How does the American Public Education system portray Karl Marx?
I think that overall, the American public education system portrays Karl Marx in a very negative light. They portray his ideas is the same negative light. The history books used in public schools try to suggest that Russian and China, after having adopted the titles of socialist and communist tried to practice, and succeeded at practising communism. The American media portrays dictatorship (a failed attempt (if it could even be called an attempt) at communism) as successful communism. This is completely untrue and is highly unfair to those who support socialism. In addition to having confused socialism or communism with dictatorship, the American media also portrays socialism as the equivalent to communism. Of course, I cannot simply blame the American media, it is, after all, up to the people to decide what they believe and to research information on their own.
I agree that in Public education, Marx and his ideas are often criticized and made out to be evil or completely ignored. As far as my own education, I remember his name being mentioned and that he had connections to communism and then he was never mentioned again. I never had to read any of his writings or look closely at his theories.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that when it comes to education, our society tends to be very gullible. We listen, without doubt, to our teachers, friends, family, or even television, to information and never think twice to question it. We absorb information like it is the absolute truth. When it comes to international dealings, this mindset sets people, and the country, up for humiliation. We can come off as ignorant and extremely biased.
It would seem that the public school systems are given a curriculum that makes it so they either skip over Marx or use him as an example as someone who was evil. However, I remember in school learning both the pro's and con's of Marxism. I think it would be pivotal for educators to distinguish Marxist government from communism and socialism. I do agree that we can't just blame the school systems it's important for the students themselves to go out and learn more.
ReplyDelete