Who Owns History - The Texas Textbook Controversy by Wheeler and Becker - Essay Example

Apart from the protest, public comments and also hearings have played a part in deciding what students in colleges will be learning as their history. (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 354). It has necessitated an action to be taken by the Texas Board of Education in deciding what to give to the students and what to live out. It has brought such a heated debate amongst people from all fields. Many people are insisting that only a few segments of history should be taught to students. Therefore, it should include the role played by capitalists in the American economy and nation-building, and the role played by the military in their respective fields. In addition, roles played by Christians and their faith, and the last should be the role played by republican figures. (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 361) If these changes are effected, it means that even the other states will be affected by the same. Texas as a state buys millions of books each and every year. They also make sure that their publications are of high standards, and this makes other states willing their books. They also review their curriculum once every ten years, in accordance with the Texas educational standards. The voting line, on what to be taught or not, will depend largely on the party lines; this is republicans and democrats. It is because individual parties believe there are aspects that should be shown and others to be left out. There are those who think history in America has been diluted, while others believe that history should just be rewritten. It has, therefore, led to the creation of conservatives and liberals, who at the end of the day have different thoughts and opinions on American history (Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, 371).

 Conservatives are mostly outside Texas, and they are found in states such as California. Their argument is that history should not be changed or rewritten. It will in turn see their history books remain the same as before. Liberals, on the other hand, believe that history changes, and therefore it is good to incorporate some of these changes in our modern history books. In a move to change some parts of history, there was some history that must be modified to accommodate new history. Some of the suggestions include; the replacement of the word ‘slave trade’ with ‘triangular trade’ to drop the evil acts of buying and selling of human beings, and dropping one name of the Enlightenment figures.

Thomas Jefferson whose work pieces inspired many revolutions, America being for Americans are also, proposing reducing the role of Latinos in 'American history (Wheeler and Becker, 376-381). Some anonymous publishers have been quoted saying that for them change is as good as a rest, and so they are willing to go ahead with them. History is important to everyone, and therefore if one is not satisfied with the above-suggested changes, they can go ahead and lobby their states to avoid the changes being affected. It can also go well with not allowing Texas to rewrite the history books. The one thing all of us should know is that a national controversy has resulted and the end results will depend on how we handle it. Regardless of political parties, states, religion as well as the opinions that we hold.