Countdown to Independence Day; #9 Return America’s exceptionalism to the schools

Over the next several days leading up to Independence Day I will be posting the 10 steps that must be taken to preserve our great nation and the principles it was established on.  Each day will cover one of the steps as they appear in my book Liberty Inherited.  It is my hope that, in some small way, I can get Americans to start thinking of what they are on the verge of throwing away.  Today's posting covers step number #9.  I recommend reading the previous posts for step #1 through 8.  Please note that any additional comments that I add to the original text will be in italics.

9. Return America’s exceptionalism to the schools

As exposed, America’s exceptionalism has been slowly removed from our schools. Although most Americans sense that there is something special about our country, very few know what makes it so. This is because they were never taught it.  It is truly the history lesson that all Americans should have had but never received. Instead of educating our students on European political philosophies we need to be teaching first and foremost the philosophy that was at the heart of this country until the progressive movement began its campaign to erase it. Americans of all ages need to have well-founded pride in their country but instead our children are being educated to loathe it. By focusing on America’s imperfections, rather than comparing it to its contemporaries, American children are receiving a biased and unjustified view of the nation and its history. It is time that our children are given a more realistic and balanced view of America and her role in the world.  This is not indoctrination for it is based on historical fact, which makes it education.

As I have always stated, I will put America (and for that matter the British Empire) up against any of its contemporaries.  What I will not do is put it up against some ideal of perfection.  Yet, by focusing on what America has done wrong, this is exactly what many schools across the country do.  They focus on America's history of slavery or the oppression of the Native-Americans.  It is true that both of these events (as well as others) are black spots on America's legacy.  But it must be remembered that all societies are comprised of people...imperfect people.  Therefore, any society that has any history at all will have black marks on its record.  As I explained in my book, many bad and horrible actions were done by and in the name of the British Empire.  By today's standards it was barbaric, racists, and oppressive.  But compared to its contemporaries it was very enlightened and civilized.  This is the same for the United States.  While not perfect, it has been the best system man has ever devised.  By removing the chains of bondage it has allowed man to use his creativity and intelligence to their full potential.  And, overall, the world has benefited from its example.  

What many fail to recognize is that before the United States there was no such thing as human rights.  In fact, the Human Rights many take for granted originated with the rights of Englishmen that the original patriots fought for.  This is the lesson schools need to be teaching.  Not only is it accurate but it is also more realistic since it does not compare America to some impossible standard of perfection.