American Brainwash

If you grew up in the U.S. - do you feel the history you were taught was incomplete?

In kindergarten I learned the song "This land is your land..."

The song made me feel like the whole U.S. was for everyone. The song doesn't mention the land was occupied for 40,000 years before the English arrived.

In fourth grade I learned the history of the U.S. trafficking humans from Africa. I didn't learn in grammar school that in America there were many white slaves called indentured servants. I also didn't learn in grammar school that indigenous native American's were sold as slaves.

Another area I was mis-lead is that the U.S. government uses the term "Indian" for people who are not Indians, but indigenous Native Americans. The reason our government and our society has decided to call indigenous Native American's "Indians" is because if the correct term term was used, the non-indigenous would constantly be reminded that this land was stolen from the original owners.

We are bombarded with the term 'race' as if there are just 3 races (or 4, or 6 or 30) in the world and everyone can check a box to fit into one of those categories.

Here's the poetic truth: There is one race - the human race.

Here's the scientific truth: There is one human species - the human species.

Here's the anthropological truth: There are no races - only clines.

What is a clien? It means subtle variations. In this case it means subtle variations based on geographic differences within a species.

What important information do you feel was missing in your childhood education?