

Textbooks and Holy Books feat. Steven Monacelli & Dr. Michael Phillips
15 snips Feb 26, 2025
Dr. Michael Phillips, a historian focused on racism in Dallas, and Steven Moncelli, an investigative reporter on extremism, delve into how school history varies widely by state. They discuss the influence of Texas textbooks, including the downplaying of slavery and controversies surrounding educational narratives. The guests illuminate the role of evangelical figures in shaping political ideologies within education, the battle over critical race theory, and the intertwining of religion and politics in Texas schools.
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Backlash Against Progress
- The US has become more diverse and accepting of LGBTQ+ people, reflected in education.
- This progress triggered a backlash, particularly after Obama's election and the rise of the Tea Party.
White Supremacist Textbooks
- Pre-civil rights textbooks were white supremacist, portraying Confederates as heroes and abolitionists as terrorists.
- This narrative influenced films like "Gone with the Wind" and "Santa Fe Trail."
Distorted Reconstruction Narrative
- Textbooks from the 1880s-1960s portrayed Reconstruction as corrupt and emancipated African Americans as lazy.
- A 1924 textbook even praised Mussolini, reflecting a broader anti-democratic sentiment in the US.