Chapter 11, Who Owns History The Texas Textbook Controversy found in Essay

Chapter 11, Who Owns History The Texas Textbook Controversy found in Wheeler, Discovering the American Past, Volume II, 7th edition (pages 349-384) - Essay Example (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 354). It as necessitated an action to be taken by the Texas Board of Education in deciding what to give to the students and what to live out. It has brought such a heated debate amongst people from all fields. Many people are insisting that only few segments of history should be taught to the students. Therefore, it should include the role played by capitalist in the American economy and nation building, role played by military in their respective fields. In additions, roles played by Christians and their faith and the last should be the role played by republican figures. (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 361) If these changes are effected, it means that even the other states will be affected by the same. Texas as a state buys millions of books each and every year. They also make sure that their publications are of high standards, and this makes the other states willing their books. They also review their curriculu m once every ten years, in accordance with the Texas educational standards. The voting line, on what to be taught or not, will depend largely on the party lines; this is republicans and democrats. It is because individual parties believe there aspects that should be shown and others to be left out. There are those who think history in America has been diluted, while others believe that that history should just be re-written. It has, therefore, led to the creation of conservatives and liberals, who at the end of the day have different thoughts and opinions on American history (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 371). Conservatives are mostly outside Texas, and they are found in states such as California. Their argument is that, history should not be changed or re-written. It will in turn see their history books remain the same as before. Liberals, on the other hand,