In the annals of education, certain moments arise that leave the sensible majority shaking their heads in disbelief. A recent display of intellectual gymnastics from a so-called educator falls into that category. The description of a “kind” form of human sacrifice by the ancient Incan civilization as some sort of benevolent act is mind-boggling, not to mention terrifying. Suggesting that offering up children and elite volunteers to freeze atop a mountain after drugging them is comparable to receiving a spa treatment is a repulsive distortion of history.
This questionable interpretation from an educator highlights a concerning trend in academia where historical atrocities are glossed over or reinterpreted under the guise of cultural understanding. Perhaps, for some, this is an attempt to appear more sophisticated or worldly, but in reality, it distorts our understanding of the past. Facts are facts; sacrifice, however purportedly polite, is still a tragedy. The suggestion that being told about these historical practices reveals one’s “white education” seems a desperate attempt to shift blame rather than an honest grappling with history’s darker chapters.
The notion that these sacrifices were voluntary, with elite members nobly stepping forward, requires a stretch of imagination bordering on absurdity. The history lesson here should emphasize the harsh realities these civilizations faced rather than romanticize their rituals. Furthermore, when children are involved, the willingness of any participant should be irrelevant to any right-thinking society. Sacrifice, voluntary or not, cannot erase the inherent cruelty of the act itself.
These outlandish claims represent a broader issue within progressive circles: the tendency to over-contextualize historical events until their moral outlines all but disappear. Rather than recognizing the brutal inhumanity of Incan sacrifices, some individuals would have us believe it’s simply another cultural nuance worth appreciating. This is how academic discussions end up prioritizing political correctness over common sense.
Future generations must be taught the real lessons of history, without dressing them up in the garb of pseudo-sophistication. Historical accuracy must remain paramount, and attempts to sugarcoat or glamorize past atrocities do a disservice to us all. This particular educator’s views should serve as a wake-up call to parents and administrators alike—this is not the kind of thinking we want to shape young, impressionable minds. It’s time to put truth and common sense back into education.
