In school

sorenbarrett

When I was young I was taught Columbus discovered America
America wasn't the name and Indians didn't come from India
Didn't tell us about the government we stole from the Iroquois and Seneca
We weren't told we infected them with smallpox and chlamydia

They didn't mention that, at ten, George Washington owned slaves
Lincoln gave us income tax, started the Civil War
Forgot to mention Japanese in interment camps, had soldier sons in graves 
We were taught to memorize and not explore

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Comments14

  • arqios

    I had the very same textbooks and lessons 🙏🏻🕊️

    • sorenbarrett

      My teacher insisted that there was no history before America was discovered and it was unimportant where Columbus came from. Thanks for the read and comment my friend. Oh yes some of the pages had been torn out of those textbooks they said something about redacted.

      • arqios

        A history of revising, that’s to be expected., 🙏🏻🕊️

      • Teddy.15

        Indeed they only share what they want us to know, most interesting and brilliant eye opening and reflective piece. Brilliant 🌹

        • sorenbarrett

          Thanks so much my friend for the read and comment as always it is most appreciated. Yes some is due to ignorance, some to control and manipulation.

        • Lorenz

          Universal shadow zones ...

          • sorenbarrett

            Thanks Lorenz appreciate the read and comment.

          • David Wakeling

            Wow history can be horrific. I never studied history at school and I'm glad.This poem is enlightening

            • sorenbarrett

              Thanks David for the read and comment it is as always appreciated

            • Doggerel Dave

              Precicely Soren. What is History? certainly the most contestable of the Social Sciences. And the most interesting.....

              • sorenbarrett

                Thanks Dave for the read and comment appreciated as always.

              • Poetic Licence

                If Americans were told the truth of how America came about and whoose blood it was built on, it might be a better country today , powerful and to the point write, enjoyed

                • sorenbarrett

                  Thank you so much I appreciate the read and the support. Your words mean a great deal.

                  • Poetic Licence

                    You are very welcome

                  • Tristan Robert Lange

                    "Hey teachers, leave us kids alone". A certain song started playing in my head and, even though the double negative in "we don't need no education" causes all sorts of debate, the overall warning of institutional brainwashing comes starkly through...in that song as it does in this poem. Well done on this piece, Soren. A much needed poem in a culture that seems destined to double down in its whitewashing. Sad...but true. 🌹👏 A fave for its importance let alone the stark truth it bears.

                    • sorenbarrett

                      Thank you so much Tristan. Yes I remember well Pink Floyd The wall. It was always one of my favorite concept albums. Appreciate the read and comment.

                      • Tristan Robert Lange

                        You are most welcome, my friend!

                      • Tony36

                        Great write

                        • sorenbarrett

                          Thanks Tony

                          • Tony36

                            You're welcome

                          • hzugman

                            Right on. If the propaganda were eliminated from public education, students would learn much much more. Manifest Destiny indeed. A little Howard Zinn history would go a long way. Well done.

                            • sorenbarrett

                              Thank you so much for the read and comment it is always appreciated.

                            • Salvia.S

                              Powerful poem!!

                              • sorenbarrett

                                Thank you Salvia I appreciate your read and comment

                              • Neville


                                Damn right .. there are so many untruths and injustices we are introduced to and repeatedly indoctrinated to accept without question .. School has such an awful lot to answer for .. I'm firmly in your corner with this one sir sorenbarrett .. Neville

                                • sorenbarrett

                                  Thanks Neville for the read and words of support they are appreciated as always. School taught me not to believe everything I read or am told.

                                • rebellion_in_sanity

                                  One of the most powerful introspective poems I have ever come across. Granted that my readings are quite limited, still it's pure gold. Btw this poem has an universal appeal as I suspect the history of many countries have been shaped by acceptable narrative and not facts.

                                  • sorenbarrett

                                    Thanks so much for the read my friend your comments are always valued and your support highly appreciated

                                  • Cassie58

                                    We grow wiser with age and learn that not everything taught in school is based on fact. Indoctrination comes to mind, and that applies to universities too. Best do your own research to try and find some balance.

                                    • sorenbarrett

                                      Thanks so much Cassie for your read of this piece and your most kind and supportive comment.

                                    • Kevin Hulme

                                      Yes, I know what you mean.
                                      When I was in School, History was just about the Romans in Britain: Nothing else . It was only when I left I read History books and discovered more .
                                      Teachers can be a bit ‘One Sided’ in matters. Good Write.

                                      • sorenbarrett

                                        Thank you so much for the read and comment they mean a great deal.



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