StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Who Owns History - The Texas Textbook Controversy by Wheeler and Becker - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
As the paper "Who Owns History - The Texas Textbook Controversy by Wheeler and Becker" tells, history is the study of the past and in particular, that has to deal with human beings is crucial in our daily lives. It applies to all fields; be it in our study, work, and even in our social lives…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.1% of users find it useful
Who Owns History - The Texas Textbook Controversy by Wheeler and Becker
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Who Owns History - The Texas Textbook Controversy by Wheeler and Becker"

Apart from the protest, public comments and also hearings have played a part in deciding what students in colleges will be learning as their history. (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 354). It has necessitated an action to be taken by the Texas Board of Education in deciding what to give to the students and what to live out. It has brought such a heated debate amongst people from all fields. Many people are insisting that only a few segments of history should be taught to students. Therefore, it should include the role played by capitalists in the American economy and nation-building, and the role played by the military in their respective fields. In addition, roles played by Christians and their faith, and the last should be the role played by republican figures. (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 361) If these changes are effected, it means that even the other states will be affected by the same. Texas as a state buys millions of books each and every year. They also make sure that their publications are of high standards, and this makes other states willing their books. They also review their curriculum once every ten years, in accordance with the Texas educational standards. The voting line, on what to be taught or not, will depend largely on the party lines; this is republicans and democrats. It is because individual parties believe there are aspects that should be shown and others to be left out. There are those who think history in America has been diluted, while others believe that history should just be rewritten. It has, therefore, led to the creation of conservatives and liberals, who at the end of the day have different thoughts and opinions on American history (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 371).

 Conservatives are mostly outside Texas, and they are found in states such as California. Their argument is that history should not be changed or rewritten. It will in turn see their history books remain the same as before. Liberals, on the other hand, believe that history changes, and therefore it is good to incorporate some of these changes in our modern history books. In a move to change some parts of history, there was some history that must be modified to accommodate new history. Some of the suggestions include; the replacement of the word ‘slave trade’ with ‘triangular trade’ to drop the evil acts of buying and selling of human beings, and dropping one name of the Enlightenment figures.

Thomas Jefferson whose work pieces inspired many revolutions, America being for Americans are also, proposing reducing the role of Latinos in 'American history (Wheeler and Becker, 376-381). Some anonymous publishers have been quoted saying that for them change is as good as a rest, and so they are willing to go ahead with them. History is important to everyone, and therefore if one is not satisfied with the above-suggested changes, they can go ahead and lobby their states to avoid the changes being affected. It can also go well with not allowing Texas to rewrite the history books. The one thing all of us should know is that a national controversy has resulted and the end results will depend on how we handle it. Regardless of political parties, states, religion as well as the opinions that we hold.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Chapter 11, Who Owns History The Texas Textbook Controversy found in Essay”, n.d.)
Chapter 11, Who Owns History The Texas Textbook Controversy found in Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1669222-chapter-11-who-owns-history-the-texas-textbook-controversy-found-in-wheeler-discovering-the-american-past-volume-ii-7th-edition-pages-349-384
(Chapter 11, Who Owns History The Texas Textbook Controversy Found in Essay)
Chapter 11, Who Owns History The Texas Textbook Controversy Found in Essay. https://studentshare.org/history/1669222-chapter-11-who-owns-history-the-texas-textbook-controversy-found-in-wheeler-discovering-the-american-past-volume-ii-7th-edition-pages-349-384.
“Chapter 11, Who Owns History The Texas Textbook Controversy Found in Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1669222-chapter-11-who-owns-history-the-texas-textbook-controversy-found-in-wheeler-discovering-the-american-past-volume-ii-7th-edition-pages-349-384.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Who Owns History - The Texas Textbook Controversy by Wheeler and Becker

American History Textbook Analysis and Comparisons

This dissertation "American History textbook Analysis and Comparisons" conducts a comprehensive textbook analysis of various textbooks from the American setting and the British setting.... In some cases, such a practice tends to distort and bend some of the facts behind history.... This will be done from the viewpoint where the true identity of the African American will be understood through their history.... Indeed, the history of the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968) establishes a lot about the identity of the African American population because it brings to bear their dreams and aspirations for the future, including how they would want people to perceive them....
15 Pages (3750 words) Dissertation

Textbook Prices

“A Cover to Cover Solution: How Open Textbooks are the Path to textbook Affordability" is given an in-depth overview in this paper.... Bernard Tara Siegel “For Class, Book Deals”, Bruno Laura “College Books for Less”, Smith Craig “Law that Takes Effect in July Aimed at Controlling textbook Costs”, these are some of the papers that were characterised in current annotated bibliography.... “A Cover to Cover Solution: How Open Textbooks are the Path to textbook Affordability....
4 Pages (1000 words) Annotated Bibliography

Stamp Act of the Mexican Revolution

Signed the texas declaration of Independence in the Convention of 1836.... Was a critical point in the texas revolution.... In the 20th century, the texas labeled Alamo as a prominent place.... It was enacted to counter the Mexico texas issue, which posed as a risk to be annexed by USA.... Came intact because of a Mexican general who wanted colonization of texas through military occupation and trade.... Initiated by the desire of USA to purchase Mexican texas which was declined by the President of Mexico....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Misleading American History Textbooks

Institution: Instructor: Misleading American history Textbooks Thanksgiving, Columbus, free speech and liberty are words that revolve around the American curriculum.... These ideas have been found to be quite questionable, thus American history textbooks are filed with lies and misleading information that makes them heavy for no reason and at the same time confusing students.... This is the reason why as an international student, I have decided to carry out a research that airs my viewpoints about US history....
4 Pages (1000 words) Research Paper

High Cost of Textbooks - Problem-Solution

Publishers say the price increase is in keeping with the rising costs of printing, along with the expenses related to paying textbook writers, graphic designers and fact-checkers.... The best and most fair solution for everyone when it comes to textbook pricing is to move away from physical printed and bound books to electronic and downloadable texts.... et there are a lot of roadblocks when it comes to finding a cheaper, used copy of a textbook....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Effectiveness of Copyright Law in Modern Internet Age

In this paper, 'Effectiveness of Copyright Law in Modern Internet Age' the author discussed the effectiveness of copyright law preventing infringement in piracy in a modern internet age.... As with the increasing use of the internet, the issue of copyright infringement has also become a major issue of the era....
40 Pages (10000 words) Dissertation

Japans Censorship or a Way to Maintain Neutrality

In the paper 'Japan's Censorship or a Way to Maintain Neutrality' the author analyzes the Japanese textbook controversy, which dates as far back as the 1950s.... Ever since the beginning of the controversy, it has represented a struggle between progressive (the left) and conservative (the right) minds.... Ever since the beginning of the controversy, it has represented a struggle between progressive (the left) and conservative (the right) minds....
12 Pages (3000 words) Assignment

Should Parents Censor Textbooks and Other Literature for Children in Schools

It is the debate as to how this should best be done, and whether interventions are needed, justified or legal, that remains the subject of controversy for some.... Most parents leave the role of teaching their children such subjects as math and language, science and history to schools.... There may be some parents, who decide to limit the literature to their children.... There may however be parents who have particular views on certain topics and want their children to hold the same views, political or religious, as they do themselves....
19 Pages (4750 words) Literature review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us