Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Rhiannon12866

(203,010 posts)
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 02:49 AM Aug 2020

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - U.S. History



John Oliver takes a look at how the history of race in America is taught in schools, how we can make those teachings more accurate, and why it’s in everyone's best interest to understand the most realistic version of the past.


14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - U.S. History (Original Post) Rhiannon12866 Aug 2020 OP
K & R. Dark n Stormy Knight Aug 2020 #1
I agree that this was one of his best, though it's not directly related to breaking news Rhiannon12866 Aug 2020 #2
problem Snoopy 7 Aug 2020 #3
Excellent point, different states have different views and agendas Rhiannon12866 Aug 2020 #5
I can't praise this episode enough nuxvomica Aug 2020 #4
I agree that this was one of his best offerings ever, Rhiannon12866 Aug 2020 #6
I think I'm two episodes behind underpants Aug 2020 #7
I recommend watching this one first. Rhiannon12866 Aug 2020 #8
KICK!!!!! burrowowl Aug 2020 #9
I learned a lot of history LittleGirl Aug 2020 #10
I watched this again tonight, there's so much to take in Rhiannon12866 Aug 2020 #11
I grew up in LittleGirl Aug 2020 #12
I grew up in a pretty diverse community, too, and I was completely unaware of any divisions Rhiannon12866 Aug 2020 #13
I saw racism as I aged LittleGirl Aug 2020 #14

Rhiannon12866

(203,010 posts)
2. I agree that this was one of his best, though it's not directly related to breaking news
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 05:12 AM
Aug 2020

This is a serious look at an important part of our history that, even though we all learn history in school, that's left out, glossed over or misunderstood. Even Joy Behar, who is unusually well informed, had things to learn. We all do.

I've learned to have an appreciation of my 9th grade social studies teacher who brought up subjects we never learned anywhere else and they stuck with me. He made sure we knew who our elected representatives were (they were on the test!) and taught us about aspects of segregation, like how George Wallace remained as governor, despite "term limits." (He alternated terms with his then-wife, Lurleen.) And I remember Viola Liuzzo, a white woman who was murdered by the Klan for taking part in the Freedom March from Selma to Montgomery. The entire history of the Civil Rights Movement (which is STILL taking place) deserves more than a single American History course, but I'm grateful to that teacher for opening the eyes of this 9th grader - and to John Oliver for bringing this up. It's long past due.

Rhiannon12866

(203,010 posts)
5. Excellent point, different states have different views and agendas
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 07:30 AM
Aug 2020

I'm in New York and I can imagine that the views that we received from my excellent 9th grade teacher would be much different in Alabama or Georgia, especially back then.

And, as I said, just the history of the Civil Rights Movement in this country could easily comprise an entire year's course. And even since I was in 9th grade, there's been enough additional history in this country to comprise yet another entire course. Even back then there was enough American history that some major events just didn't make the cut. I've heard that for students now, there's just too much additional history to cover. Perhaps history should be treated like the English classes that I had in 7th grade. We had 2 separate classes with two different teachers - one taught reading and spelling while the other covered grammar. American history, which is essential, could be taught similarly, and even then it would be tough to cover everything and we'd definitely need the right teachers.

nuxvomica

(12,364 posts)
4. I can't praise this episode enough
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 07:28 AM
Aug 2020

Last edited Mon Aug 3, 2020, 08:47 AM - Edit history (1)

From that great quote that should be framed on the walls of every history class, "The less you know about history the easier it is to imagine you'd be on the right side of it" to the s'mores metaphor to Lee Atwater's admission that tax cuts are a coded abstraction of racism, and on and on. And it's very funny too because the truth, especially stark, uncomfortable truths, are the very stuff of good comedy, while it's our falsehoods and illusions that serve up tragedy.

Rhiannon12866

(203,010 posts)
6. I agree that this was one of his best offerings ever,
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 07:52 AM
Aug 2020

And it helps that it comes from an "outside" perspective. And, as I said above, our history is likely to be viewed much differently depending on the state - and don't states determine the curriculum? So an "outside" perspective, with no discernible agenda, is definitely helpful here. Plus, as you said, John Oliver's signature humor helps the truth easier to accept.

Rhiannon12866

(203,010 posts)
8. I recommend watching this one first.
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 08:44 AM
Aug 2020

I think it's one of his best ever and though it addresses history, it relates to what's happening in this country right now.

LittleGirl

(8,261 posts)
10. I learned a lot of history
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 04:31 PM
Aug 2020

reading Howard Zinn’s “The People’s History of the U.S” about a decade ago.
I got so mad reading that book, I had to stop and cool off. I never heard these stories he shared and I was furious that we weren’t taught those things. Of course, reading and hearing about the “The trail of tears” still breaks my heart. I think someone here on DU recommended the book.

Great show this week. Thanks for sharing my friend.

Rhiannon12866

(203,010 posts)
11. I watched this again tonight, there's so much to take in
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 02:34 AM
Aug 2020

Of all the topics he's addressed, I consider this one of his best. There is so much in our complicated history that gets overlooked, not to mention the different POVs depending on where you are and who's doing the teaching. And he's right, all of the issues he addressed are ongoing, none of the civil rights issues we've confronted since the Civil War have ever been put to rest, more's the pity.

And that sounds like an excellent book! Up thread, I mentioned my 9th grade teacher who emphasized civil rights issues and what he had to say stuck with me. I guess I'm lucky that I'm in New York, but that's the only public school class I can remember that covered it - and it was breaking news right then! It took "Eyes on the Prize" to really open mine, though I lived through that time - and it's still going on right now so kudos to John Oliver for addressing it!

LittleGirl

(8,261 posts)
12. I grew up in
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 05:32 AM
Aug 2020

Indiana and there were riots at the football field one night that my older sister was at. My mother was hysterical about it until Sis got home. Probably in ‘69. I know there was a lot of tension in our neighborhood. My dad was worried about us kids, so we moved about a mile away in ‘71. I went to a diverse school and never understood the racism. They were my friends at school but I wasn’t allowed to play with them when we were younger.
Take care Rhiannon.

Rhiannon12866

(203,010 posts)
13. I grew up in a pretty diverse community, too, and I was completely unaware of any divisions
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 05:57 AM
Aug 2020

Nobody ever said anything that I remember, not my parents or my teachers. My Sunday School teacher was black, nice lady, and she was quite friendly with my mother since her little boy was in my mother's class - she taught the youngest kids. My best friend's mother came from Japan, I never thought about it, my grandmother came from Poland, I figured everybody had something. I know now that there were riots in Detroit and D.C., but I never saw any divisiveness in my school or neighborhood. I firmly believe that prejudice must be taught since the kids in my school were just kids - of all backgrounds, but then I live in New York.

LittleGirl

(8,261 posts)
14. I saw racism as I aged
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 06:25 AM
Aug 2020

Because of course, I was a child of the 60s. My grandparents were immigrants from Italy so foreign languages were spoken in my presence. We had black neighbors, Jewish neighbors and old people that I befriended. I guess it’s no surprise that I married a Brit. I wanted to be a translator and work in NY at the World Trade Center. I wanted to travel and my first flight was to Spain with my high school classmates in ‘77. The problem I see is that I have empathy and that seems to be rare amongst the GOP. My sister said to me “I don’t like Black people” about 15 Years ago and I almost slapped her for her ignorance but I’m non violent. We don’t talk anymore. I just can’t.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Video & Multimedia»Last Week Tonight with Jo...