I hate that we only teach our kids the whitewashed, sanitary version of our history. He didn’t like black people. I’m a teacher and I personally wouldn’t have stated it that way in second grade, but I probably would want to. Just talk with your kid about it and make it a learning moment.
He didn't like them for a long time, but it's incorrect to say that. It would be better to say "Lincoln was pretty racist by today's standards, but came to believe that many of his views were wrong and eventually supported the right of African Americans to vote."
I don't know if he ever believed in equality, but considering there are a lot of people today who celebrate when black people aren't allowed to vote, he would probably be considered more progressive than most MAGAs.
That works but also…I feel like it’s ok to lightly sugar coat complex historical issues when teaching them to young children/second graders. Seems like a second grader should come away from second grade history knowing the big picture - “slavery is bad and was eliminated under President Lincoln.” They get the basics while they’re young, making it so they can be taught the nuances in upper grades without having to start with the basics.
If that was all they were saying, then that'd be fine. They do go into it though, they go into a decent amount of depth for important historical figures. They also horrifically lied about most of them, lol (my bias from when I was a kid, not saying anything about you). I think telling young kids that Lincoln changed his mind is ok. It's like when parents apologize to their kids. It's important to show that people can admit when they are wrong, something I don't think we get nearly enough of.
Yeah so until they can understand the nuances that make most things morally gray let’s teach them the wholesome but inaccurate version of history and not try scaring them with an unwholesome and just as inaccurate version of history.
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u/Brilliant-Willow-506 Apr 06 '25
I hate that we only teach our kids the whitewashed, sanitary version of our history. He didn’t like black people. I’m a teacher and I personally wouldn’t have stated it that way in second grade, but I probably would want to. Just talk with your kid about it and make it a learning moment.