Start writing a post
Politics

Your textbook only tells you so much.

182
The Power Within Us

What does it mean to be American to you? Think about who you are as a person, your place in society, your contributions, your faith, your values, your morals. What about your neighbors? Are they similar to you? Different? What shaped your view of an American? Was it someone you met? Something you were taught? Personally, it's been my exposure to everything in society and my education, that told me to believe in someone being a cookie cutter American, but, boy, was I wrong.

I've always been fascinated with American history. I never knew why, but the whole concept of finding a whole new land, and starting something new, seemed so refreshing and magical. In school, and in society, we always blurred over the beginning and the most recent parts of American history. I'm sure in most schools it was the same. All of us were eager to get to read about the great American heroes and their contributions to this country, but we could care less about how this came about and the effect of it today. It wasn't until I was older that I found this concept so sickening.

American history started long before your textbook told you. Native Americans roamed this land for many years and developed their own history and contributions. They created innovative technology, harvested the land, had unique languages, formed pacts, had wars, settled arguments, created religious practices, and so much more. Their history deserves just as much recognition as any other. People constantly say how young America is, but we're not. We have a very old and richly seeded history, we just choose to ignore it. We never focus on it because we're scared of admitting how wrong we were to massacre and quiet these people. These very important Native Americans have contributed so much to the world. In fact, Native American history started nearly fourteen thousand years ago, and new scientific research suggests is started even earlier, perhaps 26 thousand years ago. That's a long time and a lot of history for us to just blur over it and to call ourselves a young, babycountry. That's ignorant. We have a rich history right beneath us, but why do we continue to ignore it?

It's not just the lack of teaching history that harms Native Americans, but our continued and persistent ignorance of their values. We have yet to admit that this is their land and that they held this land long before us. Instead, Native Americans were not fully US citizens until 1924, and not even a hundred years before that, their people were massacred in one of the biggest genocides in history. But, sadly, we'll never apologize.

We cannot erase them any longer.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55186
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35549
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957619
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

185052
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments