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Home | America | Why I’m adding Zinn’s revisionist history to my homeschool list

Why I’m adding Zinn’s revisionist history to my homeschool list

America, Books, Homeschool Curriculum, Knowledge Keepers, Lists for Homeschooling, Mystery of History

There is history, and there is bias.

There is history, and there is opinion.

There is history, and there is feeling.

Oh, and there is Cultural Marxism.

I’m teaching my children what Cultural Marxism is, and how it has become embedded in what Americans believe about our history. And I’m using Howard Zinn’s incredibly awful People’s History of the United States of America to do it.

As we study the Renaissance in our homeschool and the beginnings of American history, the story of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World arises. Just the name of Columbus triggers feelings of incredulity, self-righteousness, and hostility toward all historic and modern people of European descent. Franky, it’s a mess.

Related post: The Twisted History of Christopher Columbus

As I search for some fun videos for my kids to watch, I’m reminded of just how hard it is to find any mention of Columbus without Howard Zinn’s influence. You know who Howard Zinn is, right? If not, you are still probably aware of his work. He is the one responsible for the Columbus hatred, the destruction of statues, Indigenous People’s Day, and the complete hatred of American history.

It’s now the norm to portray all explorers, colonists, and settlers to the New World as racist, murdering, greedy, white Europeans who wanted nothing more than to exploit the Indians for their wealth (?!) and destroy their lands. (This Captivating History video is a perfect example.) While there were some who were greedy for gain, it was certainly not the majority. And anyone with half a mind to read original sources would already know this.

But as I point out on my Knowledge Keepers blog, Howard Zinn’s narrative has become part of the fabric of America today. People believe what he wrote without ever knowing who he was. He has been that influential.

Since his influence is literally everywhere, I’m teaching my kids how to spot it, and how to know the truth. It’s the same with the true gospel of Jesus (as opposed to many false gospels), Marxism (they need to know what it actually is so they can recognize it), and evolution (they need to know both sides of the creation/evolution debate). Since they live in a world saturated with “America bad,” I will introduce them to the source of that idea alongside the primary sources of American history.

So for our study on Columbus, we are reading Christopher Columbus: His Story and His Journals (which I’ve republished as part of the Knowledge Keepers series), Chapter 1 of Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States (Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress) and Chapter 1 of Mary Grabar’s Debunking Howard Zinn (Columbus Bad, Indians Good).

Columbus’ journal of October 12 and 13, 1492 (Knowledge Keepers)

Zinn’s People’s History of the United States of America
Grabar’s Debunking Howard Zinn

It’s no longer enough to read history; you and your children must be aware of the differences between primary sources and modern revisions. Teach your children the differences. Show them the truth and the lies. If you plan to send your children to any college anywhere, prepare them with these books first. Help them to recognize bias.

If you want to add this to your study of Christopher Columbus, I recommend this for ages 12 and up:

  • Read Christopher Columbus: His Story and His Journals (and check out the free study guide I created)
  • Read Chapter 1 of Zinn’s History
  • Read Chapter 1 of Grabar’s Debunking Zinn

I’ll continue to integrate Zinn and Grabar as we make our way through American history. You can follow along with us here. This will work well with any history curriculum. Remember homeschoolers: you are the master, not your curriculum guide. Be sure to make time for rabbit trails and deep dives. This freedom is one of the best perks of home education!

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August 11, 2023 · Leave a Comment

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Parents, we have a crisis. We have a generation of Americans growing up without any real education in history. We all know it. We laugh at the talk show hosts who interview clueless college students on the street. We cringe a little when they don’t know who won the American Revolution or that World War 1 ever took place. School districts and state boards of education can change the history as they see fit, and they regularly do. Homeschool mamas, don’t get caught up in high school credits. Teach your children the really important things BECAUSE they are the really important things. Christopher Columbus. Let's go there. https://www.instagram.com/p/CxNlZ62rG0L/ Albert Einstein on education: Is this your first year homeschooling? Did you just complete your first week, or first month? Did it go perfectly?? Christian: If the public school curriculum and the public school atmosphere include If you have to ask permission to see the curriculum…if you aren’t allowed to question the library books…if you only get three minutes to speak at a school board meeting…if your school teachers or counselors “affirm” made-up genders…if you are held accountable for actions and the school is not…if your child spends 8-10 of their waking hours at school… What makes a good school? Is it the zip code? Your realtor will tell you so. Is it the size? Parents in small rural areas will enthusiastically say, “Yes!” Is it the teachers who go to church? Is it because they say the Pledge of Allegiance? Is it because it’s private? Is it because the teacher loves her students so much? Please don’t tell me it’s the football team. What is it that really makes a good school?

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