Texas is the second largest state in the union. This means we are the second largest customer to text book publishers. Because of this, Texas' education standards largely set the precedent for the entire country. The Texas School Board recently agreed to implement a revised curriculum. They are ultimately injecting far-right and fundamentalist propaganda into history books.
Joseph McCarthy was a US Senator who had a large part in fueling cold war hysteria. In fact, the term McCarthyism was named after him. Wikipedia defines McCarthyism as the "politically motivated practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence". In short, he started the trend of accusing political opponents of being Soviet agents. Thousands of U.S. citizens (mostly workers' union activists, people in the entertainment industry, and academics) were accused of being communist. Many people lost their jobs. Many people were "blacklisted". A lot of people had a very bad time because of cold war hysteria, and McCarthy is largely to blame. The Texas School Board decided that we should portray their Republican friend McCarthy in a more positive light.
The Texas School board has decided that the word "capitalism" should be eliminated from text books. They are to replace it with the term "free enterprise system". They think "capitalism" has a negative connotation. Cynthia Dunbar said "Let’s face it, capitalism does have a negative connotation. You know, capitalist pig."
Doublespeak is a term for changing words to bypass unwanted meaning. Instead of "firing" someone, we "lay off" employees, or "downsize" a company. Our culture is full of "political correctness" and euphemisms. Doublespeak plays a central role in the novel Nineteen Eighty-four. The Texas School Board has taken us one step closer to that type of dystopic society. For what reason? They say this makes text books more "pro-American," but I strongly disagree. Changing the name of our economic system to shake off the sting of a anti-capitalist slur once used by Soviets is very anti-American.
Thomas Jefferson is widely regarded as the most influential philosopher in United States History. He played a key role in the founding of the country. He WROTE the Declaration of Independence. He coined the term "separation of church and state" (which is probably why the conservatives in the Texas School Board don't like him). The Texas School Board has decided to take him off the list of people whose philosophy inspired the American Revolution. In his place, they now include Catholic philosopher (from the 11th century, a completely different era), and John Calvin, another religious figure. Calvin IS an important figure, who was set the stage for religious freedom in the United States, but he doesn't even come close to being able to take even half of Jefferson's place.
They banned classic childrens' book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdHCYgO9zh8) because author Bill Martin's political views. Banning books is overtly anti-American. Especially when it's for such a ridiculous reason. Brown Bear, Brown Bear is absolutely no threat to the children of Texas.
What does all of this mean? Well, it means that if things don't change soon, we're headed to a very authoritarian-type state. We're headed to society where 51% of people can take away the rights of 49%, which is what the Founding Fathers were afraid of. Propaganda should not be included in curriculum. This is not a unilateral problem. Democrats are pushing just as much propaganda to our youth. Things need to change. We need to become more active. Go to school board and city council meetings. Write to your representative. Even if your opinion is unpopular and no one wants to hear it, make your voice heard before we get to the point where people are being sent to jail for thought crimes.
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
- Mark Twain
