Why is History cast aside as a worthless subject? History has a weird way of repeating itself, yet everyone seems so surprised with the events taking place in our world today. The leaders of this world – governmental and educational – are so consumed with Math, Science, Engineering, and Tech. Don’t get me wrong, these subjects are important, but we can’t diminish history. We need History to help us understand the social changes and national events taking place in our world today.
My inspiration for this piece are the photos of students participating in peaceful walkouts across the United States, and the comments and negativity associated with those photos. As educators we find ways for students to have a voice, encourage students to change the world, and encourage students to take risks and “put themselves out there.” These peaceful protesters weren’t being compliant and staying in class. This gets educators, and outside observers, all hot and bothered. As educators, why is it necessary to get offended ultimately sending mixed signals? This is where History can help us understand the situation.
Take for example our Founding Fathers. We often glorify them and see them as a bunch of cool, old dudes that revolutionized this country. Not so fast…..do you know the ages of some of these revolutionaries? When the Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, 1776, here are the ages of some these founding fathers (courtesy of Business Insider):
- Andrew Jackson, 9 (at age 13 – wanted to fight for independence and was captured by the British)
- (Major) Thomas Young, 12
- Deborah Sampson, 15
- James Armistead, 15
- Sybil Ludington, 15
- Joseph Plumb Martin, 15
- Peter Salem, 16
- Peggy Shippen, 16
- Marquis de Lafayette, 18
- James Monroe, 18
- Charles Pinckney, 18
- Henry Lee III, 20
- Gilbert Stuart, 20
- John Trumbull, 20
- Aaron Burr, 20
- John Marshall, 20
- Nathan Hale, 21
- Banastre Tarleton, 21
- Alexander Hamilton, 21
- John Laurens, 21
What if someone told these guys to be compliant? Where would our country be today without the ideas of 15-21 year olds? These Founding Fathers are around the age of many student protestors who wish to change the world and make it a better place. Let students have a voice. Throw away your compliance mindset, and realize how history can help us understand the event as taking place in our world.
Moler's Musings 