LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Friday, October 22, 2010

Loudoun schools remove textbook that claims black soldiers fought for South

Breaking news.

Presumably, she says cautiously, this is just the first of many Virginia school districts to do so.
Evidently the embarrassment of national front page and cable talk shows was too much even for those true born sons of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

However, as the story points out, many districts say they are unaware there's been 'controversy.'  This is also stated:

A state official said yesterday that the book was approved by the Department of Education without the input of a single historian or content specialist.

2 comments:

K. said...

Don't read too much into it. Loudon County (my brother lives there) is the northernmost county in Virginia. It teemed with Union sympathizers during the Civil War and nearly stayed in the Union with West Virginia.

In other words, a long-time outlier. It's still possible -- even likely -- that the other Northern Virginia counties will join them, but don't hold your breath about Chesterfield (Richmond) and other points further south.

Foxessa said...

K -- thanks so much for that information, though it also is kind of depressing, as you know.

Love, C.