It must be that time of year again. Politicians on the right are lining up to censor history— specifically, what texts can be used in the classroom. And, once again, they’re pulling out their copies of Howard Zinn, shaking them in the air, and decrying writers who challenge their triumphalist versions of U.S. history. This time it’s the president—a person who, I can say with relative confidence, has never read more than a few pull quotes from the book.
Read MoreA representative collection of online reports and responses to emails by Mitch Daniels about Howard Zinn, Charles Little, education, reform, curricula, and academic freedom.
Read MoreKnowledge is not neutral. It brings responsibility and has consequences, especially in a democratic society. Professional expertise in history means that scholars have a duty to shape discourse and influence politics. They have a fundamental role to play in educating and working with the citizenry and in shaping and critiquing policy decisions--not in spite of their professional roles, but because of them.
Read More
