Behind The Lies My Teacher Told Me

The 'Code Switch' episode 'Behind The Lies My Teacher Told Me' begins with James Loewen, a sociologist and former teacher, reflecting on his teaching experience at Tougaloo College, a historically black college in Mississippi. Loewen recalls an eye-opening moment when he realized his students had a deeply flawed understanding of Reconstruction, believing that African Americans had taken over the government post-Civil War and mismanaged it, necessitating white intervention. This revelation highlighted the pervasive misinformation about American history, particularly regarding race relations and the contributions of African Americans. Loewen’s dismay at the miseducation of his students inspired him to take action by co-writing a more accurate and inclusive textbook titled 'Mississippi: Conflict and Change' in 1974. Despite positive reviews and the book's candid approach to topics like slavery and civil rights, the Mississippi State Textbook Purchasing Board rejected it, deeming it racially inflammatory. Teachers who attempted to use the book faced threats of dismissal, prompting Loewen and his colleagues to sue the board. A pivotal moment in the trial occurred when board member John Turnipseed justified the rejection by expressing concern over the book's content, particularly a photograph of a lynching. The judge, however, challenged Turnipseed's logic, pointing out the importance of acknowledging historical truths.

The lawsuit concluded in Loewen's favor, and the textbook was briefly adopted in Mississippi. This experience led Loewen to write 'Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong,' a book that critiques the way history is taught in the United States. Published in 1995, it has sold over 2 million copies. The episode features a conversation between NPR education correspondent Anya Kamenetz and Loewen, where they discuss the ongoing relevance of his work, particularly in the context of the Trump presidency and the importance of distinguishing facts from opinions in historical education. Loewen emphasizes the need for students to engage with history critically and understand that progress is not automatic. He also criticizes the boring and settled presentation of history in textbooks, which discourages critical thinking and active citizenship among students.