This has got to be one of the saddest stories I've ever read. One of the things that really bothers me about these stories is that we don't learn about these types of events growing up. Of course the U.S isn't going to make sure that the truth about how minority groups were treated makes it into the curriculum but these stories just prove how much is kept from us. From Kindergarten we think that Europeans came over and became best friends with the Indians and we both share information and products and we all get along and sit down together for the Thanksgiving feast. Slavery is brought up but is usually a very short chapter and is moved away from very quickly. The only real horrific event that I learned about in my public school was the Holocaust but that was in Europe and NOT the U.S so I guess it's okay to share other country's dirty laundry just not ours. Later down the road we realize that Europeans came to the "New World" and shoved the Indians out after taking everything away, raping their women, and destroying their villages. We focus more on slavery and exactly what was done, how it worked, and the horrible ways African Americans were treated and forced to live. Then we learn even more about the Holocaust and more in-depth stories and that the U.S government knew about the events of the Holocaust but didn't take action as soon as they could have. So we grow up thinking how nice it is to be from a country that is so humane and so kind to others but then we get stories like this and are once again proven wrong. I just wish that stories like this didn't have to wait until college because I think the truth should be told at the youngest age possible (but also taking maturity into mind). Though I do think the U.S is a great country and I'm proud to be born and raised here, it isn't fair to pretend that past Americans didn't do anything wrong and that our country has a perfect history.
In your public school did you learn the true stories about settlement/slavery/immigration/the Holocaust or did you hear the fairy tale stories like I did? Also, to relate back to the story, why do you think it was so important for immigration officials to take children away from their immigrant parents?
Authorities find it important to separate children from their immigrant parents for partially the same reason we learn sugar-coated versions of history in school: indoctrination. Both officers and teachers on creating Americans and they typically have very ethnocentric definitions of the word "American."Lae Choo's child illustrates the cultural degradation and rejection that occurs when the state raises children. As children, we are taught in school that America is the best country in the world and that we have to be good citizens as defined by authority figures. Why do you think we said the pledge of allegiance every morning before school?
ReplyDeleteWhile maturity and depth of understanding must be considered, children should learn the whole truth about history. My parents were open with me about difficult issues starting at a young age, and I believe I am more empathetic and aware because of this. We need to learn from our past mistakes in order to create a better world.