidents Wilson's intervention; they share a story in a whole different perspective and never develop any implications. According to Loewen, "It is fascinating to watch textbook authors attempt to justify these episode" (Loewen, P. 17) and try to give President Wilson a positive image.
Because authors are making excuses for President Wilson's actions, it's creating injustice for those people who are seeking the historical truth. As a result of the author's unfavorable information, it is creating uncertainty in other people's minds since no one knows whether historians are telling the truth or simply lying to their teeth by establishing all these vindications for these so-called American heroes. Christopher Columbus is by far one of our nation's most celebrated heroes. His name is so synonymous that there's even a special holiday named after him. When you have your own holiday it usually signifies that you have been doing some random acts of kindness, such as
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. On the other hand, there are a whole lot bunch of things that
Columbus did, in which many of us don't know about. These deeds would be recognized as cowardly and would change a lot of individuals' opinions if they knew the the real facts. If they did, he would not be contemplated as an American hero. A few of Columbus' action started with "taking the land wealth and labor from indigenous in the Western Hemisphere" (Loewen
53) and almost "leading to near extermination" (Loewen 53). However, this side of Columbus is hardly written about as authors tend to stay away from. "In 1989, President George H.W. Bush invoked Columbus as a role model for the nation" (Loewen 60). Since he was the commander-in-chief during that time, no one would ever dare to impeach his accord because he was the great leader one of the most robust countries in the world. Although President Bush's views of Christopher Columbus showed only the bright side, he created this positive image of Columbus leaving out of the horrific part of looting and enslaving the American Indians. What would have really happened if President Bush had exposed the truth and Columbus' dark side? Would Americans believe him or would they think of him as deceiving? To steer clear of any opposing thoughts towards Americans, he expressed admiration for these fictitious heroes to make the American people believe that
Columbus was a true hero. Since Columbus is such of great heroism, let's take a look at some of his greatest accomplishments that consist of when "Columbus installed the encomienda system" (Loewen 56), which basically meant making Indians become slaves. However, that is something that President Bush would not reveal to American citizens about Columbus' image being a bit dirty. Because of Columbus' idea to start the encomienda, it gave countries like Spain to start "Following Columbus' example, Spain made the encomienda system official policy on Haiti in 1502" (Loewen 57), which brought rigorous labor to the Indians. As a result, of looking over the favorable outcome of Columbus' actions
"other conquistadors subsequently introduced it to Mexico, Peru, and Florida" (Loewen 57) after which became commonly widespread lasting for hundreds of years. However, our school system has never been taught this kind of information. Because "so long as they simply celebrate Columbus rather than teach both sides of his exploit" (Loewen 66). If educators would take the time to teach the truth and not always rely on what was written in textbooks, they would do less harm to individuals and "encourage us to identify with western exploitation rather than study it" (Loewen 66). The truth would allow individuals to form their own opinion about the accurate history of Columbus. Why is it that at every level of education, all of this information is not being taught?
Conceivably it would blemish the great image of American history. Because historians have absolutely no idea of what they are writing about, a lot of Columbus' upbringing still remains unsolved. For instance, one historian wrote that Christopher Columbus "claimed to be from
Genoa, Italy, and there is evidence that he was." (Loewen 48). However, there is confusion that he wasn't from Italy since "Columbus didn't seem to be able to write in Italian ..... Even when writing to people in Genoa" (Loewen 48). As students, who should believe when our history is scattered all over the place, agree that historians don't want to face the fact that Columbus is not a hero, that President Bush and other historians portray him to be. This Good Samaritan
"not only opened the door to the new world" (Loewen 60), but became the reason why all the land was found. However, what they are forgetting is that "beyond act of individuals' cruelty, the
Spanish disrupted the Natives' ecosystem and culture" (Loewen 57), in which Christopher
Columbus had started. When individuals celebrate Columbus Day, individuals are celebrating an American hero, but what historians are failing to tell the citizens is that this great hero dehumanized the female natives by "rewarding his lieutenant with native women to rape." (Loewen 56). This was something that was acceptable back then, but if he would have done it in today's society, it would be considered a heinous crime.
However, most historians are not willing to write about those actions because if they did write about his real actions, there wouldn't be a Columbus Day. Instead he would be considered an man of pure evil who is a threat to society. Why take up all this time and energy towards trying to evade Christopher Columbus and Woodrow Wilson's actions? When we had a true American hero in John Brown in which no one seems to care to talk about and only a few individuals know about him. In the book, America's Revolutionary Heritage, by George Novack, he points out "John Brown was a revolutionary terrorist" (Novack 277) as well as an abolitionist.
However, in other individuals' minds, he was portrayed as an absolute lunatic and his actions were anything but heroic. According to what Novack wrote about John Brown, "At an early age he had sworn eternal war against slavery" (Novack 278), and fought alongside to help end slavery. For example, according to Loewen, "Eight other books, new and older, are negative although they don't imply that he was crazy" (Loewen 175). However, there's no reason why historians should be negative towards John Brown since "there was nothing alien or exotic about him; he was a genuine product of the American soil (Novack 277). and he was just an individual who fought for the rights of others. Other historians, however, historians have a more distinct view of John Brown, and characterize Brown in a whole different way. For example, "The American ways, tells a whopper," [L]ater Brown's actions proved that he was an abolitionist. However, a few key points historians forget to mention regarding John Brown was that he was "discussing plans for the establishment of a Negro school" (Novack 278). A person who's that mentally ill would not have the will to think accurately, by historians focusing on the wrong side of John Brown.
History creates an untrue depiction of John Brown noting that he was mentally ill. It makes history really harmful to all those who seek the truth because they have not been exposed to the full truth. John Brown was well-known and respected within the African American society.
"Many black leaders, like Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, and others knew and respected Brown for his heroic effort in trying to stop slavery. As Frederick Douglass once called Brown "one of the greatest heroes known to American fame" (Loewen 180).
Not only are historians undermining John Brown's heroic effort, but the history of America as well because they are leaving out an important event that happened with John Brown as his actions started to formulate adjustments for the African slaves. According to PBS.org,
Frederick Douglass, was a strong intellect in which he became that would give orations and "would become a leading spokesperson for the abolition of slavery and for racial equality"
(pbs.org). If John Brown's actions aren't heroic, then what is? Christopher Columbus' actions are far less heroic than Brown's, as he stole, slaughtered, and enslaved the American Indians.
President Woodrow Wilson condoned the Jim Crow laws. and allowed segregation to happen between blacks and whites. According to the article, Rise and Fall of Jim Crow, "the Jim Crow laws targeted
African Americans which resulted in segregation and they were used with such bad intention that led to violence and discrimination and brought poverty to African Americans." (pbs.org).
This was far less heroic on the part of Woodrow Wilson. However they are not true American heroes contingent on their actions. Instead their demeanor is detrimental because this approach that others have on American history is great and pure and would be seen as harmful to those who find out what the truth really is. As we look at what we learn about history today and the efficiency of what is being said, it doesn't seem to match with the event that really came about. How can the educational system interest the new generation in history? For beginners, it starts with the truth about what really happened with the Native Americns, African American slaves, and the truth about
Christopher Columbus' actions and not to make false his image to make the American citizens believe in a notion that is unreal. Americans that celebrate Columbus give the citizens a real reason to celebrate, not by lying to them on how great Christopher Columbus was. History should be taught with the real story, to honor those who really made an impact on the lives of many. For example, John Brown, Native Americans, Black slaves, Frederick Douglass, and other people who stood up and fought for those who were impotent to keep themselves from any danger. Real heroes who altruistically risk their lives and stood up for what was right. Real heroes do not only make a change for the present, but they do so for future generations as well.
Unless history is told with honesty and truthfulness, we'll be unable to fully understand history and we'll continue to be harmed by it.