White History Month.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Eyerollers are an inferior race! We must annihilate them for the good of Germany!

*opens fire with machine gun*

[Mkuki]

I find it rare that coverage of African-American history in schools is extended beyond the big names (MLK, GWC, Malcolm X, etc.) and big events (Slavery, ACW black units, Civil Rights Movement, etc.). Rarely are people like Marcus Garvey deeply discussed and analyzed.

The above is why I think Black History Month has trivialized African-American history. Rarely, in my experience (as regrettably anecdotal it is), is African-American history truly looked at and discussed. A video here, a light discussion there and your done. It's disappointing.

I think that applies to history in general. Even big things like WWII are not analyzed very insightfully unless you study them independently or at a good college.

It would seem that way. Even I, as great a historian as I am , didn't know that Australians and New Zealanders (?) fought with the United States in the Vietnam War until a few years ago.

[Olthar]

Every month is whire history month.

[Vazdania]

Every Month is every race month. Everyday since blacks were first brought here on slave boats, has it been black history month. Each day is part of a history month and I CAN'T STAND SEEING AN ENTIRE PEOPLE'S HISTORY BEING RELEGATED TO A SINGLE MONTH. ITS INSULTING.

[Nazi Flower Power]

I think that applies to history in general. Even big things like WWII are not analyzed very insightfully unless you study them independently or at a good college.

It would seem that way. Even I, as great a historian as I am , didn't know that Australians and New Zealanders (?) fought with the United States in the Vietnam War until a few years ago.

It's OK. I didn't know that either.

[Vamtrl]

Every Month is every race month. Everyday since blacks were first brought here on slave boats, has it been black history month. Each day is part of a history month and I CAN'T STAND SEEING AN ENTIRE PEOPLE'S HISTORY BEING RELEGATED TO A SINGLE MONTH. ITS INSULTING.

On a scale of 1-10, tell us how angry you are.

[The USOT]

[
I find it rare that coverage of African-American history in schools is extended beyond the big names (MLK, GWC, Malcolm X, etc.) and big events (Slavery, ACW black units, Civil Rights Movement, etc.). Rarely are people like Marcus Garvey deeply discussed and analyzed.

The above is why I think Black History Month has trivialized African-American history. Rarely, in my experience (as regrettably anecdotal it is), is African-American history truly looked at and discussed. A video here, a light discussion there and your done. It's disappointing.

That seems more like an issue with the american use of it rather than black history month as a whole. It was done rather well I believe through my education.

1. I think there's a reason for that. Roman (and Greek) civilization have had a greater direct impact on Western thought and law than the Persian empires ever did. It doesn't help that the Greeks under Alexander ended up wrecking them.
2. Another reason I can think of for this historical ignorance is that history, at least in American schools, and the related social studies aren't as heavily emphasized as science classes or math classes. Also, the general perception of history being linear, unfun, and rigid (rather than being nonlinear, exciting, and dynamic) could also be one reason for such ignorance.
3. If people are using movies like 300 to justify their personal opinions then the movies are, most likely, not the problem or point of origin of said opinions.

1) Im not sure that is properly the case... I mean much of the monotheistic tradition comes from Persian Zoroastrianism both in its implicit cross cultural exchange with the Jewish peoples and its later interaction with the rise of christianity in the Roman Empire. Theologically we are far more "Persian" in the west than we tend to be pre-monotheist european.
2) I do find this often an issue with how history is taught. My highschool history teacher (who I had the honour of meeting again recently actually) was wonderful for this. When we would learn of something like the Mcarthyist witch hunts in the US, he would decorate the class to look like an american court and teach us as if we were part of a trial. Really brought the history alive...
3) I am not neccesarily blaming those people or saying there is anything wrong with them. In short we all have to learn of cultures from somewhere and often movies are big part of that.

I will. I, personally, like the teaching styles of John Green, Hank Green, and CGPGrey. Some of the more well known of the YouTube education people.

Ever watched Crash Course?

I have! I have watched every episode of it to date and adore it!
It is wonderful, but only as an introduction to the different ideas that the topics raise (I shall stick to history for the point of this conversation). It is all well and good for instance discussing that Napoleon set the trend for many dictators to come, but it doesnt discuss the deep historical debate over Napoleons influence as a "law bringer" for much of feudal europe and the influence the napoleonic code still has on modern european legal traditions.
They are certainly wonderful, but there purpose (which they do well at) is at introductions or literally as a crash course into the ideas rather than understanding the cultures and questions of history in depth.
I do wish they would have made more of the crash course world history series too =/ I feel like another coldwar episode dealing in life in the 2nd world during the cold war could have been interestingly done, especially Johns history as an ex marxist.

[Vazdania]

Every Month is every race month. Everyday since blacks were first brought here on slave boats, has it been black history month. Each day is part of a history month and I CAN'T STAND SEEING AN ENTIRE PEOPLE'S HISTORY BEING RELEGATED TO A SINGLE MONTH. ITS INSULTING.

On a scale of 1-10, tell us how angry you are.

3

[Mkuki]

That seems more like an issue with the american use of it rather than black history month as a whole. It was done rather well I believe through my education.

Like I said, history isn't that well emphasized here in the states.

1) Im not sure that is properly the case... I mean much of the monotheistic tradition comes from Persian Zoroastrianism both in its implicit cross cultural exchange with the Jewish peoples and its later interaction with the rise of christianity in the Roman Empire. Theologically we are far more "Persian" in the west than we tend to be pre-monotheist european.
2) I do find this often an issue with how history is taught. My highschool history teacher (who I had the honour of meeting again recently actually) was wonderful for this. When we would learn of something like the Mcarthyist witch hunts in the US, he would decorate the class to look like an american court and teach us as if we were part of a trial. Really brought the history alive...
3) I am not neccesarily blaming those people or saying there is anything wrong with them. In short we all have to learn of cultures from somewhere and often movies are big part of that.

1a. Ah, but religion/spirituality isn't the only origin of a cultural group. I wouldn't say that Persian philosophy or law or scientific thought were particularly influential on the upbringing of western civilization. I'd say that honor goes to the Greeks and the Romans.
1b. The fact that it was the Romans who mass adopted Christianity as the official is probably another reason why they, and subsequently the Greeks, get precedence over the pre-Islamic Persians. It's not like schools are allowed to focus on the theological history of Christianity. Although, I doubt schools would be particularly keen on emphasizing the Zoroastrian origins of the Abrahamic religions given that many people don't believe that the Zoroastrians had much of, if any, effect on the Hebrews.

2. Sounds cool. I prefer lectures (as boring as they can be), but that does sound cool.
3. Unfortunately, anti-intellectualism is a big thing in some areas over here in the states.

I have! I have watched every episode of it to date and adore it!
It is wonderful, but only as an introduction to the different ideas that the topics raise (I shall stick to history for the point of this conversation). It is all well and good for instance discussing that Napoleon set the trend for many dictators to come, but it doesnt discuss the deep historical debate over Napoleons influence as a "law bringer" for much of feudal europe and the influence the napoleonic code still has on modern european legal traditions.
They are certainly wonderful, but there purpose (which they do well at) is at introductions or literally as a crash course into the ideas rather than understanding the cultures and questions of history in depth.
I do wish they would have made more of the crash course world history series too =/ I feel like another coldwar episode dealing in life in the 2nd world during the cold war could have been interestingly done, especially Johns history as an ex marxist.

1. John was a former marxist? Whoa.
2. I wish they did, too. More in-depth discussion is needed. Maybe we should riot.

[The Republic of the Monarchy of Angus]

Just treat every day as White History Day! I do!
It gives me an opportunity to remind myself that white people did terrible, terrible things to other peopleafter doing it to themselves worse and often for longer. without ever having to experience it themselves.
That white people bought slaves legitimately from their previous owners in a time where white slaves were common and treated just as bad ripped slaves kicking and screaming from their homes, while all whites lived in two-story homes and ate Roast Beef every day.
That white people went to places and saw (in their admittedly closed minds) people living in grass huts without any evidence of the things that Europeans took as civilisation (writing, buildings, the wheel), and without any way of conversing with the natives to establish a link, decided to colonize the land, suffering casualty after casualty in the harsh lands they found. saw gleaming cities of the indigenous tribes and decided, in their infinite malice, to crush and destroy their well-documented and rich cultures.

[The USOT]

1a. Ah, but religion/spirituality isn't the only origin of a cultural group. I wouldn't say that Persian philosophy or law or scientific thought were particularly influential on the upbringing of western civilization. I'd say that honor goes to the Greeks and the Romans.
1b. The fact that it was the Romans who mass adopted Christianity as the official is probably another reason why they, and subsequently the Greeks, get precedence over the pre-Islamic Persians. It's not like schools are allowed to focus on the theological history of Christianity. Although, I doubt schools would be particularly keen on emphasizing the Zoroastrian origins of the Abrahamic religions given that many people don't believe that the Zoroastrians had much of, if any, effect on the Hebrews.

2. Sounds cool. I prefer lectures (as boring as they can be), but that does sound cool.
3. Unfortunately, anti-intellectualism is a big thing in some areas over here in the states.

1) True, and im not saying that we are culturally persian here in the west. Persian philosophy and its interplay with greek philosophy is however a lot looser than many would think. Popular point in refference to this would be both the cultural artifacts and traditions brought back by the macedonian greeks after alexanders conquests (with much of the roman warrior cults absorbing persian traditions) and many of the then "persian" lands had what would have been considered greek citizens at the time. So a fair few greek city states and traditions were within persian territory.
1b) Whilst I understand why people would be inclined to beleive otherwise (because it harms a lot of the ideas within the abrahamic tradition) I think historically it should be accepted as fact that Zoroastrian culture influenced Jewish traditions, and considering the earlier polytheism of the Jews I think for many historians this is a given.

2) I too am a fan of lectures. But this was back in highschool, and we dont tend to do proper lectures at the highschool level in the UK.
3) So I have heard =/

1. John was a former marxist? Whoa.
2. I wish they did, too. More in-depth discussion is needed. Maybe we should riot.

1) It is admittedly an inference on my part. When he keeps talking to his younger self he keeps mentioning marxist rhetoric and still acts funny around pictures of Marx, something I have noticed many ex marxists do. Not that him being a marxist when he was younger is anything impressive, many people are XD I think Churchill even once described himself as a socialist during his youth.
2) Viva la revolution!

[Union Of Canadorian Socialists Republic]

Let's get rid of all months devoted to racial history.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Let's get rid of all months devoted to racial history.

Let's just get rid of months entirely.

[Mkuki]

1) True, and im not saying that we are culturally persian here in the west. Persian philosophy and its interplay with greek philosophy is however a lot looser than many would think. Popular point in refference to this would be both the cultural artifacts and traditions brought back by the macedonian greeks after alexanders conquests (with much of the roman warrior cults absorbing persian traditions) and many of the then "persian" lands had what would have been considered greek citizens at the time. So a fair few greek city states and traditions were within persian territory.
1b) Whilst I understand why people would be inclined to beleive otherwise (because it harms a lot of the ideas within the abrahamic tradition) I think historically it should be accepted as fact that Zoroastrian culture influenced Jewish traditions, and considering the earlier polytheism of the Jews I think for many historians this is a given.

2) I too am a fan of lectures. But this was back in highschool, and we dont tend to do proper lectures at the highschool level in the UK.
3) So I have heard =/

1aa. Really? I knew there were some shifts, but I figured it was mostly one way (Greece to Persia). How naive. This is what I get for preferring post-Rome history, I guess.
1ab. Another thing I think is important to consider is that Iran (Persia) is portrayed as "East", a term that sends-uh-shivers down the spines of many Americans. Whereas Rome and Greece are portrayed as "West", a term that might as well be as delicious as pizza to most Americans. It's that damn Cold War mentality.
1b. Most def.

2. We probably didn't, either.
3.

1) It is admittedly an inference on my part. When he keeps talking to his younger self he keeps mentioning marxist rhetoric and still acts funny around pictures of Marx, something I have noticed many ex marxists do. Not that him being a marxist when he was younger is anything impressive, many people are XD I think Churchill even once described himself as a socialist during his youth.
2) Viva la revolution!

1. That's disappointing. I was hoping for secret manifestos written in underground Marxist newspapers worshiping Marx and Engels as gods.

[Union Of Canadorian Socialists Republic]

Let's get rid of all months devoted to racial history.

Let's just get rid of months entirely.

Damn months with their tricky names. It's a conspiracy I tell you! October is the tenth month? Nonsense!

[Byzantium Imperial]

Let's just get rid of months entirely.

Damn months with their tricky names. It's a conspiracy I tell you! October is the tenth month? Nonsense!

Lets get rid of weeks and days while we are at it. Too many dam numbers for convienence. Minutes and hours arnt particularly useful either....

[Latinorium]

Just treat every day as White History Day! I do!
It gives me an opportunity to remind myself that white people did terrible, terrible things to other peopleafter doing it to themselves worse and often for longer. without ever having to experience it themselves.
That white people bought slaves legitimately from their previous owners in a time where white slaves were common and treated just as bad ripped slaves kicking and screaming from their homes, while all whites lived in two-story homes and ate Roast Beef every day.
That white people went to places and saw (in their admittedly closed minds) people living in grass huts without any evidence of the things that Europeans took as civilisation (writing, buildings, the wheel), and without any way of conversing with the natives to establish a link, decided to colonize the land, suffering casualty after casualty in the harsh lands they found. saw gleaming cities of the indigenous tribes and decided, in their infinite malice, to crush and destroy their well-documented and rich cultures.

[Mushet]

Just treat every day as White History Day! I do!
It gives me an opportunity to remind myself that white people did terrible, terrible things to other peopleafter doing it to themselves worse and often for longer. without ever having to experience it themselves.
That white people bought slaves legitimately from their previous owners in a time where white slaves were common and treated just as bad ripped slaves kicking and screaming from their homes, while all whites lived in two-story homes and ate Roast Beef every day.
That white people went to places and saw (in their admittedly closed minds) people living in grass huts without any evidence of the things that Europeans took as civilisation (writing, buildings, the wheel), and without any way of conversing with the natives to establish a link, decided to colonize the land, suffering casualty after casualty in the harsh lands they found. saw gleaming cities of the indigenous tribes and decided, in their infinite malice, to crush and destroy their well-documented and rich cultures.

Nevermind the peoples of Mesoamerica or Andes their sprawling metropolises don't deserve to be mentioned cuz they were full of brown people

[Mushet]

Some teachers and schools are biased/mind-washing and purposefully remove some important reflecting points of History narratives that are fair to more diverse voices in it and contemporary societies. Or they are just too Eurocentric to self-criticize.

If teachers are not teaching properly, you replace the teacher. You don't have "x history month".

Further more, the complaint about "eurocentrism" I find to be a silly complaint. As most history classes either are (1) the history of your own nation, or (2) global history, of course it's going to be eurocentric. What else would you expect it to be? They're teaching history on a grand scale. European cultue and philosophy has had more of a global political impact than any other culture. Further more, just like how they have in-depth studies for your own country of origin, taking foreign language classes often coincide with cultural studies as well. It's not as if they don't teach this stuff. They just force what they think is important, and leave open what might interest you.

Oh please, the main reason Europeans have come to be as powerful as they are now is because a particularly assholish one got lost, stumbled upon a different continent and set the tone for centuries of filthy invaders from Europe crippling nations with diseases enabling them to plunder their wealth, this plunder gave them the edge to then subjugate Africa and the rest of the world. Still, African, Asian and Native American cultures have comparable marks to that of Europe, and Europe would be much worse off without them.

[Lost heros]

Every month is whire history month.

Whire history? What is the history of these whires?

[Nervium]

Every month is whire history month.

Whire history? What is the history of these whires?

Dho yhou whealy whant tho knhow?
This thread is getting Dr. Seussy...

Poor Olthar made a spelling mistake, she obviously ment white history month, she's right you know.

[Valendia]

If teachers are not teaching properly, you replace the teacher. You don't have "x history month".

Further more, the complaint about "eurocentrism" I find to be a silly complaint. As most history classes either are (1) the history of your own nation, or (2) global history, of course it's going to be eurocentric. What else would you expect it to be? They're teaching history on a grand scale. European cultue and philosophy has had more of a global political impact than any other culture. Further more, just like how they have in-depth studies for your own country of origin, taking foreign language classes often coincide with cultural studies as well. It's not as if they don't teach this stuff. They just force what they think is important, and leave open what might interest you.

Oh please, the main reason Europeans have come to be as powerful as they are now is because a particularly assholish one got lost, stumbled upon a different continent and set the tone for centuries of filthy invaders from Europe crippling nations with diseases enabling them to plunder their wealth, this plunder gave them the edge to then subjugate Africa and the rest of the world. Still, African, Asian and Native American cultures have comparable marks to that of Europe, and Europe would be much worse off without them.

Actually it has more to do with Eurasians having more geographically favorable conditions like their continent being on an East-West axis, access to better crops, and a greater number of domesticable species.

Sorry, channeling Jared Diamond.

[Vault 1]

Oh please, the main reason Europeans have come to be as powerful as they are now is because a particularly assholish one got lost, stumbled upon a different continent and set the tone for centuries of filthy invaders from Europe crippling nations

The United States didn't amount to much until WWII and had little impact on the rest of the world till WWI.

By which time the European civilization has long been dominant.

And if America hadn't been discovered, the modern equivalent of United States would simply be elsewhere.

[Lost heros]

Whire history? What is the history of these whires?

Dho yhou whealy whant tho knhow?
This thread is getting Dr. Seussy...

Poor Olthar made a spelling mistake, she obviously ment white history month, she's right you know.

I know. I'm just teasing her.

[Ethel mermania]

well....

i areas where whites are not the predominate culture, like asia, africa, or south america, it might make some sense.

but in europe. austrtalia, or the US, no point.