I Was Lied By My History Textbooks | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

This Is Not The Great America I Learned About In Elementary School

I learned about a great America in my English class, but it was all lies.

116
This Is Not The Great America I Learned About In Elementary School

Growing up as a kid, I used to listen stories of what a great country the U.S. is. I heard how the U.S. had jumped in the middle of wars to end and save the world. How mighty and strong the country was. But, when I moved to the U.S., I learned that almost everything I've heard were just lies told by the white men.

To reiterate, I'm from a small country in Central America -- Honduras. The school I attended was bilingual, but most of my classes were in English. Even my history class was in English. And since there were no history of my country in English, we learned American history. We learned of the country that offered freedom and equality, the country many people escaped to for a better life.

I learned about its presidents, it's tribulations and how it overcame them; I learned about its wars; its "fight for justice and equality."

But when I moved to the U.S., many of the things that I was taught turned out to be a lie. This country was not the mighty country that I had learned about in my history class. There was no freedom. No equality.

The oppressed have been fighting for years, and the U.S. only gives in small portions to try to appease the masses for short periods of time. Instead of actually dealing with its issues, it only makes them worse.

The U.S. is a country full of prejudices and imbalances. Nobody is equally equal. We're all "equal" to a certain extent. Those with power are the ones who dictate how we are equal and how we aren't. Today, the U.S. has stressed that the importance of an undeveloped ball of mass is more important than its carrier.

Women have been stripped of their rights with the intention of "saving future doctors and engineers." This new abortion laws show the lack of balance of power, and it shows who is the one that truly controls the country.

Trans people have been stripped their right to serve their natal country.

Stereotypes still haunt many communities that aren't purely white, villainizing them. Making people believe that they don't belong here unless their skin is white like snow, and eyes blue like the sky.

And now, a new bill has been proposed that will offer "merits-based visas" to immigrants where their English proficiency and certain skills of them will be tested to see if they are "eligible" to reside in the U.S. But the underlying purpose of this is to kill the flame of people immigrating to the U.S. This new immigration policy was meant to foster fear and insecurities among the immigrant community.

The rules are blind to the actual problems we face in the country, but instead, they only try to focus on what will benefit them.

As sad as this may sound, sometimes I wish I hadn't moved to the U.S. because many of my dreams and expectations have been broken to really small pieces, and I won't try to piece them back because it would only result in me turning my head away.

And that is not what we need to do during this time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190339
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14977
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457918
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26667
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments