Researchers say banned words, subjects lead to 'thin' history textbooks
Submitted on September 24, 2003 - 12:00am.
Ruxandra Giura - Fall 2003
WASHINGTON - Major publishers tell writers to be careful about using the words “America” or “American” because they suggest “geographical chauvinism,” or the word “brotherhood” because it is sexist.
These are just some of the common words that Diane Ravitch, historian of education at New York University, found to be banned from history textbooks across the United States.
Ravitch and three other witnesses described what they said were woefully inadequate history textbooks to a Senate committee Wednesday.
Gilbert Sewall, director of the American Textbook Council said, “Textbook content is thinner and thinner, and what there is, is increasingly deformed by identity politics and pressure groups.”
These are just some of the common words that Diane Ravitch, historian of education at New York University, found to be banned from history textbooks across the United States.
Ravitch and three other witnesses described what they said were woefully inadequate history textbooks to a Senate committee Wednesday.
Gilbert Sewall, director of the American Textbook Council said, “Textbook content is thinner and thinner, and what there is, is increasingly deformed by identity politics and pressure groups.”
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