Miscellaneous
If you listened to last week’s podcast, you learned about the 1619 Project. A dangerous narrative that was developed by The New York Times in 2019. History teacher and pontificator Tucker Wright will continue discussing the two different viewpoints. Episode #12 will continue the discussion with Tucker Wright of The 1619 Project, and the antidote to this narrative, The 1776 Commission.What is The 1619 Project?As we continue the discussion let us begin by reviewing the points of how important a narrative can be. Narratives are stories and how we make sense of many events. Each of us creates narratives for our lives (one big failure or one constant work in progress). How we got married. How we got our first job. Our sophomore year in college. All are part of narratives. Now let us look at how this narrative applies to students in American schools.1619 Project’s Antidote: The 1776 CommissionNow if I could pivot back to American history here. No one is denying that we’ve had some major mess-ups, errors, and tragedies throughout our history. Absolutely. We’re not running from that. But if we look at these struggles, injustices, tragedies, etc. through a different lens, we are much more encouraged and walk away with an accurate view of what America is all about. The 1776 Project is an education commission that was proposed by President Donald Trump to support his view of “patriotic education”, and to prepare for and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Trump announced the new commission in a speech on September 17, 2020, in which he stated that a “twisted web of lies” regarding systemic racism was currently being taught in U.S. schools, calling it “a form of child abuse.”On November 2, the day before the 2020 United States presidential election, Trump officially established the commission by executive order. Trump established a 20-member group serving a two-year term appointed by the president, and is to write a report on “core principles of the American founding and how these principles may be understood to further enjoyment of ‘the blessings of liberty.’” This will not be accomplished by using the 1619 Project. If you want to teach children to love their country, honor their history, and respect the flag, teach them the truth about American history. Don’t gloss over the errors and injustices. Acknowledge them, but point out that they were obstacles that this great nation overcame, just as many of you have struggles in your life that you had to conquer. Doesn’t mean you’re an awful person.Resources:Paul Kengor, The Devil and Karl Marx: Communism’s Long March of Death, Deception, and InfiltrationLarry Schweikart and Michael Allen, “Patriot’s History of the United States”1619 Project/PragerUPrager UniversityMore Interesting Podcast like 1619 Project and the Antidote to this Narrative, The 1776 CommissionThe 1619 Project: A narrative that will destroy students love for AmericaConservative Educator PodcastFaith Friday #1 | God Has A Purpose of Good Even When Bad HappensMoney Monday #7: Shutdown Continues And BabylonBee Provides HumorAnti-American Leftists Want Shutdown to Continue Just To Win in November