For more than half a century, students in American classrooms have been spoon-fed a narrative of self-loathing, steeped in half-truths and outright lies. They’ve been told that America is a land of oppression, founded by villains, and that they should feel guilty for the past. Let’s face it, the educational system has been like a broken record player — playing the same tired tune of America the villain, America the oppressor. Isn’t it about time we set the record straight?

First, let’s talk about slavery. It’s the favorite subject of self-proclaimed ‘historians’ with an agenda. Yes, slavery existed in America, but here’s what they don’t tell you: it was not invented here, nor was it solely our burden to carry in the sands of time. Those pointing fingers often forget to mention that many of the slaves sold to American traders were sold by fellow Africans and Arab traders. But, of course, acknowledging this undermines the tidy narrative that the evils of the world were born and bred in American soil.

Let’s also take a glance at the portrayal of Native Americans and colonialism. Our schools passionately describe native tribes as peaceful, innocent communities that fell prey to savage colonialists. However, history shows us that these tribes were often in conflict with one another long before Europeans ever set foot on this land. Life before colonial arrival wasn’t the utopian paradise current textbooks suggest. But nuance isn’t welcome in classrooms driven by guilt politics. It’s more convenient to paint America as the marauding villain, because who needs context when you have a good versus evil story, right?

Furthermore, the notion that colonialism is the root of all evil needs a serious re-evaluation. Colonialism brought with it new technologies, agricultural practices, and ideas that contributed to the building of modern societies. Yes, it came with its own set of problems, but painting it as sheer malevolence ignores the complexity of history. Are we to believe that before the arrival of Europeans, the rest of the world was living in harmonious utopia? The truth is that history is far more nuanced, filled with both mistakes and triumphs, rather than this simplistic, one-sided narrative.

Lastly, let’s tackle that infamous “Red Scare.” Joseph McCarthy has come to be seen as a symbol of oppression and paranoia. But let’s not forget, communism posed a genuine threat during the Cold War, seeking to undermine the very freedoms Americans hold dear. Recent revelations from declassified documents prove that communist spies were indeed infiltrating American institutions. Remember, when the warning is real, being alert isn’t a scare tactic; it’s common sense.

In setting the record straight, it’s not about denying history’s darker moments, but bringing balance to how these events are portrayed. The American story is not one of perfect heroes and irredeemable villains. It’s about a nation that has faced its flaws and fought for its ideals, a nation that should be celebrated, not vilified. The next time someone tries to feed you the same tired narrative, ask them to dig a little deeper. Our young people deserve the full story — warts and all.