A Noble Idea

A close friend of mine has tired of the empty celebrations that surround the July 4 holiday in the United States.  He feels it would be better if we observed the nation's birthday by studying the democratic ideals that shaped the country and the people who originated them.  Perhaps then we might have better reasoned political debates than the current debacles we face. 

Given the fact that history is woefully given short shrift in too many American schools, his idea may be a sound one.  It is time we realized that learning is too important to entrust solely to our schools.  When we consider such nonsense as a North Carolina state "educator" and curriculum designer seriously suggesting that the NC high school American history curriculum should include only events dating from 1877, we realize how important it is for each of us to learn and teach.  Students in North Carolina--and everywhere--deserve better.  To accept such a responsibility is empowering...and humbling.  It could even be fun to devise clever and entertaining methods of bringing history to life:  plays, readers theatre, contests, music, etc. 

It is important to remember that the founding fathers did call for public celebrations, including bonfires and other commemorations, so we certainly shouldn't rob July 4 of its joyful and communal atmosphere.  But surely we can find a better way to glorify our history than simply setting off firecrackers.