Only Four New Jersey schools wanted framed pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for their schools

I am watching C-Span 3 this week-end which includes subjects on American history.

I thought I'd write a little blurb on what I thought was a sad commentary on our education in America at this time.

The conference which I am watching is being put on by the Pioneer Institute (I believe in Boston). Much of the conference is highlighting the teaching of World War II in our schools.

One of the speakers was a Holocaust survivor, Izzie Arbeiter. What a horrendous life he lived as a Jew under the Nazi regime. He went through hell for 5 years. The story about the death of his father and brothers was heart wrenching. Izzie has dedicated his life to talking about the Holocaust as his father wanted him to do as he was marched off to his death. Izzie likes to talk to students and schools as they are the future leaders of our country. The adage of Izzies's is, "If you don't know your history, you are destined to repeat it."

What I thought was sad, (although to a much lesser extent of course than the atrocities talked about by Izzie) centers on another issue brought up by a speaker at the conference.  A picture of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hung on the wall next to the blackboard in our schools for many generations. These pictures have been removed from classrooms all over the nation.

I did not catch the name of the man who offered to frame thousands of pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, one each for every classroom in New Jersey. What a noble and worthy cause, however, only four teachers(or schools?) took him up on his offer which I think is a sad commentary on where we are at in our education systems. 

Not acknowledging our past by hanging up pictures of our American heros and leaders could be just one reason why our students lack the necessary history to score well on our school standard tests.

"To not teach about Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, etc. is a huge problem for our students. These students are our next generation's leaders. If they do not have a good grasp of history they will be sheep. If the history of great men and women is not being taught we are in trouble. We need to have a chronological history. The sense of contingencies is not being taught and therefore is a big problem. I like to think of visual aids and art projects."

 

These comments (paraphrased) above are by Paul Reid, author of a book on Winston Spencer Churchill.

For more information go to pioneerinstitute.org

 

Later:  It is my opinion, having had three children graduate from Hellgate High School, that we have many good teachers that take it upon themselves to educate our students about many of the atrocities of World War II. Some teaches show the movie, "Schindler's List", a movie about World War II.

 

edited on September 8, 2015