Is teaching Manifest Destiny straight racist or what?

Question

It's the belief that white men have some kind of God given destiny to rule the whole world? Hmm that's what the Muslims believe aint it?

HISTORY is just that HIS-Story (from the white prospective). Know wonder so many whites have a warped since of dominance. We glamorise presidents that raped slaves and fathered black babies. The goverment gave syphillis shots to black Tuskeegee soldiers. White people getting credit for black inventions, On and on.If u want the truth, tell the whole truth. Don't glamorise one race. That won't be in your little Board of Ed. school books!

Answer 1

Manifest Destiny is the belief that AMERICANS have some kind of God-given destiny to grab land and set up camp. It seems racist because white people were the ones doing this in history. Schools don't teach that manifest destiny is what WE should strive for- it's simply teaching the concept so students can understand the reasoning behind the settlers' actions. Obviously great class discussions can take place to discuss the pros and cons of this idea. These discussions usually include the negative effects MD had on Native Americans and other racial minorities. Don't worry- teachers aren't acting like everything we did in our country's history was a-okay. At least I don't. My 3rd graders know that when the Constitution was made "with liberty and justice for all" that slaves existed and women couldn't vote.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Well, personally, I beleive Manifest Destiny is one philosphy that relates to the white American's mindset during this time period. Whether it's racist or not, I'm not going to say. However, if you teach history, and you feel strongly about this, teach the subject, but bring in other mindsets and opposing views of the time. Tell your students that this is not something they need to personally believe in, but it creates a fuller picture of the time period they study, and it helps them relate to the events that followed from this mindset.

I feel that students should have the full picture of our history, but remember, not every student is going to agree with your viewpoints about this time. Try to stay objective, and if your students ask your opinion, ask them to see you after class to explain your personal opinion.

Answer 5

Manifest Destiny is a phrase that expressed the belief that the United States had a mission to expand, spreading its form of democracy and freedom. Advocates of Manifest Destiny believed that expansion was not only good, but that it was obvious ("manifest") and inevitable ("destiny"). Originally a political catch phrase of the 19th century, "Manifest Destiny" eventually became a standard historical term, often used as a synonym for the territorial expansion of the United States across North America towards the Pacific Ocean: Not white men controlling the world. you have your facts wrong.

Answer 6

I am sorry you feel this way. Obviously you have a grudge or something against history. It is true that early American history books that were written by the "educated" white popluation. (Remember, education used to be a white only deal and even then, most people only went to school until about 5th grade before working!) This is not to say it is right but it is to say that is how societies as a whole work. The dominant class, whether that classes race is white or simply a different African tribe, controls HOW history is taught in schools.
If you look at RECENT textbooks (believe me, I have!) they are must better at including other races and not being simply white, ethnocentric texts as you are claiming. When I taught history, I always tried to bring in different perspectives from different cultures. They are out there, you simply have to look for them!
Unfortunately, in America, too many people are like this person asking the question. They condemn factual history because it is ethno-centric when, in fact, that is HOW IT WAS IN HISTORY! History is a fascinating topic! I have read hundereds of journals of Anglo-Saxons (whites), African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Hispanic-Americans. That is where TRUE history is learned, from primary sources. However, middle school and younger high school students are NOT CAPABLE of reading and interpreting these historical gems without having a basic understanding of history IN CONTEXT! That is what we as high school history teachers try to do. Put it in context with the times it happened. Believe me, when you teach US History to a group of inner-city, African-American youth, it is very difficult to help them understand the trials of non-whites in America. Most of that difficulty comes from their parents and grand-parents holding a grudge against slavery and believing that the "white man" owes them something. This line of thought holds back intelligent young men and women all the time! They get complacent and lazy when it comes to study. How do I know? I have SEEN IT and dealt with IT!

My advice is to re-read your history texts and put it in context with the time period it is about! Don't try to use history in today's context it doesn't work.

Answer 7

Yes to what all the folks above have said.

I would add that ascribing a policy that you have already described as racist to a particular ethnic or religious group is certainly prejudicial, if not racist.

Answer 8

Listen carefully, this endless war of your both countries is just ARRONGANCE from BOTH SIDES!! One side claims that the other side has false scriptures, and the other side claims THEY have false scriptures. so they are causing a HUGE WAR, they might just be the cause of a WWIII for RELIGION.

Answer 9

that MIGHT be the case for the CONCEPT

TEACHING a concept that affected HISTORY is NOT.

Are you gonna start burning history books too?

Answer 10

that doctrine is historical fact, as is the hanging of witches in Salem. Its truth or falsehood is not in in the debate, unless you put it there.